Common Jealousy vs. Pathological Jealousy – Is There a Difference?

Jealousy can significantly impact a relationship, making it one of the most common yet challenging issues couples face. When someone is jealous, they often perceive situations without knowing if they are real, leading to multiple problems and negatively affecting the relationship. If you’ve never experienced such jealousy but are now facing it, it can be a life-altering situation. Jealous thoughts can become obsessive and irrational.

It is common for couples to experience jealousy, but it can become toxic and lead to severe consequences. If you notice that your partner is unjustifiably jealous, it is best to discuss it openly to resolve the issues.

Often, a partner’s jealousy stems from their own self-doubt. When a person lacks self-trust, trusting others, especially their partner, becomes difficult. This distrust may result from childhood trauma or previous relationships and can worsen if not addressed. It is crucial for such a partner to seek help, as untreated jealousy can develop into a pathological condition – meet the celotype.

What is Pathological Jealousy?

Pathological jealousy, or “celotype,” is a psychological disorder where a person is convinced their partner is unfaithful without any real evidence. This condition often starts when the person misinterprets an event, leading to illogical and incoherent thoughts. A person with celotype exhibits extreme control over their partner, including monitoring their phone and other activities.

Common Jealousy vs. Pathological Jealousy

Common jealousy arises from fears of losing a loved one or conflicts over work or friendships. It is frequent but usually manageable. In contrast, pathological jealousy has a severe social impact, interfering with daily routines and leading to obsessive monitoring of the partner.

Symptoms of Pathological Jealousy

Pathological jealousy can cause severe consequences, including violence and aggressive behavior. The jealous partner might call excessively to check on their partner, monitor their location, and act in a controlling manner. These behaviors indicate a toxic and obsessive level of jealousy that requires timely intervention.

Identifying a Jealous Partner

If your partner starts displaying controlling behaviors, creating irrational ideas of infidelity, or obsessively checking your social networks and phone, these could be symptoms of pathological jealousy. Other signs include emotional dependence, personality changes, reluctance to share social environments, and a tendency to exclude themselves from your friends and family.

Can Excessive Jealousy be Treated?

Excessive jealousy can be treated depending on its severity. Mild jealousy can often be managed through open communication and mutual understanding. However, if jealousy becomes obsessive, seeking help from a mediator or psychologist is crucial. Timely treatment can prevent violence and restore trust in the relationship.

Symptoms of Jealousy

Common symptoms of jealousy include controlling social networks, high distrust, disapproval of the partner’s friends, checking the partner’s clothes for signs of infidelity, controlling behavior in public, suspicion when the partner dresses up, distrust of friends regardless of gender, mood swings, arrogance, and frequent accusations of infidelity.

Causes of Pathological Jealousy

Several factors can contribute to pathological jealousy, including:

• Fear of being alone: A person might fear loneliness, leading to depression or panic at the thought of not being with their partner.
• Low self-esteem: Insecurity and lack of self-confidence can cause a person to doubt themselves and their partner.
• Previous bad experiences: A history of being deceived in a past relationship can lead to distrust in a new one.