Monday, September 15, 2025

The Phenomenon of Jealousy and How it Relates to Domestic Violence

 What is Jealousy?

  Jealousy can be different things to different people.  There could be a situation where one is jealous; or could be a situation where one is troubled by a partner who is struggling with jealousy.  

  One might say that Jealousy is largely about distrust, suspicion, insecurity, fear, loss, pain, paranoia, betrayal, obsession, anger and sometimes eventually stalking and/or violence.  Jealousy is typically not a good thing.

 “It is important to distinguish between envy and jealousy in relationship. How do they differ? Being envious means feeling angry, frustrated, or left out because someone else has something you don't (have). (Whereas) Being jealous is about the fear of losing something (or more typically, someone) that you do have to a third person.”  (SOURCE.)  

 When is Jealousy Unhealthy?

  “When jealousy is intense or irrational, the story is very different. Irrational or excessive jealousy is often a warning sign of a potentially abusive relationship."

  Eventually, jealous people feel so overwhelmed by their emotions and insecurities and other possible psychosocial issues that they exert intense) control over their partners. "They may resort to financial abuse, verbal bullying, and violence to maintain control and alleviate or mask their feelings.

  Unhealthy jealousy is sometimes rooted in fear of abandonment and a worry about not being truly loved.2 Unhealthy jealousy is other characterized by:

Being paranoid about what a partner is doing or feeling

Demanding an account of where a partner has been

Displaying unusual insecurity and fear

Engaging in storytelling and making accusations that are not true

Excessively questioning a partner's behaviors and motives

Following or stalking a partner to confirm their whereabouts

Infringing on a partner's freedom or prohibiting them from seeing friends or family

Reading emails and texts or listening to voicemails expecting to discover infidelity or a lie. 3

  (Source.Ligman K, Rodriguez LM, Rocek G. Jealousy and electronic intrusion mediated by relationship uncertainty in married and cohabiting couples during Covid-19. Cyberpsychol Behav Soc Netw. 2021;24(7):444-449. doi:10.1089/cyber.2020.0669 Texting a partner non-stop when the couple is apart”  

 

People sometimes act irrationally when they are Jealous.  Why?

  People often tend to get very emotional -- if not just very volatile when they ware jealous.   Perhaps the jealousy itself is grounded in a deep emotional wound that they have.  “Theoretically, the  more irrational a person gets jealous… (throwing tantrums etc ..)… the ore likely this person has early childhood issues...“  (Source.)

 On the other hand, some Jealousy is just about power and control and fear of loss. 

 

What Percent of people get Jealous?

  “One study of married couples who sought relationship counseling found that 79% of men and 66% of women defined themselves as jealous.”  (Source).

  

Why do people get Jealous?

“Because they don’t know how to deal with the emotions that they are experiencing... Like perhaps they are afraid of losing their partner and as it gets more intense, they don't know how to handle it.

  Emotions in jealousy can include: Fear, Anger, Anxiety, Nervousness, Envy, Confusion, Loss, Rivalry… Intensity  (Source.)


What Causes Jealousy?

  Some of the causes of jealousy could be: “Anxiety, Attachment issues. Insecurity, Borderline personality disorder, Paranoia, Fear, Lack of confidence and/or Neuroticism” (Source).

 

Is Jealousy always Negative? 

  Jealousy is probably typically negative.  Whereas, at some other times, it could be a motivator for self-improvement -- like motivates a jealous mate to get sober and stay sober, or motivates him to go to school and develop more of a career, and/or it motivates her to start taking better care of herself.  On the other hand, some say that: “Jealousy also heightens emotions, making love feel stronger. In small, manageable doses, jealousy can be a positive force in a relationship”  (Source.). 

 

One way to try and keep Jealousy from going too Negative might be by using Cognitive Defusion:  Click to Watch Video Here.

(Video By Kyira Wackett)


Characteristics of Jealousy?

“While it’s typically perceived as a negative emotion, it is natural to experience jealousy in a close relationship. You may feel suspicious jealousy or reactive jealousy.

The former is based on perception and is often tied to low self-esteem and insecurity, and the latter is based on situations that actually threaten the relationship and is often tied to actions or situations that lead to or cause the betrayal of trust.2

Jealousy can lead to other emotions or feelings. Psychiatrist Nereida Gonzalez-Berrios, MD, explains how jealousy can manifest in relationships:

Acting obsessive

Criticizing

Fault finding

Blaming

Feeling distrust

Being overprotective or suspicious

Experiencing a quick temper

Verbally abusing (Source.).

 

Some Basic Types of Jealousy

Projection Jealousy  --  I'm doing it, so she must be doing it too.

Morbid Jealousy – Othello Syndrome -- An unfounded ongoing belief that no matter who my partner is, she or he is cheating.

And other kinds of Jealousy might include a variety of types  "While there are many forms of jealousy, there are two main categories: normal and abnormal jealousy. The six main types, described by Dr. Gonzalez-Berrios, are:

Rational jealousy: When there is genuine, reasonable doubt, especially when you love a partner and fear losing them, rational jealousy can occur.

Family jealousy: This typically occurs between family members, such as siblings. When a new baby is born, a sibling may feel jealous as the attention of the parents shifts to the new baby, for example.

Pathological jealousy: This type of jealousy is irrational. Unhealthy feelings may result from an underlying mental health disorder such as anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or schizophrenia. Signs of pathological jealousy can include extreme insecurity, as well as a desire to control and manipulate.  (This could include Morbid Jealousy.)

Sexual jealousy: When there is fear that a partner has been unfaithful and has engaged in physical infidelity, you may become suspicious.

Romantic jealousy: This can result from a real or imagined threat to a romantic relationship, resulting in jealous thoughts or reactions.

Power jealousy: This type of jealousy stems from personal insecurity. You may be jealous of someone who has what you want. When a coworker receives a promotion or a reward that you wish to receive, for example, you may become jealous.

Studies conducted on heterosexual romantic relationships found that men tend to feel jealous over a third party’s dominance and are more concerned about sexual infidelity, whereas women tend to feel jealous of a third party’s attractiveness and are more concerned about emotional infidelity.5

(Source).

 

Jealousy and Mental Health

  "Certain mental health conditions can also play a role in feelings of jealousy. Conditions that might be linked to this emotion include:

Anxiety disorders

Attachment issues

Borderline personality disorder (BPD)

Depression

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

Paranoia

Psychosis

Schizophrenia

  If you are experiencing intense jealousy and other symptoms that cause distress or interfere with your ability to function normally, it is important to talk to your doctor or mental health professional.  (Source).

 

How Can Jealousy Relate to Domestic Violence?

Under: "HOW CAN JEALOUSY LEAD TO VIOLENCE?"  The Author(s) wrote: 

“Abusers often use jealousy as a tool for control, monitoring their partner's every move and isolating them from family and friends. This controlling behavior can escalate quickly, leading to emotional and physical abuse.”  (Source).

  Often where there is jealousy a-foot, trust is at its lowest point and this often leads to numerous types of emotionally, verbally and/or physically abusive behaviors.

 “Abusers often use jealousy as a tool for control, monitoring their partner's every move and isolating them from family and friends. This controlling behavior can escalate quickly, leading to emotional and physical abuse.

  In some cases, jealousy can spiral into violent behavior, leading to tragic outcomes such as domestic violence, and even homicide. Regrettably, incidents of domestic and family violence are on the rise"  (Data From Queensland Police Service responding to 138,871 occurrences of such violence in the community during the 2021/22 Financial Year). (Source.).

  Jealousy can begin out of genuine concern for a partner; and eventually lead to violence if it goes down the wrong road.

"The cycle of violence

Jealousy can play a significant role in perpetuating the cycle of violence in an abusive relationship. In the early stages, an abusive partner may look for any reason to start a fight, often resorting to possessiveness, jealousy and attempts to control the other person’s behaviour.

These actions can intensify tensions and escalate into physical, emotional, or verbal abuse in the next phase. At times, the abuser may express remorse and seek forgiveness, using apologies, gifts, or promises to convince the victim to stay in the relationship.

It’s a vicious cycle that repeats itself, with jealousy and possessiveness present in each phase. Recognising these signs early on and seeking help to break the cycle of violence can be a crucial step towards your safety and well-being."  (Source.).


The red flags of jealousy

Identifying these behaviors in a romantic relationship and noting they are problematic is an incredibly difficult thing to do. However, it is up to all of us to recognize the potential signs of relationship abuse (and support those who are experiencing it). Some of these early warning signs include a partner:

Monitoring your every move

Expecting immediate responses to texts and calls

Isolating you from family and friends

Belittling or controlling your behaviour

Blaming you for their actions or emotions

Using threats or intimidation to control you

Ultimately, if you find yourself changing your behaviour so that the person you’re dating doesn’t become angry, that is a clear sign of an unhealthy relationship.” (Source.).


How does one Fix Jealousy?

“Trace it back to its source.”

“Talk to a trusted friend.

Practice gratitude for what you have.

Practice in-the-moment coping techniques -- DBT

Explore underlying issues

Remember your own value

Practice mindfulness.

Give it time.

Talk to a therapist  

(Try to have better self esteem) To combat low self-esteem:

  Remind yourself of things you do well.

  Practice self-compassion (in other words, treat yourself the way you would a close friend).

  Practice daily affirmations or exchange them with your partner.

  Remind yourself of the things you value in your partner and relationship.

  Make time to do things you enjoy.”  (Source).  (Source.)


Originally posted  9/14/2024 

https://youtu.be/uVcxPUZttdI?si=Yw-OEUrD-yEgXNDF 

https://youtu.be/-Wq9eQialmU?si=R5CxWgePvtT_A66s 

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Natalie Merchant: Jealousy

6 Tips to Overcome Jealousy and Improve Self Esteem | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Self Help







What is Jealousy? How does Jealousy get to where it seems so Powerful? And why is Jealousy so prevalent in Relationships that have Domestic Violence?

 Jealousy --

  "What does jealous mean? To be jealous is to feel resentment, bitterness, or hostility toward someone because they have something that you don't. This feeling or the state of feeling this way is called jealousy." (Source).

  "Jealousy is the feeling of anger or bitterness that someone has when they think that another person is trying to take a lover or friend, or a possession, away from them." (Source).

  "an unhappy or angry feeling caused by the belief that someone you love (such as your husband or wife) likes or is liked by someone else a marriage ruined by infidelity and jealousy"

  "He was driven crazy with jealousy."

  "He was unable to control his jealousies." (Source).

   How prevalent is Jealousy in Domestic Violence Relationships?

  There is some helpful guidance regarding Jealousy in the article: "Lethality Indicators Possessiveness over victim or severe/morbid jealousy"

  "In a national study on risk of intimate partner homicide, victims of completed or attempted femicide experienced abuse by a partner who controlled all of their activities in 60 percent of cases (Campbell, 2017). The same study revealed that of abusers in those cases, 79 percent were violently jealous, making statements such as “If I can’t have you, no one can.” Georgia’s Project data supports the national findings that severe possessiveness of the victim and intense jealousy are precursors to potentially lethal abuse. In cases reviewed by the Project, perpetrators who went on to kill the victim were known to express attitudes of ownership over the victim 26 percent of the time." (Source).

  "Jealousy is like something that almost always ends up with almost everything feeling bad -- negative, sorrowful, sad, angry, hurt, lost, confused, devastated, and with all that said; it can also -- and often does -- lead to serious tragedy.  And the pain is frequently shared on all sides -- albeit by that point, the people on all sides may not even be talking to each other any more.  

  In other words, Jealousy often causes tremendous pain and in the meantime, it tends to destroy or at least deplete our supply of supports.

  When someone acts out of jealousy, they are essentially saying, "I don't trust you."

  Whereas, their motivation for their jealousy might be as simple as their own insecurity.  But it's projected onto you.

  And perhaps of all, when people are trying to defend themselves against a jealous "partner", they often say of the alleged "Lover", "Oh, we're just friends."  -- As if being is meaningless... worthless... When in fact, many of us probably treasure our friendships more than some of our lovers.  

  

So, What does Jealousy have to do with Domestic Violence?

  Is there a link between Jealousy and DV?

Here is an article: "The Green-Eyed Monster" 

"Jealousy is a complex and often intense emotion that can manifest in a wide range of relationships. Stemming from a potent mix of fear and insecurity, jealousy can be triggered by anything from a flirtatious co-worker to a new job opportunity.

In romantic relationships, jealousy doesn’t always mean that abuse is coming – but it can be a warning sign of something much more dangerous.

From the green-eyed monster to white-hot rage, this article will explore the link between jealousy and domestic abuse, and how to identify problematic behaviours in your relationship.


How can jealousy lead to violence?

While mild feelings of jealousy are common in relationships, it can become a major red flag in the context of an abusive relationship.

Abusers often use jealousy as a tool for control, monitoring their partner’s every move and isolating them from family and friends. This controlling behaviour can escalate quickly, leading to emotional and physical abuse.

In some cases, jealousy can spiral into violent behaviour, leading to tragic outcomes such as domestic violence, and even homicide. Regrettably, incidents of domestic and family violence are on the rise, as evidenced by the Queensland Police Service responding to 138,871 occurrences of such violence in the community during the 2021/22 Financial Year.


The cycle of violence

Jealousy can play a significant role in perpetuating the cycle of violence in an abusive relationship. In the early stages, an abusive partner may look for any reason to start a fight, often resorting to possessiveness, jealousy and attempts to control the other person’s behaviour.

These actions can intensify tensions and escalate into physical, emotional, or verbal abuse in the next phase. At times, the abuser may express remorse and seek forgiveness, using apologies, gifts, or promises to convince the victim to stay in the relationship.

It’s a vicious cycle that repeats itself, with jealousy and possessiveness present in each phase. Recognising these signs early on and seeking help to break the cycle of violence can be a crucial step towards your safety and well-being.


The red flags of jealousy

Identifying these behaviours in a romantic relationship and noting they are problematic is an incredibly difficult thing to do. However, it is up to all of us to recognise the potential signs of relationship abuse (and support those who are experiencing it). Some of these early warning signs include a partner:

  • Monitoring your every move
  • Expecting immediate responses to texts and calls
  • Isolating you from family and friends
  • Belittling or controlling your behaviour
  • Blaming you for their actions or emotions
  • Using threats or intimidation to control you

Ultimately, if you find yourself changing your behaviour so that the person you’re dating doesn’t become angry, that is a clear sign of an unhealthy relationship.


Case Study: Problematic behaviour in a relationship

While physical abuse is often recognisable, it’s important to note that domestic violence can manifest in many other forms. Emotional abuse, for example, may involve a partner who displays jealous behaviours, disguising them as caring or protective actions.

This case of a young woman who wrote into an Australian newsletter column asking for advice about her controlling and jealous boyfriend, serves as an example of how jealousy can be a form of emotional abuse.

“He gets angry when I speak to any other man, he won’t let me wear certain clothing, and he is extremely opposed to my close friendship with a guy at my work. I have to tell him everything I’m doing, and where I’m going, and it just suffocates me.

It’s so hard because my family loves him and he’s such a lovely person. He loves me so much and does absolutely everything for me. When it’s good, it’s great. I am his whole world, so I have this sense of guilt if I ever were to leave, and I just don’t know what to do.”

The woman recognised that her boyfriend's behaviour was problematic, but felt guilty about leaving him because he loved her. Importantly, she also felt like she couldn't talk to anyone about the situation; this feeling of isolation is a common tactic of abusers, who want to control every aspect of their partner's life.

It’s also important to recognise that an abuser is not necessarily going to be someone who treats other people poorly in front of you. While there are no set characteristics that all abusers share, they are typically skilled at presenting a charming facade to the outside world.


How to deal with jealousy in a relationship

When jealousy becomes pervasive and intense, it has the potential to become harmful.

If you recognise the signs of jealousy and coercive control in a relationship, you can seek help. This could mean reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or professional, or contacting domestic violence hotlines or other resources for support and guidance.


There are many resources available, such as Relationships Australia at 1300 364 277, DVConnect Womensline at 1800 811 811, DVConnect Mensline at 1800 600 636, and 1800 RESPECT at 1800 737 732.

If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency service.

Remember that everyone has the right to feel safe in their home – and help is always available.

From controlling behaviours to something just feeling a bit ‘off’, the red flags of domestic violence and coercive control present themselves in different ways for different people. Learn how to spot the red flags of domestic violence in your own relationship – or someone else’s."  (Source.)


What are some of the Motivations of Jealousy?

   According to Psychology Today, "Jealousy in relationships can be caused by various factors", Including":

"Low self-esteem

Insecurity

Obsessive overthinking

Paranoia

Fear of abandonment or betrayal

Desire for control

Unrealistic expectations

Past hurtful experiences

Feelings of anxiety, depression, or low self-worth"  ()


According to:  3 Prime Reasons Why People Get Jealous

How to tell if your suspicions may be legitimate.

Posted September 23, 2014 |  Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

"Key points: While most people experience jealousy on a very occasional and mild basis, others feel it to a pathological degree.

Research finds that men are more jealous about physical infidelity while women are more jealous about emotional infidelity.
One of the three prime reasons people get jealous includes the inability to handle "the unknown."

A little jealousy in a romantic relationship is undoubtedly natural. Certainly, each of us has felt an uncomfortable jealous twinge at some point in a relationship. We feel jealous in such moments because of our sense that a cherished connection we have with another person is threatened, and our fear that a loved one may find someone else to replace us.

While most people experience jealousy on a very occasional and mild basis, others feel it to a pathological degree. For such extremely jealous individuals, their jealousy almost always leads to the end of relationships.

Evolutionary psychologists have spent years researching jealousy. In her review of the literature, Harris (2004) writes that evolutionary psychologists suggest that jealousy might have given a “fitness advantage” for men and women. More specifically, Buss (1995) concluded that a specific set of brain circuits determines a jealous reaction, and found that men were more jealous about physical infidelity while women were more jealous about emotional infidelity.

I appreciate researchers' efforts to uncover gender differences in jealousy because gender differences are often—if not always—at work. Yet in my clinical work with men and women, which often focuses on relationship issues, I have found several types of destructive jealousy among both men and women. Take a look below and see if you’ve had experience with someone who presents any of these types:

Insecurity: Hands down, insecurity is the most common source of jealousy. People often throw around the term "inferiority complex," which is not a clinical term, but refers to an underlying impoverished ego or low self-esteem—a jealous man who feels insecure in his romantic relationships, for example, does not feel confident that he is good and valuable enough to keep another person interested in him over time.

It’s important to note that insecurity is usually not absolute in men and women. In other words, a woman may be bright and highly effective at work as a high-powered lawyer, though her psychopathology (getting jealous) comes out in her romantic relationships. Overall, is she an insecure woman? No, but she has the capacity to become deeply jealous in her romantic relationships.

Obsessive Thinking: A recent female client of mine in her late 20s, whom I’ll call Maryanne, finds herself feeling jealous in almost every relationship she has. Clinically, she also meets several criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder though she doesn’t meet the criteria for the full diagnosis. Maryanne’s brain tends to work on perpetual overtime, always generating new anxieties and worries. Because this is her general thinking style, her tendency to overthink and obsess about things inevitably seeps into every one of her romantic relationships.

For obsessive types, the hardest thing in the world to manage is uncertainty, aka The Unknown. While most people can handle a fair amount of uncertainty, when Maryanne’s boyfriend comes home late, she can’t tolerate the unknown (why he's late, what he’s been doing). When she feels uncertain about where her boyfriend is, her mind fills in the blanks and generates answers, many of which are negative. Very often, she comes up with facts created out of thin air about her boyfriend’s probable infidelity—and then feels extremely anxious and jealous. If she didn’t have an obsessive cognitive style, she would be a lot less jealous.

Paranoid Personality: Many men and women I’ve worked with get jealous, but their jealousy actually stems from an overall paranoid approach to many things in life. While paranoia at the most severe end of the spectrum takes the form of the schizophrenia-paranoid type, the vast majority of paranoid individuals fall toward the milder end of this spectrum. Many men and women have some paranoid characteristics but their paranoia isn’t severe enough to meet the diagnosis of a full-blown paranoid disorder.

Men and women with mild or moderate paranoia have great difficulty trusting others and often infer malicious intent to others’ motives. They frequently have a personality type that leads them to feel victimized and persecuted, frequently feeling that others are out to get them. They often feel that others are trying to sabotage them, their goals, or their career. They also often perceive that others have put them down, rejected them, or patronized them, even when witnesses tell them otherwise. Finally, men and women with a paranoid personality style are often blamers, assigning blame to others as opposed to looking inward and accepting accountability for their own flaws or mistakes. Too often, they get jealous and grasp onto a strong belief that their partner is cheating—and no amount of evidence can convince them otherwise.

Reality: If you ask a jealous person whether he or she was justified in feeling jealous, he would probably cite several examples where jealousy was actually founded in fact. In other words, a partner really was cheating, or truly did betray him! The question becomes: Is there a pattern of jealousy, or is this an isolated incident? A person can accurately be labeled a jealous person if she (or he) has a history of becoming jealous with multiple partners, many or all of whom did not actually do anything to justify it. If you are in a relationship with someone who’s triggering intense feelings of jealousy in you, ask yourself if you have felt jealous with other partners in the past, or if these feelings stem exclusively from your current relationship.

If you don’t have a history of being jealous, odds are that your jealous feelings in your current relationship aren’t actually a problem. In fact, it might be that your instincts are signaling that you are in a relationship with someone you might not be able to trust. In this situation, you aren’t becoming "the jealous type"; you're more concerned and distrustful. Having a partner label you as jealous when you don’t have a history of jealousy is a sign that your feelings are being mislabeled. In such a case, you’re not jealous; you’re justifiably worried.

Conclusion: The next time a partner engages in jealous-type behavior with you, remember to put the behaviors and feelings in context by considering whether the jealousy is new, or whether it reflects a longstanding pattern. If you’re in a relationship with someone who has a history of getting jealous, understand that the root of this type of behavior—insecurity, obsessiveness, or a paranoid personality—is not going away anytime soon. Working through such deeply rooted issues takes a lot of time and frequently requires intensive psychotherapy. If you have a partner who is willing to go to therapy to deal with these issues head-on, the relationship may be worth keeping; if not, you need to be clear about what you can and cannot put up with in the future. Without clear boundaries, men and women who get jealous can be very bad for your mental health."  (Source.)



How to Prevent Jealousy -- To prevent jealousy, consider the following tips -- or How to Stop Being Jealous: 15 Tips according to Choosing Therapy.com:

    1. "Practice mindfulness meditation to reflect and take things slowly.
    2. Be honest about your feelings and acknowledge jealousy.
    3. Determine the cause of your jealousy.
    4. Seek social support.
    5. Practice gratitude.
    6. Address underlying issues.
    7. Focus on improving your self-esteem and confidence.
    8. Use thought-stopping techniques to catch yourself when feeling jealous.
      • Watch your favorite show or find other distractions.
      • Exercise to release tension.
      • Put your feelings into words.
      • Focus on your strengths."
Other Ideas might include:

1. "Be Patient:  Sometimes, jealousy stems from feeling out of control in situations. We may envy those who have already achieved similar goals, passing and evolving past us. However, remind yourself that everyone moves at a different pace. Staying present with yourself in the current moment can help you accept your current circumstances and feel hopeful for your future.

2. Reflect on Your Jealousy & Make Changes:  Our emotions alert us about inner problems and experiences. For example, your jealousy may indicate where you have unresolved pain or something you greatly desire. Reflecting on what jealousy is trying to tell you may help you heal the issues behind these feelings, make improvements, and find self-acceptance.

3. Practice Self-Love & Compassion:  Struggling with jealousy is easy when you cannot see the good things about yourself. Lack of self-love and grace means you will always feel unworthy, which sets the stage for jealousy. Learning to love yourself will help you challenge and balance jealousy when you feel overwhelmed by envy.

4. Identify Your Triggers:  Experiencing jealousy without recognizing the cause means missing opportunities to manage jealousy in the future. Reflecting on the events that preceded these feelings can help you work backward through the situations to build awareness. When you know your triggers, you can address the underlying issue and respond differently in the future.

5. Build Emotional Intimacy: Focus on building emotional intimacy in a relationship to reduce your feelings of insecurity. Your sense of safety and stability increases when you feel more connected with a person. You can communicate more directly and clearly about your needs and hopes for the relationship. All of these things can reduce your feelings of jealousy.2

6. Revisit Your Expectations: Sometimes, we get jealous because we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and our relationships. When we do this, we subconsciously compare the current moment to the ideal expectations we have created within our minds. Revise your standards if you constantly and consistently feel jealous about a specific person or situation. No individual is perfect, and setting yourself up for failure will only exacerbate your envy.

7. Recognize the Impacts of Jealousy: Unchecked jealousy rages and wreaks havoc on our relationships and self-esteem. We have little motivation to tackle uncomfortable emotions and situations if we cannot recognize the impacts of jealousy. When you identify what you may lose if you do not address your jealousy directly, you are much more likely to take active steps toward managing and working through the causes of your envy.

8. Forgive & Let Go: Holding on to past events and insecurities contributing to jealousy will only erode your relationships. Permit yourself to forgive someone and move forward if they have taken the necessary steps to apologize and work on themselves.* Doing so can be invaluable when letting go of jealousy."  (Source).


121 Jealousy Quotes to Inspire People in Life and Relationship

Deep Jealousy Quotes in Relationships and Love

“He that is not jealous is not in love.” — Saint Augustine

“Jealousy is the worst enemy of a happy relationship.” — Unknown

“Jealousy is the sister of love, as the devil is the brother of angels.” — Saint Augustine

“Jealousy is always born with love but does not always die with it.” — Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Jealousy springs more from love of self than from love of another.” — François de La Rochefoucauld

“Jealousy is not so much the love of another as it is the love of ourselves.” — Francois de La Rochefoucauld

“Jealousy, that dragon which slays love under the pretense of keeping it alive.” — Havelock Ellis

“Jealousy is a disease, love is a healthy condition. The immature mind often mistakes one for the other.” — Robert A. Heinlein

“Jealousy in romance is like salt in food. A little can enhance the savor, but too much can spoil the pleasure and, under certain circumstances, can be life-threatening.” — Maya Angelou

Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can cloud our judgment and strain our relationships, but it also offers valuable insights into our desires and insecurities.

By confronting and understanding jealousy, we can turn it into a force for personal growth and self-reflection.

In this post, we have gathered 121 inspiring quotes about jealousy in life and relationship – some offering wisdom on overcoming it, others shedding light on its complexities.

Let these words encourage you to rise above envy and cultivate a mindset focused on gratitude, self-love, and empowerment.


Inspiring Quotes of Jealousy in Life

“Jealousy is a dog’s bark which attracts thieves.” — Karl Kraus

“Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius.” — Fulton J. Sheen

“Jealousy injures us with the dagger of self-doubt.” — Terri Guillemets

“Jealousy is the tie that binds, and binds, and binds.” — Helen Rowland

“Jealousy is the fear of losing something that you value.” — Nurudeen Ushawu

“Jealousy is invariably a symptom of neurotic insecurity.” — Robert A. Heinlein

“Jealousy, that jumble of secret worship and ostensible aversion.” — Emile M. Cioran

“Jealousy is an awkward homage which inferiority renders to merit.” — Madame de Puysieux

“To cure jealousy is to see it for what it is, a dissatisfaction with self.” — Joan Didion

“The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.” — William Penn

“Jealousy is, I think, the worst of all faults because it makes a victim of both parties.” — Gene Tierney


 Jealousy Bitterness Quotes for Haters

“Let your haters be your motivators.”

“Jealousy is a form of hatred built upon insecurity.”

“The only time I’m not jealous is when I’m winning.”

“Jealousy is a crutch that weak men use to prop themselves up.”

“Jealousy is just someone realizing they want to be you, but it’s too late.”

“It is not that I’m jealous of your success. It’s that I’m annoyed it wasn’t mine first.”

“Don’t hate me because I am fabulous. Hate me because I’m winning and you’re not.”

“Jealousy is just love and hate at the same time… but mostly hate when you’re losing.”

“People only rain on your parade because they’re jealous of your sun and tired of their shade.”

“I don’t get jealous. I just aggressively compare myself to everyone and feel slightly bitter about it.”

“It’s sad how some people are so jealous and intimidated by you that they only have negative things to say when they know absolutely nothing about you.”

“Jealousy is just love and hate at the same time.” — Drake

“Jealousy is a mixture of love, hatred, and insecurity.” — Salvador Dali

“The jealous bring down the curse they fear upon their own heads.” — Dorothy Dix

“Never hate jealous people. They are jealous because they think you are better than them.” — Paulo Coelho

“Jealousy is never satisfied with anything short of an omniscience that would detect the subtlest fold of the heart.” — George Eliot

“Jealousy sees things always with magnifying glasses which make little things large, of dwarfs giants, of suspicions truths.” — Miguel de Cervantes    (SOURCE.)





Monday, September 8, 2025

Cognitive Behavior Theory and Domestic Violence

 "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective approach for addressing domestic violence by focusing on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors." (Source).  


"What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychological treatment that has been demonstrated to be effective for a range of problems including depression, anxiety disorders, alcohol and drug use problems, marital problems, eating disorders, and severe mental illness. Numerous research studies suggest that CBT leads to significant improvement in functioning and quality of life. In many studies, CBT has been demonstrated to be as effective as, or more effective than, other forms of psychological therapy or psychiatric medications.

It is important to emphasize that advances in CBT have been made on the basis of both research and clinical practice. Indeed, CBT is an approach for which there is ample scientific evidence that the methods that have been developed actually produce change. In this manner, CBT differs from many other forms of psychological treatment.

CBT is based on several core principles, including:

Psychological problems are based, in part, on faulty or unhelpful ways of thinking.

Psychological problems are based, in part, on learned patterns of unhelpful behavior.

People suffering from psychological problems can learn better ways of coping with them, thereby relieving their symptoms and becoming more effective in their lives.

CBT treatment usually involves efforts to change thinking patterns. These strategies might include:

Learning to recognize one’s distortions in thinking that are creating problems, and then to reevaluate them in light of reality.

Gaining a better understanding of the behavior and motivation of others.

Using problem-solving skills to cope with difficult situations.

Learning to develop a greater sense of confidence in one’s own abilities.

CBT treatment also usually involves efforts to change behavioral patterns. These strategies might include:

Facing one’s fears instead of avoiding them.

Using role playing to prepare for potentially problematic interactions with others.

Learning to calm one’s mind and relax one’s body.

Not all CBT will use all of these strategies. Rather, the psychologist and patient/client work together, in a collaborative fashion, to develop an understanding of the problem and to develop a treatment strategy.

CBT places an emphasis on helping individuals learn to be their own therapists. Through exercises in the session as well as “homework” exercises outside of sessions, patients/clients are helped to develop coping skills, whereby they can learn to change their own thinking, problematic emotions, and behavior.

CBT therapists emphasize what is going on in the person’s current life, rather than what has led up to their difficulties. A certain amount of information about one’s history is needed, but the focus is primarily on moving forward in time to develop more effective ways of coping with life.

Source: APA Div. 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology)"  (Source).


 Guide to CBT for Intimate Partner Violence

"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that helps people change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors to improve emotional well-being and cope with life challenges. It's based on the principle that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected, and by changing our thoughts, we can influence our emotions and behaviors. CBT teaches practical coping strategies and techniques to manage mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, as well as other problems like chronic pain and insomnia.  

How CBT Works

CBT involves working with a therapist to: 

Identify negative thought patterns: or "cognitive distortions".

  Challenge and change these thoughts: to more realistic and helpful ones.

Modify unhelpful behaviors: that stem from these thoughts.

Develop effective coping mechanisms: for dealing with difficult situations."


Key Principles of CBT --  

Focus on the Present: 

CBT primarily addresses current problems and thoughts, rather than dwelling on the past. 

Goal-Oriented and Structured:

CBT is typically a short-term, goal-oriented treatment with a practical approach. 

Empowering:

It's a collaborative process where you work with the therapist to set goals and find solutions. 

Evidence-Based:

CBT is a widely researched and empirically supported form of psychotherapy with proven effectiveness. 

What CBT Can Help With

CBT can be effective for a range of issues, including:

Mental Health Conditions: Depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). 

Emotional Concerns: Managing stress, grief, and difficulties in relationships. 

Other Conditions: Insomnia, chronic pain, eating problems, and addictions."  (Source)


"Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective approach for addressing domestic violence by focusing on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. Here are some key points:

CBT aims to reduce partner violence by identifying and changing the thought processes leading to violent acts, teaching new skills to control behavior. 1

It is particularly effective for male perpetrators of domestic violence, helping them understand and change their attitudes towards violence and their relationships. 1

CBT can also be beneficial for victims, providing support and teaching skills to cope with the emotional impact of domestic violence. 1

The therapy is collaborative and structured, involving both the perpetrator and the survivor, and can be delivered in individual or group settings. 1

While CBT has shown some effectiveness in reducing reoffending rates, it may not have a statistically significant effect on overall crime rates. 1

For more detailed information, you can refer to the sources provided." (Source.)


Monday, September 1, 2025

9 Life Lessons of Socrates: Applied to Domestic Violence Prevention

DRAFT POST>  PLEASE DO NOT COPY, PUBLISH, or DUPLICATE.

   "Socrates was a philosopher who emphasized learning and self-reflection. Here are some of his life lessons: Was a Philosopher  --- perhaps even the first Philosopher.  And he was largely about the idea of Self-Control."

  About Socrates: "Socrates lived from 469–399 B.C.E., making him 70 years old when he was executed."

  "Life events:

Birth: Born in Athens, Greece in 469 B.C.E. 

Education: Learned to read and write, and took extra lessons in music, poetry, and gymnastics 

Work: Worked as a stonemason, then joined the Athenian army as a foot soldier 

Execution: Put to death by his fellow citizens for impiety and corrupting the youth 

Known for: The Socratic method of question and answer, Claiming he was ignorant, Claiming that an unexamined life is not worth living, Being a moral philosopher, and Being nonconformist in his beliefs. 

Legacy: 

Inspired Plato, who is considered the founder of Western philosophy

Part of the famous triad of ancient philosophers, along with Plato and Aristotle"

  In short; if we can at least try to embody these 9 Life Lessons from Socrates; we will more than likely be better at relationships in the future.  (Think about it this way, What do I have to lose.)

  The 9 Life Lessons -- Per Socrates:  "Life lessons from Socrates"

  • 1. Be open to the truth: Accept that you don't know everything and remain open to learning 
    • Critical Thinking
    • Ask as many questions as possible
    • Don't just pretend that you know what you are doing
  • 2. Be courageous: Have the courage to pursue what you believe in
    • Never be afraid to go against the current of popular or political opinion
    • Stand up for your moral principles.
  • 3. Be authentic: Be true to yourself 
    • Seek the Truth rather than seeking popularity.
    • Don't try to make yourself to seem or look more than you actually are.
    • Be the True, Authentic version of yourself.
  • 4. Wisdom is the greatest virtue: Recognize your own ignorance and be humble 
    • Be Humble and Be Approachable.  
    • Have Humility
    • Respect and Value everyone; especially people who one might think are lower in station than yourself.
  • 5. Live a virtuous life: Live a good, meaningful life guided by reason, virtue, and moral principles 
    • Beware the baron-ness of a busy life.
    • Live life with a purpose
    • Stop, process and digest everything in your life.  Figure out what is really meaningful to you.

  • 6. Be a Citizen of the World.  Be more interested in the Common Moral principles between us; than that which divides us.
  • 7. Be Happy with Less:  
    • True happiness comes from within: Be content with what you have 
    • Enjoy the small things in life.

  • 8. Never do Vengeance.
    • Vengeance is never justified.
  • Know thyself: Be self-aware and question your beliefs and actions 



  • The unexamined life is not worth living: A life without introspection and critical thinking is meaningless 



  • Change is the only constant: Be aware that things are always changing 





How can one apply this to preventing DV:  Things you can do differently like try not to live your life so boringly... Know your self-worth.  


Socrates believed that the ultimate goal of human existence was to live a good life. He emphasized the importance of critical thinking and self-awareness. 


(How can one apply this to a Relationship... ?  )


  1. "The only true wisdom is in knowing that you know nothing."  True knowledge is knowing you know nothing: Socrates believed that true wisdom comes from knowing that you don't know everything.  Seeking Truth is what Socrates was famous for.  Always question what you know.
  2. Be Courageous.  Be courageous: Socrates believed that people should be courageous. 
  3. The unexamined life is not worth living: Socrates believed that a life without self-reflection and critical thinking is meaningless.  "No matter the cost, we need to stand up for our moral principles."
  4. Be Authentic.  Be what we pretend to be.  Education is the kindling of a flame: Socrates believed that education is about igniting a passion, not filling a vessel.  
  5. Be Humble.  Have Humility.  Be content with what you have: Socrates believed that being content with what you have is the wealth of nature. 
  6. "Beware the busy-ness of Life."  Be open to new ideas: Socrates believed that wisdom begins with wonder and curiosity about the world.  
  7. Be a Citizen of the World.  Be authentic and humble: Socrates believed that people should be authentic and humble.   IT's about uniting people; rather than dividing them based on a giving criteria.  Don't be divided based on a given characteristic.  It is okay to be different.  It okay to disagree.  "We are all citizens of this world." 
  8. "Be happy with less."  "The fewer desires we have; the easier it is to achieve happiness."  "Happiness is a result of a mindset."  Be a moral person and focus on healthy habits.  "You can be happy with surprisingly little effort."
  9. Don't seek revenge: Socrates believed that people should not seek revenge.  Vengeance is never justified.  
  10. "Have a sense of Humor."  "Laughter is a powerful tool."  "Laughter Releases stress and makes us more resilient."


  11. Be a good servant and master: Socrates believed that people who are good servants will also be good masters. False words are evil: Socrates believed that false words are evil and can infect the soul with evil. 

For More Info about Socrates' 9 Life Lessions and Widom, Click Here 

Click Here to review a Video about Socrates

  Socrates probably influenced (directly or indirectly) the way that many in the Western World think.


How Could Socratic Thinking Impact Relationships?

   

Can Partner Compatibility Help Eliminate Domestic Violence?

This is a DRAFT Post.  Please DO NOT REPOST, PRINT, PUBLISH, COPY, or  DISTRIBUTE.

Are We Compatible???


What is compatibility --Grateful Dead and Robert Hunter

Ripple.


Black Muddy River

According to AI: 

"Compatibility is found in shared core values, effective communication, mutual respect, shared life goals, and emotional availability, which form a strong foundation for a healthy relationship, rather than just surface-level interests. Healthy relationships also require adaptability, support, kindness, and good conflict management skills to navigate life's changes and challenges together. 

Key Factors for Compatibility

Shared Core Values and Vision:

Aligning on fundamental beliefs about life and the world creates a strong foundation for making big decisions together. 

Effective and Respectful Communication:

The ability to express thoughts and feelings, actively listen, and work through issues constructively is crucial. 

Emotional Availability and Vulnerability:

Willingness to share your inner world and create a safe space for your partner to do the same builds intimacy and trust. 

Mutual Respect and Support:

Valuing each other as equals, supporting each other's growth, and celebrating successes together are essential. 

Similar Life Goals:

Alignment on important life paths, such as career or family, helps prevent future conflict and ensures you are working towards a shared future. 

Growth Mindset and Adaptability:

Being open to change and the challenges that life brings, both individually and as a couple, keeps the relationship strong. 

Emotional Intelligence and Empathy:

Understanding and responding to each other's emotional needs helps foster a deeper connection and a more secure relationship. 

Qualities for a Healthy Relationship

Kindness and Compassion:

Treating each other with care and understanding is a vital component of a long-lasting connection. 

Conflict Resolution Skills:

No relationship is without disagreement, but healthy couples learn to navigate these conflicts constructively. 

Independence and Healthy Boundaries:

Maintaining individual identities and respecting personal limits allows for both partners to thrive within the relationship. 

Sense of Humor:

Shared laughter and the ability to find joy together can significantly enhance the relationship. 

What Compatibility Is Not

Identical Interests:

.

While common hobbies can be beneficial, a successful relationship doesn't require partners to do everything together or agree on every minor detail. 

Solely Chemistry:

.

Fleeting initial attraction can fade without authentic compatibility. Compatibility, however, provides the long-term glue that strengthens the relationship. "  (Source.)


Videos about Compatibility:   

https://youtu.be/np1zUPI7Fdo?si=H5DOPnvQFwX2sGQE

https://youtu.be/FzXYEhDdAWA?si=mcftkbP0b7UtOFb-




"5 Strong Predictors of a Healthy Relationship

Updated April 28, 2025 |  Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer Ph.D."

From:  "Chemistry without authentic compatibility can result in an unfulfilling relationship.

When each person is allowed their own space, it gives them a chance to become better versions of themselves.

Healthy communication in a relationship lets you and your partner understand what you need from each other."

"Validation, Healthy Communication, Genuine Compatibility, Sense of Safety, and Personal Space."

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/understanding-ptsd/202403/the-5-biggest-predictors-of-a-healthy-relationship" 

(Source).











Partner Qualities: What Type of Person am I? And What Type of Person Would I Like to Have in my Life? What do I really need in a Relationship?

  Sometimes the person who we are when we first meet someone is a good bit different from the person we become while in a relationship.  Sometimes this might be good.  But other times -- all too many times -- this can be tragic.

  Did you ever wish you could stop and really exam how you are in Relationships?  Or even look at how your prospective partners might be in a Relationship -- before you get into the relationship with them?  If you answer is "No", then realize that this is a pretty natural thing.  It is natural for humans to want to find mates.  And sometimes we feel so awful without a mate that we are not as selective or choosy as we should be.

  Hence, we end up in trouble -- sometimes BIG Trouble!

  If you don't like getting into trouble, then perhaps it could it be beneficial to develop some good insights into why your relationships sometimes turn out the way they do -- whether good or bad?

  And it seems logical to assume that one of the greatest influences on how we behave in relationships could have something to do with the kind of person we are.  Or with the type of person we are -- if there is a difference.

  So whether I am already in a Relationship; or I am not currently in a Relationship but I want- or don't want to be in that Relationship; questions around the idea of What Type of Person I am; and What Type of Person I might like to have in my life can be very important.  Exploring this might help us out for a number of reasons.  It could definitely give us some useful insights.

  Did you ever really stopped to think: What Type of Person am I?  When I am in a Relationship, do I tend to feel, think, react or act in certain ways that either encourage the relationship to last; or even destroy the relationship?  A very honest look at this can quite possibly bring a bounty of wisdom.

  But then we really must remember that it takes two to have a relationship.  So it's not only about me and how I think, feel and behave.  But it's also about my partner and how they are.

  All this begs the question: What Type of Person am I?  What Type of Person Would I Like to Have in my Life?  And what exactly do I need in a Relationship?

  Like am I the type of person that brings out the furious anger in a mate?  -- Not that it's my fault if they are abusive though.  Do I just tendency to push a few too many buttons sometimes?

  Or am I a person who is easy to love on a daily basis?

  Think about it:  What kind of person are you?  Are you easy to live with?  Are you an easy lover?  Or Are you difficult to handle?  If so, do want change that?  The first step to changing anything is to have a good understanding of what is going on.

Or, Look at it This Way:  Another related set of important questions could be:   
  What kind of person would you like to have in your life?  One who is easy to live with?  One who is an easy lover?  Or one who is difficult to handle?
  Then ask -- what are some of the characteristics of a person (self or other) who is Easy to live with for you?  
  Or ask -- what are some of the characteristics of a person (like you) who is Easy to live with for you?

  In other words: What do I really want a person to be like that I would want to get involved with? 
  And then ask, What would that person want me to be like if we were in a relationship?

 After this, one can even go on to think about what exactly do I feel like I need in a Relationship?  And other things like that as well.

  Thinking about these things before diving deeper into an existing relationship; or before striking up a new relationship might help us to avoid pitfalls as well as help us to have better relationships in the future.


Relationship-Related Qualities (Good and Bad) That Some People tend to have:

  Try this Partial List of Relationship-Related Qualities (good and bad) that some people tend to have in Relationships.  Then for each quality ask yourself: 
  •   Does this quality describe me and how I am in a Relationship?  And...
  •   Does this quality describe the kind of person I would like to be with in a Relationship?

Industrious

Creative

Follower

Leader

Lover

Hater

Freaky

Straight Edge

Worker

Parent

Adult Child

Brutally Honest

Nice

Helper 

Martyr

Very Serious

Jokester

Really Smart

Destructive

Neat-Freak

Slob

Collector

Hippie

Delicate

Durable

Dancer

Courageous

Narrow-Focused

Broad-Minded

Sex-Appeal

Passive

Aggressive

Straight Up

Religious / Spiritual

Daddy's Girl / Mama's Boy

Independent

Talented

Easy-Going

Futuristic

Frugal

Wasteful

Dwells on the Past

Forgiving

Humble

Fretful

Confident

Generous

Stingy

Punctual

Lackadaisical

Motivated

Waiting for to be told what to do

A Real Go-Getter

A Disappointment

Cheater

Attractive or Cute

Loyal

Political

Single-Minded

Foolish

Wise

Prideful

Lazy

Modest

  So First, we go through this list (or another list -- you can add to it if you like) and we figure out some good information about who we are.

  And then next, we go through and think about who we really want in our life?

  This is probably a useful exercise because some people an be extremely easy to get along with at first.  But once they get into a relationship, they can be really hard to deal with.  And it really does not have to be that way.

  In other words, it can be heartbreaking when one learns that person they got involved with is nothing like the person who they thought they were in the beginning.  

So Again: Think About It.  What type of person are you in relationships?  And what type of person would you like to be with in a relationship?


*** Click Here to Complete Your 

Qualities of Self and Partners 

in Relationships Worksheet ***