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Why do we feel jealousy? Therapists often regard the demon as a scar of childhood trauma or a symptom of a psychological problem. And it's true that people who feel inadequate, insecure, or overly dependent tend to be more jealous than others.
Helen Fisher
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Jealousy often stems from personal insecurities and emotional traumas.

Helen Fisher's quote highlights the psychological origins of jealousy, suggesting that it is not merely a reaction to external situations but rather a deeper reflection of an individual's emotional and psychological state. Those who feel insecure or carry scars from childhood experiences may be more prone to feelings of jealousy, indicating that such emotions can often be tied to personal issues rather than the actions of others.

Themes

JealousyInsecurityRelationshipsPsychologyTrauma

In practice

Example use cases

During a therapy session, I explained to my clients how jealousy can be a reflection of their insecurities, using Helen Fisher's quote.

More from Helen Fisher

[Women] tend to collect more pieces of data when they think, put them into more complex patterns, see more options and outcomes. They tend to be contextual, holistic thinkers.
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People live for love. They kill for love. They die for love. They have songs, poems, novels, sculptures, paintings, myths, legends. It's one of the most powerful brain systems on Earth for both great joy and great sorrow.
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Your sweetheart calls you by another's name. His eyes linger too long on your best friend. He talks with excitement about a girl at work. And the fire catches. Jealousy - that sickening combination of possessiveness, suspicion, rage, and humiliation - can overtake your mind and threaten your very core as you contemplate your rival.
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Most of us make up our minds in the first three minutes of meeting someone whether there's a potential for a relationship.
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People have often asked me whether what I know about love has spoiled it for me. And I just simply say, 'Hardly.' You can know every single ingredient in a piece of chocolate cake, and then when you sit down and eat that cake, you can still feel that joy.
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