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Obsessional jealousy is jealousy that is characterized by intrusive and excessive thoughts, and may be accompanied by compulsive checking of the partner. It is not classified as a mental disorder in the psychiatric manuals DSM or ICD, but it is mentioned as an example of how obsessive compulsive disorder can present itself.

Presentation

Its characteristics are:

1. Little resistance and distress associated with obsessional thoughts
2. Anger specifically directed at partner
3. Jealousy evident only in a committed relationship
4. Frequently monosymptomatic
5. Frequently responds at lower doses of SSRI
6. Rapid response in comparison with classical OCD

See also

• Pathological jealousy

References

1. Michael Kingham and Harvey Gordon (2004). "Aspects of morbid jealousy". Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 10 (3): 207–221. doi:10.1192/apt.10.3.207.
2. American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. pp. 263. ISBN 978-0-89042-555-8.
3. Obsessional Jealousy – Morbid Jealousy

• Obsessive–compulsive disorder
• Jealousy