Understanding Jealousy in Relationships

Jealousy, at its most basic, is a lack of trust. One partner doesn’t trust the other to be loyal, or believes the partner is already being unfaithful. Jealousy manifests itself in one of two modes: preventative or evidence gathering.

In preventative mode, one partner does not want the other to have the opportunity to be unfaithful. To prevent any undesired activity, the jealous partner may make it difficult for their mate to have time away. While the mate is away they may be periodically or frequently contacted by the jealous partner with trivial or unimportant communication. Checking in reassures the jealous partner that their mate is where they are expected to be and not with someone threatening. Jealous partners in preventative mode may not believe something is going on at present, and they want to keep it that way.

A jealous partner in evidence gathering mode might employ the same tactics along with others specifically designed to catch their mate red-handed. One who is concerned that their mate is being unfaithful might resort to checking their mate’s phone messages and e-mails, following their mate without their knowledge or making accusations. Often those who believe their mate is already being disloyal will look for anything that is out of place, such as someone else’s hair, a strange perfume or cologne, or even a minute discrepancy in their mate’s schedule or story. The jealous partner in evidence gathering mode is obsessed with proving their suspicions true.

The next step for those who can relate to methods of preventative or evidence gathering jealousy should seek to determine the source of the jealousy. The problem can only be properly addressed once there is a true understanding of the source of the jealousy. People enter relationships with a history. Everything one has experienced based on their environment, what they’ve done and what’s been done to them affects their perspective. One who has been in a relationship with an unfaithful partner is likely to retain some portion of that experience and be less trusting than one who hasn’t had that experience.

Other experiences of lost or broken trust can contribute to the development of a jealous disposition. Someone who grew up in a home where one parent was unfaithful, or who has friends that have confided their infidelities may come to expect this behavior. Being disloyal can also color a person’s perspective based on their firsthand experience.

Are you having trouble dealing with jealousy in your relationship? Consulting with a Psychic Love Expert can help put your feelings into perspective. Just call 1-800-733-8899 and get the first 5 minutes of your first reading free.