Getting To Know Rebecca Syndrome's Phenomenon, Jealousy About Couple's Past Relations

Illustration of the pair (Pexels/Vera Arsic)

JAKARTA - Have you ever felt jealous of your partner's past relationship for no apparent reason? It could be that this is a symptom of Rebecca Syndrome.

The term is taken from the novel Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier which was published in 1938. This novel tells the story of the second wife of a widower who feels she will never compete with the late first wife who is admired by many for her beauty and perfection.

In this era, which is all online, the phenomenon of Rebecca Syndrome is increasingly occurring in society. Quoting from Bored Panda, Tuesday, January 21, 2025, many people have been affected by Rebecca Syndrome because the past of the couple is easy to access.

Psychologist Dr. Louise Goddard Crawley said that some people can be obsessed with their partner's past relationships even though there is no rational reason to feel jealous. One of the common signs of this syndrome is an obsession that makes individuals constantly think about their partner's past relationship.

Over time, these unpleasant feelings can develop into controlling and disturbing behavior. People who experience this syndrome can become suspicious or paranoid about their partner's past, even believing that ex-partners can be a threat to the relationship they are in.

A study conducted at the University of Bern, Switzerland, in 2022, Rebecca Syndrome can occur due to childhood trauma, which affects patterns of jealousy in relationships as an adult. Researchers found that individuals who experience emotional neglect or inconsistent affection from their caregivers tend to show a higher level of jealousy in the future.

With its impact that can make emotional stress and damage relationships, Rebecca Syndrome must be addressed immediately. You can overcome this with the first step, namely asking yourself if your anxiety is related to your own past.

Then you can overcome this by limiting access to your partner's social media, trying therapy and awareness of jealousy, doing creative activities such as writing or painting, to doing meditation and yoga to calm yourself down.