How Jealousy Affects Your Health

Did you know that being jealous can negatively affect your health? In this article, we'll take a look at how jealousy affects your health.
How Jealousy Affects Your Health

Last update: 12 May, 2022

Jealousy is a complicated emotion. It’s an emotion you may experience when you feel like someone else is taking something or someone that is your. They may also feel jealousy or envy for the success or things that other people have that they want for themselves. In this article, we’ll take a look at the how jealousy affects your health.

There are two types of jealousy: “normal jealousy,” which is what people occasionally feel when they demand that there is more balanced actions. However, there is also pathological jealousy, better known as unhealthy jealousy.

We’ll look at each one in detail.

Normal Jealousy

This is the kind that a person feels because they’re worried or fear for losing a loved one.

This type of jealousy may generally based on concrete facts. However, it’s resolved easily through communication without having to resort to actions that have negative consequences.

Pathological  Jealousy

This type of jealousy is generally felt by people who have some kind of emotional imbalanceThey’re also usually very insecure.

This type of jealousy is very destructive and generally ends in tragedy.

The Differences Between the Two Types of Jealousy

jealousy affects your health

There is a big difference between these two types of jealousy.

While the first kind seeks transparency and demands respect from the person they are jealous of in a relationship, the second kind is extremely  intense. For pathologically jealous people, they expect the person they are jealous of to stay in a complete prison and not even look at anyone else, much less have any type of friendship with anyone. Unfortunately, it can even get to the point of having to give detailed reports of absolutely everything they did during the day.

Pathologically jealous people are obsessed with searching for clues that can lead them to discover their lover with another person. They search through pockets, cell phones, and can even resort to hiring private detectives to confirm their suspicions. People that have pathological or unhealthy jealousy tend to be very egotistical and uncaring.

Most people that have this type of jealousy and want to leave this terrible problem behind should undergo a specialized treatment. After all, it is a disease and should be treated like one.

Envy: Another Type of Pathological Jealousy?

Many confuse envy with jealousy. However, in reality, they are different feelings.

That’s why it is very important to learn how to recognize these differences. This way, you can correct the behaviors that are harmful for your mental and emotional health.

See also:

Hugs Seriously Benefit Your Emotional Health

The difference lies in the fact that envy is what you feel for something or someone that you want to have. Meanwhile, jealousy is felt when you fear losing someone or something that you already have.

Envy and jealousy are feelings that provoke bitterness and negativity for both the person who feels it as well as the one who is the object of them. Naturally, this is one of the many ways that jealousy affects your health.

In general, envious people  have certain characteristics:

  • They change the way they treat you if you’re successful.
  • Envious people always try to destroy your reputation.
  • They look for defects and criticize you for everything.
  • They make ironic comments and are very sarcastic.
  • Envious people are indifferent when you achieve something.

How Jealousy Affects Your Health

When we refer to jealousy and envy, we’re talking about feelings and emotions. Naturally, these play a role in your overall well-being, which is why jealousy affects your health.Typically, people who suffer from them regularly find it hard to find peace and happiness. 

This type of feeling is completely destructive both for the person that suffers from it as well as the one who receives it. Unfortunately, there are even the strange cases that the jealous person physically attacks the person they envy with no justification.

Thus, jealousy affects your health both directly and indirectly, as well as the health of others.

How Can Pathological Envy and Jealousy be Avoided?

jealousy affects your health

Respecting and being happy for the fortune of others and their freedom should be parents should teach their children. When we educate our children properly, they will learn to never hold in feelings of envy or egoism.

Since pathological jealousy is a disease, if you suffer from it, you should see a specialist. Otherwise, jealousy affects your health in a way that could begin to significantly harm your relationships.


All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.



This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.