“There are two types of jealousy: Reactive and suspicious," says Dr. Terri Orbuch, a psychologist, professor, and marriage and family therapist known as “The Love Doctor.” “Reactive jealousy is when you become aware of an actual threat to your relationship. But many women experience suspicious jealousy, which occurs when your partner hasn’t misbehaved. With this type of jealousy, your suspicions don’t fit the facts at hand, and it often results in worried, mistrustful behaviors to try to confirm your suspicions.”

To help you avoid letting jealousy turn you into a psycho, top relationship experts suggest the following advice.

Be Confident In Yourself.
“Jealousy often stems from the fact that we’re very insecure. Don’t compare yourself to your boyfriend's ex-girlfriend. He likes and wants you now, so whatever the ex has or looks like, he doesn't want anymore,” says Orbuch. “Focus on your strengths, and the things he likes about you. Remember, your self-worth is not related to your partner’s past relationships.”

Don’t Let Him Know You’re Jealous.
Whether you prefer to talk to your best friend, mother, sister or therapist, it’s usually better to discuss your jealousy with anyone other than your boyfriend. “Once you’ve talked about the jealousy with someone else, or even listened to yourself talk about it, it can help put the jealously into perspective,” says April Masini, author of Think & Date Like A Man . “If the jealousy stems from your own insecurity, you don’t want to demonstrate that to him.”