Toxic Jealousy Stemming from an insecure childhood attachment.
In my experience toxic jealousy is one of the most painful wounds of childhood and is worth understanding. It is related to envy, but is not the same. Envy is a coveting of something another has, such as wealth, achievement, or fame, while jealousy is a fear of being replaced by another person. Jealousy can be about a sense of unfairness, sibling rivalry, fear of being betrayed and above all can be found in romantic relationships. It is, therefore, about relationships and has been in existence for as long as human kind. Toxic or pathological jealousy is one of the most excruciating realities you can come across. Not only is it extremely painful, but is very difficult to heal. It applies to all races and civilizations; although in cultural terms, research shows that there are high jealousy and low jealousy societies. In societies where male dominance is the norm, jealousy is more evident.
Jealousy has been described by Hildegard Baumgart as a relational conflict and a response to the provocative behaviour of a partner. Such provocation would, for example, include blatant flirting at one end and infidelity at the other. This type of jealousy is normal and not toxic. It could be seen as reactive jealousy.
You can find plenty of references to jealousy in the Old Testament, and a good example of toxic jealousy is in the story of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve, which does not say much about the latter’s parenting! Abel drew the jealous wrath of Cain because his offering was favoured by the Lord, and he paid for it with his life. The God of the Old Testament is also portrayed as a jealous God, although this is interpreted as a loving God, who wishes to save us. Likewise, it is a frequent theme in films and literature. Shakespeare used jealousy as the fatal weakness in his flawed hero, Othello.
THERAPISTS IN TIPPERARY
PSYCHOTHERAPISTS IN TIPPERARY
COUNSELLING TIPPERARY
DEATH OF A CHILD
ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
FEAR
ANGER
