How To Overcome Jealousy in Your Marriage

Jealousy in marriage can be a destructive force. One spouse is constantly suspicious of the other, and the other spouse begins to feel controlled. When someone begins to feel controlled, often they will rebel against being controlled, resulting in the jealousy being a self-fulfilling prophecy. Jealousy creates distance, starts arguments, and makes people think and do crazy things.

Whether you are the jealous partner or whether your spouse is the jealous one, irrational jealousy can eventually destroy your marriage. Here are answers to frequent questions about jealousy and things you can do to overcome jealousy in your marriage.

Q: What is Jealousy?

A: "Jealousy is a reaction to a perceived threat either real or imagined, to a valued relationship or to its quality. A survey of marriage counselors indicates that jealousy is a problem in one third of all couples coming for marital therapy."

"A little jealousy is reassuring and may even be programmed into us. It’s very common. A lot of jealousy is scary, and has driven people to some very dangerous behavior. There’s no reason to believe that jealousy will improve with time or marriage ... Because jealousy goes right to the core of the self and its roots are deep, it is not something that can be banished by wishful thinking."

Q: Is Jealousy Natural?

A:  "In relationships where feelings of jealousy are mild and occasional, it reminds the couple not to take each other for granted. It can encourage couples to appreciate each other and make a conscious effort to make sure the other person feels valued. Jealousy heightens emotions, making love feel stronger and sex more passionate. In small, manageable doses, jealousy can be a positive force in a relationship. But when it's intense or irrational, the story is very different ... Occasional jealousy is natural and can keep a relationship alive, but when it becomes intense or irrational it can seriously damage a relationship."

Q: What Do Jealous People Feel?

A: Jealous individuals experience a multitude of feelings including fear, anger, humiliation, sense of failure, feeling suspicious, threatened, rage, grief, worry, envy, sadness, doubt, pain, and self-pity.

"Jealousy keeps us under a sense of discouraging frustration and disappointment. It makes us gloomy. It is such a depressing feeling that we cannot tell about it to even our best friends nor can we contain it within ourselves. Consequently, it leaves us with an inconvenience of a peculiar misery and if allowed to grow unchecked beyond a limit, it works like a slow poison to our healthy nature."

Q: Why are People Jealous?

A: Jealousy can be caused by many factors.

1. Unrealistic expectations about marriage in general.

2. Unrealistic expectations about your relationship with your spouse.

3. A misguided sense of ownership of your spouse.

4. Hurtful experience of abandonment in the past.

5. Poor self-image.

6. Insecurity.

7. Fear of being abandoned or betrayed.

8. Fear of losing someone or something important to them.

9. Intense possessiveness.

10. And finally, A desire to control.

Q: What are the Consequences of Irrational Jealousy in Marriage?

A. "For those who experience abnormal jealousy, the emotion sets up a self-fulfilling prophecy. As their associates try to avoid them, their worst fears of losing love and respect are realized."

These factors then sets in 1. Resentment. 

2. Increased lack of trust.

3. Anger.

4. Defensiveness.

5. More arguments.

6. Need for continual reassurance.

7. Depression.

8. Desire for revenge.

9. Constant questioning.

10. Physical reactions such as trembling, feeling dizzy, change in sleep patterns, and a change in eating habits.

11. Finally, the end of your marriage.

"People who feel secure and like themselves tend to be less jealous of others and less possessive of their partners, while those who have experienced abandonment or betrayal in their lives can become overwhelmed with jealousy. If you feel jealous, or if your partner does, it doesn’t matter. Eventually, jealousy will erode your relationship and destroy your marriage. Jealousy is a way to exert control in a relationship. Getting control of your jealousy does not mean getting control of your partner, it means getting a handle on your own emotions."

Q: How Can a Couple Handle Jealousy? Can jealousy be overcome?

A. "The answer is yes, but with great effort. Like most other difficult emotional experiences, jealousy, if treated correctly, can be a trigger for growth. It can become the first step in increased self-awareness and greater understanding both of your mate and of the relationship."

​Admit your jealous behavior and accept that your jealousy is hurting your marriage.

Discuss the roots of your or your spouse's jealous feelings.

Don't spy on your spouse.

As a jealous spouse, make a decision to change your behavior. You may need to get individual counseling.

Realize you can't control someone else.

Together, set fair ground rules that you can both live with.

If you are the non-jealous partner, don't lie or try to hide where you are or what you are doing. Keep reassuring your partner of your love for them. Don't do anything that will cause them to suspect you. Be open and truthful at all times, no matter how horrible it is. Seek professional help as a couple.