Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.358

Jealousy or Something More? Othello Syndrome (Delusional Jealousy) and the Commission of a Criminal Offense – A Case Report

Milena Pernat ; University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
Andrea Botica ; University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
Marijeta Ivandić ; University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia *
Žana Kralj ; University Hospital of Split, Spinčićeva 1, 21000 Split, Croatia
Petra Tokić ; Teaching Institute for Public Health of Split-Dalmatia County, Vukovarska 46, 21000 Split, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Introduction: Delusional jealousy, or Othello syndrome,
is one of the clinical syndromes of persistent
delusional disorder. It is a psychotic disorder
characterized by the presence of delusional
ideas—in this case, the conviction that one’s partner
is unfaithful—as the sole psychopathological
manifestation lasting at least three months. Although
rare, it is an important entity in forensic
psychiatry because of its association with various
forms of violence, most often against the partner.
The aim is therefore to highlight the importance
of recognizing delusional jealousy and making
an accurate diagnosis in perpetrators of criminal
offenses, illustrated by a case report of a man indicted for violence against his spouse. Case report:
A 50‑year‑old man, with no prior psychiatric
treatment, committed the criminal offenses of
domestic violence, bodily injury, making threats,
and unauthorized recording of his spouse. He was
placed in investigative custody in Split and was
soon to be released to defend himself at liberty,
when the judge nevertheless decided to request
a psychiatric evaluation. It was established that
over the previous year he had developed a delusional
belief that his wife was cheating on him,
accompanied by behavior focused on seeking
proof of infidelity and by marked tension, irritability,
and low frustration tolerance, resulting in
outbursts of anger and violent behavior. A brain
MSCT was also requested due to concentration
difficulties, tremor, occasional lack of chronological
precision, and a history of multivessel atherosclerotic
disease, myocardial infarction, and sexual
dysfunction, which supported the suspicion of
cortical atrophic changes as one of the etiological
factors of this syndrome. The forensic evaluation
determined that at the time of the offense he
was not criminally responsible, and compulsory
placement in a forensic psychiatric institution
was ordered. Conclusion: In medicolegal proceedings,
delusional disorder may be overlooked
because the content of the delusions is often not
bizarre, as in this case of suspected spousal infidelity.
Failure to recognize delusional elements in
jealousy as a motive in perpetrators of criminal
offenses can lead to errors in sentencing the defendant
and serious consequences, given the high
risk of recurrent violent behavior in this group of
offenders.

Keywords

Othello syndrome; delusional jealousy; criminal offense; psychiatric forensic evaluation

Hrčak ID:

353119

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/353119

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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