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Jealousy, the green-eyed monster, has been a staple of literature and film for centuries. From Shakespeare's tragic heroes to Hitchcock's suspenseful thrillers, jealousy has been a driving force behind countless plots. But have you ever wondered if there's more to this emotion than meets the eye?

Psychologists are reporting a surge in cases of Rebecca syndrome, a psychological condition characterized by obsessive jealousy and insecurity. While we're accustomed to feeling jealous about present-day threats to our relationships, Rebecca syndrome takes this emotion a step further, focusing on past relationships and imagined scenarios.

In this gallery, we'll delve into what's behind this syndrome, its causes, symptoms, and how to manage its effects. So, if you've ever felt a pang of retroactive jealousy that just won't quit, read on.

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Studies suggest that jealousy is a relatively common experience in relationships.

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A 2017 study published in the Taylor & Francis Psychiatry and Clinical Psychopharmacology journal, which examined married couples in relationship counseling, found that 79% of men and 66% of women admitted to experiencing jealousy.

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Jealousy has inspired countless works of art, including Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel, 'Rebecca.' This classic tale follows a young woman who struggles to cope with her husband’s deceased first wife’s enduring legacy.

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In 1940, Alfred Hitchcock brought the tale to the big screen. Judith Anderson (1898-1992) portrayed the intimidating housekeeper still loyal to the late Rebecca, tormenting the anxious Joan Fontaine (1917-2013) as the new wife.

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In 2020, Netflix released a remake of the classic, starring Lily James as the newlywed battling the shadow of her husband's first wife.

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Dr. Darian Leader, a psychoanalyst and founding member of the Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research in London, drew inspiration from the novel and coined the term "Rebecca syndrome" to refer to retroactive jealousy.

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In a recent analysis, psychotherapist Toby Ingham describes patients with Rebecca syndrome as those who become "fixated" on their partner's ex-partner.

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Despite its name and the fact that the main character of the story that inspired the syndrome was a woman, the syndrome can affect people of all genders and sexual orientations.

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While "regular" jealousy typically arises from a perceived threat to the present relationship, people with Rebecca syndrome experience jealousy related to past relationships and situations that occurred before their current one.

▲While everyone can experience jealousy, some individuals become obsessive, spiraling into anxiety even at the mere thought of their partner's ex.

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But how can one spot the signs of the condition and differentiate it from "normal" levels of jealousy?

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People suffering from this condition may find themselves comparing their appearance, intelligence, and intimacy level to their partner's former lovers.

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Rebecca syndrome can make people feel insecure, causing them to question everything about their relationship.

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This fixation can escalate into obsessional neurosis, a condition characterized by intrusive, compulsive thoughts that dominate the mind, as detailed by Ingham in an online essay.

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Ingham highlights that he's seen an increasing number of people inquiring about Rebecca syndrome since 2018.

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He believes the rise in inquiries is due to increased online searching and self-diagnosis of an"obsessional problem," which he strongly advises against.

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A 2018 interview-based study published in Sage Journals suggests that social media may contribute to retroactive jealousy by making it easier to access details of an ex-partner's past relationships.

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What triggers such an intense reaction? A 2017 systematic review of 230 studies on romantic jealousy found that it often stems from low self-esteem and past experiences of infidelity.

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However, Ingham explains that rather than stemming directly from relationships, retroactive jealousy often has its roots in childhood experiences, which is why the term Rebecca syndrome is also used in child psychology.

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"While these early problems are unique to each individual, they may, for example, stem from feeling overlooked by a parent who favored a sibling," Ingham told MailOnline.

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Feeling unimportant or excluded within our birth family can also trigger the sentiment. "The problem is that we tend to lose sight of these early experiences and instead project these issues onto our current relationship," he explains.

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As some people become too absorbed in their projections, they end up feeling vulnerable and excluded, even when they aren't.

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If you suspect you may be experiencing Rebecca syndrome, specialists suggest a few strategies to address it.

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Consider whether your anxiety and intrusive thoughts about your partner's ex might stem from your own past, rather than your current relationship.

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Activities like journaling, meditation, and breathing exercises can help you reconnect with yourself and begin to heal past trauma.

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Avoid scrolling through your partner's old social media profiles or their ex-partners' accounts. This can trigger unnecessary emotional turmoil.

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While it may be tempting to look back at old pictures, including those with their ex, this can exacerbate feelings of jealousy and make it easier to fall into negative thought patterns, Ingham warned.

▲Ingham also advises against asking too many details about your partner's past that you may regret learning. "Oversharing at the start of a new relationship often comes back to haunt us," he said.

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Talking to a therapist can also help address insecurities stemming from past trauma and develop a tangible plan for managing triggers that perpetuate the behavior.

Sources: (New York Post) (Daily Mail)