Stockholm syndrome: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response that can occur in people who find themselves in a stressful situation, such as in the case of kidnappings, house arrest or situations of abuse, for example, causing the victim, subconsciously, to establish sympathy or a more personal connection and emotional bonds of friendship or affection with the aggressor, rather than fear or repulsion, as a way of preserving life.

This syndrome was first described in 1973 after the kidnapping of a bank in Stockholm, Sweden, in which the victims established bonds of friendship with the kidnappers, so that they ended up visiting them in prison, in addition to stating that there was no of physical or psychological violence that could suggest that their lives were in danger.

Stockholm syndrome is treated through psychotherapy to help alleviate symptoms caused by traumatic situations, such as anxiety or depression, as well as helping to understand one’s own behavior and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Symptoms of Stockholm syndrome

The main symptoms of Stockholm syndrome are:

• Development of positive feelings towards the aggressor;
• Sympathy for the aggressor’s beliefs, values, goals and behavior;
• Development of emotional identification or bonds of friendship, affection or love for the aggressor;
• Development of negative feelings towards the police, authorities or other people who are helping the victim to get away from the attacker;
• Resentment of the victim towards anyone trying to help her escape the attacker;
• Desire to protect the aggressor.

Furthermore, over time, due to the emotional bonds created, small acts of kindness on the part of aggressors, for example, tend to be magnified by people who have the syndrome, which makes them feel safer and more at ease. given the situation and that any type of threat is forgotten or disregarded.

Stockholm syndrome is not listed in the manual of psychiatric diseases and, therefore, does not have scientifically proven or widely studied signs and symptoms. However, it is possible to identify this syndrome through the characteristics that can be noticed when the person is in a situation of stress and tension in which your life is at risk.

Some people with Stockholm syndrome may also experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as having intense memories or “flashbacks“, irritation, anxiety, nervousness, problems concentrating, or feeling suspicious or having less interest in pleasant and pleasurable activities. See other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Possible causes

The exact cause of Stockholm syndrome is not completely known, but it is believed to be a psychological response triggered by the feeling of insecurity, isolation and/or threats, which develops when a person is held hostage, as a way for the subconscious to preserve life. .

Some factors that have been identified that may influence the development of this syndrome are:

• Personality type and personal history of the person taken hostage;
• Need for approval from authority figures, such as boss or parents;
• Time the victim spent with the kidnapper;
• Being held hostage for a long time;
• Sharing spaces in poor conditions with the aggressor;
• Depending on the aggressor for basic needs, such as using the bathroom;
• Humanization of the victim by the aggressor.

However, there are other studies that indicate that other factors can also lead to Stockholm syndrome, such as identification with the aggressor, need for security and hope that makes the hostage ignore the negative side of the situation and the kidnapper.

How the treatment is carried out

As Stockholm syndrome is not easily identifiable, only when the person is at risk, there is no specific treatment for this type of syndrome.

Furthermore, the characteristics of Stockholm Syndrome are due to the subconscious response, and it is not possible to verify the reason why they actually happen, however it is believed that those who have suffered some traumatic experience, such as abusive relationships and sexual abuse, for example, develop this syndrome more easily.

Although there is no well-established treatment, this syndrome can be treated like stress syndromes, with cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and in more serious cases, medications such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, for example.