When Debbi met Steve in 2011, she believed she had found the love of her life. However, her extreme jealousy and the measures she takes to ensure his fidelity have left many shocked.
Jealousy can be a powerful and destructive force in relationships. For most, itâs a fleeting feeling that passes, but for some, it becomes an all-consuming obsession.
One womanâs extreme measures to combat her jealousy have led her to a controversial and highly scrutinized practice: making her husband take a lie detector test every time he comes home.
Debbi and Steve Wood have been together since 2011. While living in her native Scotland, Debbi met Steve through a mutual friend on Facebook. After several weeks of exchanging messages, she traveled to London for their first date.
She recalled, âI knew we were meant to be a couple when we shared our first kiss under London Bridge. I didnât mean to fall in love again after my last relationship but Steve stole my heart.â Their relationship quickly became serious, leading to plans to move in together and eventually get married.
Debbie and Steve Wood outside their house, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
Debbi admitted that she doesnât always find common ground with Steve, but she knew he was the one because he touched her heart and made her feel at home.
âWell, when youâve got a good man, youâre not going to let him go, are you?â she shared during an interview with ITVâs âThis Morning.â
However, Debbiâs extreme jealousy began to surface, complicating their relationship significantly. Diagnosed with Othello Syndrome, a psychiatric disorder that causes sufferers to believe their partners have been unfaithful without any evidence, Debbiâs condition has driven her to extraordinary measures.
Debbi Wood using her cell phone, as seen in a video dated January 25 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
Debbiâs jealousy wasnât always this extreme; she used to be âyour average jealous female,â but after being cheated on by a previous abusive partner, her jealousy intensified.
Steve reassured the hosts of âThis Morningâ that the lie detector tests are now used far less frequently than before. They are conducted âas many times in a month as [they] would in a weekâ or even less, âlike once in a blue moon.â
Steve Wood sharing his thoughts on his relationship with Debbi, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
However, Steveâs activities are still heavily restricted. He enjoys watching football and formula racing, but Debbi monitors even these shows to ensure he isnât ogling women in the audience.
Debbiâs jealousy extends to banning Steve from watching television entirely at times. She explained, âAll women have an inner beauty, but for a man, it goes beyond thatâŠlusting after a woman mentally. Mentally having some sort of intimate fantasy about them as opposed to actually just admiring that personâs beauty.â
Debbie Wood in an angry mood, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
Debbiâs paranoia and need for control have led her to impose strict rules on Steve. She has installed child-proof filters on his laptop and phone to prevent him from viewing explicit content.
When The Couple First Moved In Together, Debbiâs Jealousy Worsened.
She admitted that even a 15-minute trip to buy milk would require Steve to take a lie detector test upon his return. âI get so worried that heâs been eyeing up the shop assistant that I just have to know the truth.â
Debbi Wood holding her phoneâs screen showing the lie detector app, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
In a documentary shared by âOnly Humanâ in January 2019, Debbiâs jealousy was on full display as she made Steve take a lie detector test on her phone which also made use of polygraphs. This occurred after Steve had convinced Debbi to visit their local shop, her first outing in eight months.
When they returned, Debbi decided to test Steveâs loyalty. She first asked if he noticed any women in the shop, to which he replied, âCanât say as I did. No.â
A relieved Debbi told him, âIâm impressed youâre telling the truth.â
Steve Wood taking the lie detector test on Debbiâs phone, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
However, when asked if he found Mel B attractive, Steveâs negative response was deemed a lie by the app. Debbi made him retake the test multiple times, each time accusing him of lying. Debbi explained that the app was at least 60% accurate and used a polygraph.
In addition to her Othello Syndrome, Debbi also suffers from bipolar and body dysmorphic disorders, which further complicate her mental health and relationship dynamics. When the couple first moved in together, Debbiâs jealousy worsened.
A picture of Mel B on a newspaper in a shop, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
Debbie began keeping an eye on Steveâs online activity and even banned him from watching any content that featured women. âOne night, an advert for a womenâs razor came on television and I felt panicky thinking that Steve was eyeing the model up,â Debbi shared.
Her jealousy was so intense that she ordered a lie detector online to ensure Steveâs eyes werenât wandering. Debbiâs condition and actions have not gone unnoticed. In 2015, she appeared in the Channel 5 documentary â87 stone: Fat Chance of Work,â which she later claimed misrepresented her.
Debbi and Steve Wood, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
The documentary, she said, focused unfairly on her weight rather than her genuine conditions that prevent her from working. This portrayal led to online abuse and threats, further isolating Debbi.
Debbi explained that the documentary made her look like she was bossing Steve around, but in reality, he was helping her through a difficult time.
âEverything has been [sensationalized]. Iâve had vile threats over social media and just open abuse, preventing me from wanting to leave the house,â she said. Despite this, Debbi insists that her jealousy-driven behaviors are necessary for her peace of mind.
Debbi Wood looking displeased, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
Despite these extreme measures, Debbi and Steve have found ways to cope. Both spend a lot of their time gaming, which Debbi claims has helped her manage her Othello Syndrome.
She shared, âSpending so much time on the Xbox has helped me get some control over my jealousy. My mind has been able to focus elsewhere rather than me obsessing over what my husband is doing.â
Research indicates that approximately 15 percent of those suffering from Othello Syndrome have exhibited violence towards their partners.
Debbi Wood gets upset while Steve takes the lie detector test on her phone, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/Debbi Wood, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
Debbi admitted, âMy jealousy has driven me to breaking point and sometimes Iâve thrown stuff across the room. I put Steve through a lot but heâs stood by me through it all so I know heâs the man for me.â
âI think lots of women out there must be suffering from the same condition and just not realize it. I think itâs because of the pressure society puts on us to look a certain wayâŠIâm lucky my partner is so understanding â others might not be so fortunate,â she added.
Debbi Wood holding her cell phone, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
Steve admitted life with Debbi could be tough but insisted she was worth it. He expressed:
âSometimes, I get nervous and the lie detector test results come back inconclusive because my heart is hammering, which makes Debbi doubt me. I just have to tell her I havenât cheated and pray she believes me. Iâm willing to put up with it, because I know weâre soulmates. Sheâs so special to me and a bit of jealousy here and there wonât change that.â
Debbi Wood sharing her thoughts on being overweight, as seen in a video dated January 25, 2019 | Source: Facebook/OnlyHumanChannel
Debbiâs desire for more confidence has led her to seek gastric band surgery, which she hopes the NHS will fund. âI have a small frame because I wasnât always overweight. This small frame is carrying an extra ten/eleven stone more than what it should do,â said Debbi.
She emphasized how the surgery would help improve her physical well-being and overall confidence. Debbi hopes the surgery will enable her to enjoy life more fully with Steve and regain a sense of normalcy.
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Hi, Iâm Lauren, and I want to share an experience that changed everything for me. Steve and I met in college, and from the moment we locked eyes, it was like the universe had conspired to bring us together.
A young couple looking at each other | Source: Midjourney
He was charming, athletic, and had a smile that could light up a room. I was the more studious type, always with my nose in a book, but Steveâs infectious energy drew me in. We quickly became inseparable, and after graduation, we got married in a small ceremony with just our close friends and family.
Our life together was mostly wonderful. We bought a cozy little house in the suburbs and filled it with laughter, shared dreams, and spontaneous adventures.
A bride and groom passing through a field during the golden hour | Source: Unsplash
Steve loved sports, especially skiing, and every winter, weâd take a trip to our favorite ski resort in Vermont. It was our thing, a tradition we both cherished.
I remember one night, sitting by the fireplace, Steve looked at me with his warm brown eyes. âYou know, I think I fall in love with you more every day,â he said, squeezing my hand.