Debbi and Steve Wood’s relationship has been anything but ordinary. After meeting in 2011, the couple quickly fell in love, but their relationship took a dramatic turn when Debbi’s intense jealousy started to spiral out of control. In an attempt to manage her fears of infidelity, Debbi has gone to extreme lengths—forcing Steve to take a lie detector test every time he returns home, even after a short trip to the store.
Debbi’s jealousy, while once more typical, grew stronger after she was betrayed in a previous relationship. Diagnosed with Othello Syndrome—a condition where people falsely believe their partner is cheating without evidence—Debbi began taking drastic measures to maintain control over Steve and ensure his loyalty. Though Steve admits the polygraph tests have become less frequent over time, Debbi still keeps a tight grip on their life together, monitoring his TV-watching habits and even placing child-proof filters on his devices.
One of the most unsettling moments occurred after a trip to the local shop in 2019, when Debbi used a polygraph app to test Steve’s response to a simple question: Did he notice any women in the store? While Steve truthfully denied any wrongdoing, the app suggested otherwise, causing Debbi to accuse him of lying. She even admitted to throwing objects out of frustration when her jealousy gets the best of her.
Despite the ongoing tension, Steve remains supportive of Debbi. He understands the struggles she faces with her mental health conditions, which include not only Othello Syndrome but also bipolar disorder and body dysmorphic disorder. “I know she’s worth it,” Steve says. “It’s hard sometimes, but I love her and we’ll get through it.”
For Debbi, the emotional toll of her jealousy has been compounded by public scrutiny, especially after her appearance in a 2015 documentary. Though she felt the show unfairly focused on her weight rather than her mental health, Debbi remains adamant that her actions are tied to her well-being. Still, she knows that without Steve’s patience and support, their relationship wouldn’t have survived.
In an effort to boost her self-confidence, Debbi is also considering gastric band surgery, hoping it will improve her body image and help her feel more “normal” in her own skin.
While their relationship remains complicated, Debbi is open about her struggles and hopes that others facing similar challenges will feel less alone. She acknowledges that while her jealousy may seem extreme, it’s part of her reality—and it’s one that she and Steve continue to navigate together.
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