Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological response typically experienced by victims of kidnapping or abuse. In this condition, the person being held captive or abused creates a solid emotional bond with their abusers and captors. In some cases, the victim also falls in love with their abuser and even feels sympathetic towards them. When you go into the details of what is Stockholm Syndrome, you’ll find that it works like a coping mechanism for the victim and that it can occur in everyday relationships.
Although the origins of Stockholm Syndrome can be linked directly to instances involving abuse and abduction, the definition has since expanded to any relationship where the victim experiences similar levels of compassion towards their abusers, even if the relationship is unhealthy.
The meaning behind the name:
Stockholm Syndrome was named after an incidentin Stockholm, Sweden, in 1973. The bank robbers held their employees of the bank captive for 6 days, during which many of the victims started feeling sympathetic toward the robbers.
In fact, their feelings of empathy were so high that a few of them raised some money to be sued in their defense during the active court case, while some refused to testify against the robbers.
Characteristics of Stockholm Syndrome:
- The victim feels significant sympathy and compassion towards their abusers/perpetrators.
- There seems to be no effort from the victim’s end to escape their captivity.
- Not cooperating with the authorities such as the police or the legal team when testifying against the culprits.
- A strong belief that their perpetrators are good people
Other than these, the victims may even experience PTSD from the time they were being held captive or abused. It manifests itself in flashbacks, nightmares, and detaching from reality often.
What can cause Stockholm Syndrome?
There is no known cause for Stockholm Syndrome. However, there have been tons of research to discover why it happens to some while others are free from it. A prevalent theory is that it is a survival technique passed down from our ancestors, who had to fight for their survival every day.
Thus, when captured / trapped or stuck in a place with their enemies, the best way to escape was to side with them and increase their survival chances.
Is there any treatment for people suffering from Stockholm Syndrome?
Understanding that the condition is not what it looks like at face value. Still, a psychological response to the trauma, you can better understand how the syndrome manifests itself in the victim.
One of the best ways to treat people suffering from Stockholm Syndrome is talk therapy coupled with psychoeducation. This will help the victim get a better understanding of what is happening to them. In this way, they have a better chance of accepting additional treatment for any comorbid disorders like PTSD and depression, which are shared with victims of Stockholm Syndrome.
Psychotherapy typically involves teaching different coping mechanisms which are much healthier and more progressive for the patient.
Typically, talk therapy or psychotherapy for such patients is very long. However, with patience comes excellent recovery rates. If you know anyone going through such a situation, the best way to help is to encourage prolonged counseling and therapy.
