Obsession - The Adverse effect of being obsessive with, or overly possessive of someone.

Delusional Jealousy is amenable to treatment. Being evaluated for this disorder is the first step on the road to recovery.

"Obsessive passion is more of a threat to a relationship than no passion at all." I had inadvertently and impulsively read this to myself. 

Ohhh! Pardon me! An introduction should come first, right? Anyways, I'm Olamide Adeyemi. I'm 27. I work as an accountant, with the Central Bank of Nigeria. I've been through a whole lot! And here's my story.

You must be wondering and so skeptical about who said the quoted words mentioned above. Yeah, it's from a book. I'm reading a book recommended to me, by my Clinical psychologist. It's a book you will always love to read again if you ever enjoy reading.  

"A psychology of passion: A dualistic Model" is a book written by a great psychologist - Robert Vallerand. I feel the phenomenal psychologist had me in mind, while he wrote this book. He had written it to me. It's a book I wouldn't mind reading continually, for months, to get a thorough grasp of all he'd written down!. Robert's Phenomenal, really.

I have been undergoing therapy - psychotherapy, and currently taking Antipsychotic medication - Aripiprazole. I was diagnosed with Delusional Jealousy, by a friend of mine; who is a clinical psychologist.

I used to be in love! I used to be overly possessive of my fiancee. I never knew I was extremely obsessive. I had thought it was Love, but I was proven wrong by the doctor. I had gone to see the Doctor on a Saturday; I went against my will, I had gone there because my friend forced my way there - I'm glad he did. Adewewa - my fiancee might have told him about me; she has always complained about my being too possessive of her.

"Mr Dayo, you've been suffering from a disorder, called DELUSIONAL JEALOUSY. Delusional Jealousy is a subtype of Delusional disorder, that usually develops due to fear that a spouse or partner is being faithful.

These doubts may be unfounded and can cause great damage to the relationship. The sufferer usually goes to greater lengths to try to find evidence of the partner's alleged "affairs" and may resort to a third party such as a private detective to find such evidence. Studies have shown that this form of delusion is more common in men than in women. It is sometimes called _morbid_ or _pathological_ jealousy. This disorder is very unlikely to disappear without mental health treatment, and anyone whose jealousy and obsession have become so irrational should be evaluated by a _clinical psychologist_ or a _psychiatrist_ - Specialist who has experience dealing with this disorder.

Some signs and symptoms of Delusional Disorder may include:-

• Frequent questioning of the partner's behaviour, in an accusatory tone.

• Paranoid over who the partner is speaking with during phone calls.

• Trying to surprise the partner at work, home, during unusual hours, or other locations to “ catch them in the act".

• Finding it difficult to end the call with your partner, even after several hours of talking about all that's and is not necessary to be discussed.

• Trying to completely isolate partners from families and friends, by making calls and visiting unusually.

• An inability to grasp the irrationality of the jealous delusions, no matter how much evidence is presented to prove them false.

• Threat of violence to, or actual violence directed against the partner.

• In the worst case, self-harming behaviour surfaces, including suicide attempts.

In the most extreme version, Delusional Jealousy can be greatly dangerous to the health and safety of the individuals, who are the subjects of the delusion disorder.

There's a possibility of a tragic end if jealous delusions are not addressed before they escalate.

Some causes of Jealous delusions may include:-

✓ _Anxiety Disorders_:- Anxiety Disorders can originate from some psychological realities. Psychological realities like deep-seated insecurity and extremely low self-esteem.

✓ _Schizophrenia_:- This is a severe state of mental health. It is a very severe mental disorder which is characterized by a wide range of strange behaviours like Hallucinations (Hearing voices) and distorted perception. An individual suffering from Schizophrenia is almost unable to distinguish between reality and imaginative events. These extremely strange and unusual experiences seem real to the person, whereas others assume him to be lost in his world.

Owing to the signs of schizophrenia, a person with the disorder is likely to interpret reality in a way that may seem outrightly abnormal. They are always paranoid - believing that others are trying to hurt them. They're compelled to act in ways, that may seem incomprehensible to others, to protect themselves.

• Personality disorders_:- As we all already know that our personalities make us who we are. A personality disorder is a disorder of unstable moods, often due to of interpersonal stress.

• Brain injuries_ or diseases:- Conditions like Huntington's and Parkinson's disease can cause delusion behaviours like Jealous delusions.

• Morbid Jealousy symptoms often 34 percent of Alcohol addicts.

• At first, consideration, being Jealous may appear to be a solitary condition, it may appear to be a "being protective" of what someone has. But when they become so extreme, it is a sign that reveals deeper mental or behavioural health problems.

Anyone who is experiencing irrational and disproportionate levels of Jealousy, like you, would be wise to seek the counsel of a mental health professional, immediately. These experts are trained to unmask any underlying disorders and can recommend a treatment course that offers better hope for recovery.

Subsequently, in the extreme case of Jealousy, possessiveness rears its head and relationships where this element happens to surface often end in violent attacks, harassment, or even worse. According to researchers, 55 per cent of women who are murdered are killed by current or former extremely Jealous partners.

Although, most people with delusional Jealousy will not resort to violence; even if things don't get to that level, this disorder is a sign of mental health challenge which ought not to be ignored, for the sake of everyone involved.

Antipsychotic medications like _Aripiprazole will be included in the treatment plans along with family therapy, coupled with Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Cognitive behavioural therapy is highly recommended for people who strongly believe in themselves! It is highly recommended for people who must learn to see themselves, their lives and the world more realistically. It is greatly recommended for people who strongly believe that there's more to life than being overly possessive of, and utterly obsessive with love! It is a therapy, profoundly recommended for individuals who would love to know that: We can Love! We can grow in love. We can trust love! without being obsessed with and possessive of Love.

Delusional Jealousy is amenable to treatment. Being evaluated for this disorder is the first step on the road to recovery. Being ready to change is what gives treatment and therapies a chance and a privilege to turn things around, appreciably.

Dayo, I, your friend, your fiancee, and your family are ready to embark on this journey with you. I suppose you are, too?" My psychologist ended her long, eloquent speech with a rather rhetorical question. 

"Of course! I'm ready! Let's get on it, Doc" I had uttered.

It's been three days since my treatment and therapies commenced. And I'm getting better, much better!

Love! And receive love, Brethren! But never be so obsessive with it; For what will be, will be!

By: A'aishah Ajibola Omowumi