Serotonin reuptake blockers for the treatment of obsessional jealousy.
BACKGROUND
Some patients with pathological jealousy have a predominant obsessional component to their jealous thoughts. Since obsessions and compulsions often respond to serotonin reuptake blockers, these agents may also be useful for obsessional jealousy.


METHODS
We undertook a retrospective study of patients who presented with obsessional jealousy. Six patients were treated in open clinical practice with serotonin reuptake blockers.


RESULTS
Four of the six patients responded to medication. This response was as robust as that seen in patients with classical symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Obsessional jealousy has phenomenological similarities to other obsessions and compulsions, and obsessional jealousy may also respond to standard antiobsessional medications.
Stein
D J
DJ
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
Hollander
E
E
Josephson
S C
SC
D015057:1-Naphthylamine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D002997:Clomipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007578:Jealousy; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010868:Pimozide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline
D015057:1-Naphthylamine; D002997:Clomipramine; D005473:Fluoxetine; D010868:Pimozide; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline