Aspects of morbid jealousy

Michael Kingham is currently a locum consultant forensic psychiatrist at the Trevor Gibbens Unit in Kent (Trevor Gibbens Unit, Hermitage Lane, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9QQ, UK), having recently worked as a specialist registrar at Broadmoor Hospital. Harvey Gordon is a consultant forensic psychiatrist for the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust and an honorary lecturer in forensic psychiatry at the Institute of Psychiatry, London. He has also worked at Broadmoor Hospital.

Morbid jealousy is encountered in general, old age and forensic psychiatry, and clinicians in each specialty should be familiar with its recognition and management. As well as clinical matters, the issue of risk to the patient and others is prominent in the consideration of morbid jealousy. Hospitalisation is sometimes required, the use of compulsory admission is not infrequent and treatment in secure settings is occasionally warranted. This review addresses the nature of morbid jealousy, its psychopathology, diagnostic issues, associations, risks and management.