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(1988). International Review of Psycho-Analysis, 15:293-305

Impersonal Objects in Morbid Jealousy

Roland A. Pierloot

Jealousy is an emotional state, provoked by the idea that somebody else has taken an object—as a rule a love-object—which by right belongs to the individual, or at least that one has to share the object with another person. A normal reaction would be to wish to see one's suspicions disproved and, if so, be relieved.

In some patients, however, we are confronted with the opposite reaction. They want their suspicions to be confirmed. Their behaviour is based on an inner conviction, independent of arguments or elements of reality. They make strenuous efforts to prove their suspicions. They torment the partner to extort the confession of his (or her) unfaithfulness. By making special arrangements, they even try to push the partner into the unfaithfulness. The patient seems to need this uncomfortable and painful situation. According to Fenichel's formulation (1935) it offers a 'libido-economical advantage'.

From a clinical psychiatric point of view, a lot of w

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