Well jealousy itself is a major driving force in lots of aggression. "Othello Syndrome" has been described psychiatrically for many years. I actually nursed two men with the syndrome in my 19 years on the yards. One patient was particularly aggressive against the Charge Nurse I worked with often. Each time he was given medication he became convinced we were trying to drug him so the Charge Nurse could nip out and go to have an affair with his wife. He lost most rationality when it came to his jealousy over his wife.

He was a good man. Loved his wife and his family. A good husband and dad. But he started 'losing it' when he had a paranoid episode due depression and it then manifested itself as Othello Syndrome. He could be quite a handful in the early days of his treatment. Of course, sometimes there can be actual truth behind what starts the jealousy too, and the sufferer becomes unbelieved when, in fact, what they say they have seen happening IS happening!

One never knows what will and does drive some people to do what they do. Time and again I am minded to think of the phrase "But for the grace of God go I". How true it is and we can all only ever be grateful we are not touched by some of the things that touch others.

mp