Do schizophrenics get jealous? (3 reasons)

This blog post aims to answer the question, “Do schizophrenics get jealous?” and explores schizophrenia and the traits, behaviours and tendencies of schizophrenics to help understand the answer. 

Do schizophrenics get jealous?

Yes, schizophrenics do get jealous because of the following 3 reasons –

• Delusional jealousy.
• Obsessive jealousy.
• Other mental disorders. 

These 3 reasons why schizophrenics get jealous will be discussed in further detail below after taking a deeper look at what schizophrenia is. 

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental chronic condition caused by a brain malfunction in which the person appears to be immersed in a parallel realm to actual life.

Schizophrenia affects one percent of the world’s population. The sufferer has hallucinations and delusions, which are interpretations of reality distortions that alter how the individual feels. 

It disrupts the victim’s personal life and makes it difficult for friends and relatives to manage and treat the sick. While many people believe Schizophrenia is a multiple personality condition, this is incorrect. 

Schizophrenia is just a loss of thinking from reality, and the victim may appear to live in a fantasy world. The style of imagination people have is frequently tied to the type of surroundings they have experienced or are experiencing.

Schizophrenia may strike anyone at any age. It may be found all over the world, with a variety of symptoms and treatments based on the symptoms. The symptoms usually begin in adolescence but are not severe. Early indicators of schizophrenia include sudden changes in behaviour and mood.

According to Dr. Kailash, the symptoms grow more noticeable as one gets older, and this mental illness must be addressed right away. It becomes increasingly difficult to cure as it becomes more severe.

Causes of Schizophrenia.

There are several elements that contribute to the development of schizophrenia. One or more of the following factors may play a role in the development of schizophrenia –

Heredity.

In the development of schizophrenia, genetics or hereditary factors can play a role. According to Harvard Medical School research, if one of the parents has schizophrenia, the kid is unlikely to develop it as well. However, if both parents have schizophrenia, the kid is more likely to have it (50 percent chance).

Brain function.

Changes in the brain as a result of physical changes, such as puberty, may contribute to the development of this illness. 

Alterations in neurotransmitters like dopamine and glutamate, which cause hallucinations (symptoms of schizophrenia), as well as changes in the brain’s central nervous system, which can modify how the brain operates, can all influence the development of schizophrenia.

Many experts feel that because it is a brain condition, the disease is caused by a change in the brain circuit. According to a study, an issue with brain connection is one of the causes of this disease’s onset. A variety of environmental causes can trigger brain change.

Environmental factors.

The condition is worsened by the environment, which plays an essential part in not only development but also in the progression of the disease. High-stress situations, according to Dr. Kailash, are the most important element. 

Using substances that affect the brain and body, as well as dietary issues and financial difficulties. It is also known to arise as a result of viral interference either before or after birth.

According to a study, micronutrient deficiencies are linked to stress and anxiety. Only one of the factors can result in schizophrenia, but a combination of two or all three can also result in this mental illness.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia symptoms do not appear immediately; they are usually visible in late adolescence, as minor changes in behaviour and family interaction are not noticeable during the adolescent years. There are gradual changes in brain functioning and emotional behaviour.

Early signs include a loss of sleep and a decline in quality of life. It isolates the sufferer from the outside world, and the victim is always worried.

Symptoms are categorized as follows –

Positive symptoms.

These symptoms, sometimes known as psychotic symptoms, are a collection of symptoms that include hallucinations and delusions. The sufferer of hallucination will see or hear things that the mind/brain creates, such as human fantasies or things created by the brain that are not real. 

The sensation of someone touching their body or smelling something that does not exist in reality. Delusion causes the sufferer to believe erroneous or incorrect statements that are not true.

Catatonia is a psychotic symptom in which the body refuses to move and remains in a fixed position or posture.

Negative symptoms.

It simply refers to the absence of normal behaviour. It involves a lack of energy, a loss of ability to communicate, and a lack of sleep. 

It is characterised by a lack of emotions and a lack of enjoyment from life. It causes the victim to lose interest in his or her family and personal life, as well as their feeling of grooming.

Cognitive symptoms.

The symptoms associated with memory are referred to as this. It makes it harder for the victim to concentrate and diminishes their ability to focus. 

It has a negative impact on memory and decision-making abilities. The difficulty with working memory worsens, making it difficult to put new information into practice.

Other signs that point to the existence of such disorders include –

• Continually repeating similar acts for an extended period of time.
• Randomly speaking without understanding what they are saying.
• For no apparent reason, I’m penning things that have no significance.
• It’s difficult to strike up a social discussion.
• In an imagined environment, quickly switching between multiple thoughts at the same time.
• Difficulty in dealing with situations or a proclivity for forgetting things.
• Unexpected shifts in attitude and temperament.

What are these 3 reasons why schizophrenics get jealous?

Delusional jealousy.

Schizophrenics are jealous, and this can lead to illusions of jealousy. Jealous delusions are caused by a mental illness known as delusional jealousy, which has links to other mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and personality disorders. 

People who suffer from jealous delusions have an illogical feeling that their spouses have been unfaithful, and these delusions can even lead to violence. 

However, if a mental health professional has established a correct diagnosis of delusional jealousy (and other delusional illnesses), therapy for delusional jealousy (and other delusional disorders) can be beneficial.

People who suffer from delusional illnesses have beliefs, convictions, or experiences that contradict reality. These concepts may include aspects of reality or be completely fictitious. In either case, real-world evidence cannot be used to refute them, even when such evidence is plentiful.

Delusional jealousy (also known as morbid jealousy) is a sort of delusional condition in which people believe their spouses or intimate partners have been unfaithful. 

Delusional jealousy is very harmful by nature: it may wreak havoc on cherished relationships and, in some cases, lead to obsessive or even violent behaviour.

Without mental health therapy, jealous delusions are unlikely to go away, and anybody whose jealousy has become pathological or illogical should be assessed by a psychiatrist or psychologist who has dealt with delusional illnesses. 

The following are some of the signs that may suggest the existence of jealous delusions –

• Hypervigilance is directed towards the love partner, always on the lookout for evidence of malice.
• Frequently interrogating a partner’s actions in accusing tones
• Interfering with the partner’s social media accounts or surreptitiously examining them to discover who they’ve been interacting with
• Concerns about who the spouse is talking to on the phone or writing to in emails
• Looking through the things of the other person for proof of infidelity
• Trying to “catch them in the act” by surprising the spouse at work, at home during unexpected hours, or in other places.
• Attempting to restrict the partner’s outside activities, potentially to the point of holding them captive.
• Emotional blackmail is used to exert influence over a partner’s behaviour.
• Keeping the partner away from his or her family and friends
• Despite the evident issues produced by envy, blaming the other person for all the troubles in the relationship.
• An inability to comprehend the absurdity of jealous illusions, regardless of how much evidence is offered to disprove them.
• If the abused partner tries to end the relationship through stalking or other indicators of obsession, the partnership will be terminated.
• Threats of violence, as well as real violence, are directed toward the partner.
• Self-harming behaviour, including suicide attempts

Delusional jealousy may be detrimental to the health and safety of individuals who are the target of the delusions in its most extreme form, and the police or the courts may be called in to help if things get out of hand.

This is a worst-case scenario that won’t apply in most cases, but if jealous delusions aren’t handled before they worsen, there is a serious chance of tragedy.

Obsessive jealousy.

Delusional illnesses are a kind of psychotic disease that should be treated with the seriousness that designation implies. Obsessive jealousy is a disorder that affects certain people who experience signs of severe and persistent jealousy. 

They may not believe their spouses have been unfaithful in the past, but they perceive the threat of infidelity as constant and suffer from severe anxiety as a result of their worries.

People with delusional jealousy, unlike those with obsessive jealousy, are positive that their partners have already been unfaithful, either lately or in the not-too-distant past, and their thoughts and behaviour reflect this unwavering belief. 

If left untreated, delusional jealousy leads to possessive, controlling, distrustful, explosive behaviour and a growing feeling of despair.

Other mental disorders. 

While delusional jealousy is a mental health disease in and of itself, persons who have previously been diagnosed with the following are more prone to have jealous delusions.

Anxiety disorders.

Jealous delusions are a symptom of profound insecurity and low self-esteem, and these psychological realities aid in the development of anxiety disorders.

Schizophrenia.

Several investigations have proven a link between jealous delusions and schizophrenia.

Personality disorders.

Delusional jealousy has symptoms with two personality disorders in particular: paranoid and borderline personality disorders.

Brain injuries or diseases.

Huntington’s illness and Parkinson’s disease, as well as brain traumas, can produce delusional behaviour in some people.

Substance use disorders.

Morbid jealousy was observed by 34% of persons with alcohol use disorders in one research.

Jealous delusions may appear to be a lonely disorder at first glance. However, they frequently serve as a warning indicator of more serious mental or behavioural health issues.

Extreme jealousy frequently leads to possessiveness, and relationships including these characteristics are more likely to result in physical attacks, stalking, harassment, or even worse. 

Approximately 55 per cent of women murdered are slain by current or former domestic partners, with acute jealousy playing a role in many of these cases.

The majority of persons who suffer from delusional jealousy do not resort to violence. Even if things don’t escalate to this degree, jealous delusions are an indication of mental illness that should not be overlooked for the benefit of all parties concerned.

The good news is that if persons suffering from jealous delusions are sincerely committed to seeking relief from their suffering, outpatient and inpatient treatment programmes for delusional illnesses can help them overcome their mistrustful and controlling impulses.

Antipsychotic drugs, as well as individual and family therapy, can be used to cure jealous delusions, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is highly suggested for those who need to learn to perceive themselves, their life, and the world more realistically.

Delusional jealousy, as well as the other illnesses that may be associated with it, may all be treated. The first step on the path to recovery is to get evaluated for delusional jealousy and any co-occurring illnesses, and being willing to change is what allows therapy to work.

Conclusion – 

This blog post aimed to answer the question, “Do schizophrenics get jealous?” and reviewed schizophrenia and the traits, behaviours and tendencies of schizophrenics to help determine if schizophrenics get jealous. Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions or comments you may have.

References –

Somasundaram O. (2010). Facets of morbid jealousy: With an anecdote from a historical Tamil romance. Indian journal of psychiatry, 52(3), 284–288. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5545.71007. Retrieved from  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2990838/#:~:text=As%20schizophrenia%20and%20affective%20disorders,to%20suffer%20from%20delusional%20jealousy.

Ortigue, S., & Bianchi-Demicheli, F. (2011). Intention, false beliefs, and delusional jealousy: insights into the right hemisphere from neurological patients and neuroimaging studies. Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 17(1), RA1–RA11. Retrieved from  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3524690/

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Pathological jealousy. Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (2022, March 3). Retrieved from  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pathological_jealousy

Jealous Delusion. ScienceDirect. (n.d.). Retrieved from  https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/jealous-delusion

Silva, J. A. e al. The Dangerousness of Persons with Delusional Jealousy. (1998). Retrieved from  http://jaapl.org/content/jaapl/26/4/607.full.pdf

Kataoka, H. & Sugie, K. Delusional Jealousy (Othello Syndrome) in 67 Patients with Parkinson’s Disease. (2018, March 7). Retrieved from  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2018.00129/full

Delusional Disorder. Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Retrieved from  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9599-delusional-disorder

Delusions and Delusional Disorder. WebMD. (2020, December 13). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/delusional-disorder