It is natural for a person to seek to defend himself against those who harm, detain, or abuse him in various ways. The least he can do is not sympathize with those who try to harm him. However, what is considered unusual is for the victim to love his tormentor or sympathize with his attacker. This phenomenon is known as "Stockholm Syndrome". What exactly is this syndrome? And why is it called this name? Dalili Medical will review the causes of Stockholm Syndrome, its symptoms, and ways to support people who suffer from it.

What are the signs of Stockholm Syndrome?

 

Stockholm Syndrome includes the development of positive feelings towards the kidnappers or aggressors during long periods of captivity or in cases of abuse.

. What are the factors that cause Stockholm Syndrome?

 

Stockholm Syndrome is believed to arise as a result of psychological responses to trauma, where captives feel that they depend on their captors for survival.

. What is the psychological impact of Stockholm Syndrome?

 

This syndrome can lead to long-term emotional and psychological effects, such as difficulty trusting others and forming healthy relationships.

. Can Stockholm syndrome occur in contexts other than hostage-taking?

Yes, Stockholm syndrome can develop in other abusive or controlling environments, such as domestic violence or sectarian settings.

. What are some well-known cases of Stockholm syndrome?

 

One famous case is that of Patty Hearst, who suffered from Stockholm syndrome after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.

What is Stockholm syndrome?

 

Stockholm syndrome is named after a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, in which hostages showed loyalty and defense to their captors, even refusing to testify against them in court. This syndrome is characterized by an ambivalent relationship dynamic, where victims show feelings of loyalty and affection towards their captors despite the risks and harm they are exposed to. It is a psychological response that arises as a result of being held or captured, which leads to the formation of a psychological bond between the affected person and their captors, where the captive begins to empathize with them. Stockholm syndrome also includes other types of trauma in which bonds are formed between the aggressor and the victim. Many psychiatrists consider this response a psychological mechanism used to cope with the conditions of survival after exposure to trauma or abuse. Other psychological conditions associated with it include:

- Traumatic bonding.

- Learned helplessness.

- Battered person syndrome.

**What are the signs of Stockholm syndrome?**

 

Individuals with Stockholm syndrome begin to show feelings of empathy towards their abusers, and may feel that these abusers are justified in their actions. They may also begin to justify physical and emotional abuse, believing that they deserve what they are subjected to. Although these feelings and behaviors may seem irrational, they are considered normal responses from the victim to survive and minimize the harm they are experiencing.

**Is Stockholm Syndrome a Type of Love?**

 

Although Stockholm Syndrome may appear as a deep emotional attachment, it is not true love. This similarity can make it difficult to distinguish between the syndrome and true love, but it is important to know that healthy relationships do not involve any type of abuse or harm between partners.

**How ​​Can We Support Someone With Stockholm Syndrome?**

 

To help support someone with Stockholm Syndrome, we must be patient, compassionate, and understanding. It is important to allow them to express their feelings and experiences without dismissing or belittling them. Information about the syndrome and its effects can also be provided, and the reasons for their feelings and behaviors can be explained. Additionally, help with psychological counseling can be offered if appropriate.

**Causes of Stockholm Syndrome**

**Psychological and Emotional Factors** Stockholm Syndrome develops as a result of a complex interplay of psychological and emotional factors. The primary motivation is the victim’s survival instinct. When hostages are exposed to life-threatening situations, they may develop an emotional bond with their captors as a way to cope. This bond can be seen as a strategy to minimize harm and increase their chances of survival.

**Relationship Dynamics** The relationship dynamics of Stockholm Syndrome are often driven by an imbalance of power. The captors exert control and dominance, while the victims are rendered helpless. Over time, the victim may begin to feel empathy for the captor, making even a simple act of kindness seem significant. This dynamic can lead to a complex mix of fear, dependence, and gratitude.

**Life Preservation** The person affected feels that their life is in danger, leading them to empathize with the aggressor as a means of protecting themselves and staying alive.

**Clear Power Difference**

There are noticeable power differences between the victim and the abuser, making the victim subject to any decisions imposed on them by the abuser.

**Isolation** Due to the long period of time the affected person spends with the abuser, and his inability to communicate with anyone else, his relationship with others diminishes.

**Time Perception** As a result of the continuous psychological pressure on the victim for a long period, he may lose his sense of time, which leads to increased sympathy for the abuser.

**Some abusers treat him kindly** Some abusers may show kindness towards their victims by providing comfort and offering food and drink, which enhances the victim's feelings of sympathy and makes him feel that the abuser is a good person.

**Threat** The abuser's threat to the victim, whether through physical or psychological harm, is one of the main factors that contribute to the development of Stockholm Syndrome.

What are the symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome?

 

Stockholm Syndrome sometimes appears in the context of love towards the abusers, where the affected person feels feelings of sympathy for the criminals or a desire to protect them. Here are some of the main symptoms of this syndrome:

1. **Positive feelings toward the perpetrator**: Some individuals may feel positive feelings toward the aggressors or prisoners, which is one of the symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome.

2. **Negative feelings toward the police**: In addition to positive feelings toward criminals, sufferers may develop negative feelings toward police officers or anyone who tries to help them get rid of their attackers.

3. **Perceive the humanity of criminals**: When a person suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, they begin to see humanity in the criminal or the family, and the victim may believe that the criminal has the same goals and values ​​as them.

4. **Support for criminal behavior**: In some cases, sufferers show support for criminal behavior, in addition to endorsing the reasons that led them to commit crimes against family or assault others.

5. **Signs of post-traumatic stress disorder**: People with this syndrome experience a range of symptoms similar to those of post-traumatic stress disorder, such as a lack of trust, being easily startled, in addition to difficulties concentrating, and experiencing nightmares

**Ongoing mental health problems** The psychological impact of Stockholm Syndrome can be profound and long-lasting. Victims may suffer from chronic symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The emotional bond with the kidnapper complicates the healing process, as victims struggle with feelings of guilt and confusion.

**Impact on Personal Relationships** This syndrome also impacts the personal relationships of victims. Common challenges faced by individuals who have experienced Stockholm Syndrome include trust issues, difficulty setting healthy boundaries, and fear of authority figures.

**Complications of Stockholm Syndrome**

Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological disorder, although it is not classified as a mental illness. However, it has many negative effects. If left untreated, the patient may feel guilty and embarrassed when interacting with others, which can lead to withdrawal and a loss of interest in social interaction. This syndrome can also contribute to the development of other psychological disorders, increasing the risk of depression and social isolation.

**Can Stockholm Syndrome Occur in Athletes?**

 

Yes, Stockholm Syndrome can occur in athletes. Sometimes, trainees may be abused by their trainers, yet these trainees may show empathy for their trainers, which one study described as an example of Stockholm Syndrome. However, this syndrome is usually associated with kidnapping or assault.

**What is the difference between Stockholm Syndrome and Masochism?*

 

There is a major difference between Stockholm Syndrome and masochism. People with Stockholm Syndrome show empathy for their kidnappers or abusers, while masochism is about enjoying pain, often of a sexual nature, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. However, there are several types of masochism.

**Sexual Masochism:** Sexual Masochism refers to individuals enjoying the experience of pain as part of sexual pleasure, and is also known as erotic masochism.

**Psychological Masochism:** Psychological Masochism refers to the enjoyment of psychological pain experiences, and is a type of non-sexual masochism. This psychological pain can be caused by internal feelings or influences from others.

**Emotional masochism:** Sometimes, individuals resort to invoking suffering as a way to relieve feelings of guilt, which is known as moral masochism. Examples include: self-punishment or self-sacrifice as a form of compassion for others.

**Adaptive masochism:** Adaptive masochism refers to enjoying temporary periods of discomfort or pain, followed by a feeling of delayed gratification. For example, a person may save a favorite meal and eat it later to enjoy the pain of waiting.

Are there signs of masochism?

 

There are certainly many signs that may indicate masochism, and some of these signs differ from the symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome. Here are the most prominent signs of masochism:

1. **Refusing help in difficult times**: Individuals with masochism may prefer to endure pain or face difficult situations rather than seek help from others or get the comfort they need.

2. **Searching for situations that require self-sacrifice**: Sometimes people with masochism seek situations that require them to sacrifice themselves, as they put the needs of others before their own, which often leads to them suffering from these behaviors.

3. **Lack of assertiveness**: Some people with masochism may adapt to the point of submission, as they rarely defend themselves or resist the attacks they are exposed to.

4. **Sabotaging opportunities for success**: People with masochism tend to destroy their opportunities for success, and this behavior is often associated with the feeling of pleasure resulting from defeat.

5. **Relationships with controlling people**: People with masochism enter into relationships with controlling or narcissistic people who humiliate them.

6**Self-denial: Self-denial behaviors are often associated with masochism, as this includes enjoying deprivation of favorite things, neglecting personal needs, and being satisfied with behaviors that cause them discomfort.

7**Negative self-talk: Sometimes, persistent negative self-talk can indicate masochistic tendencies, especially if no effort is made to address these painful self-talk.

**Stockholm Syndrome in Everyday Relationships**

 

Stockholm Syndrome is primarily defined as the hostage’s empathy for the captor, or the victim’s empathy for the perpetrator. However, its concept has been expanded to include intimate everyday relationships, such as parental relationships, romance, and friendships. Thus, this syndrome can appear in a variety of relationships, including:

- **Child Abuse**: Child abuse is an extremely traumatic experience, especially when children are threatened or physically harmed. Sometimes, the abuser may interpret his or her behavior as love orChildhood, which leads to the development of an emotional bond between the child and the abuser.

- **Sports**: Children and young people who have abusive coaches can experience Stockholm Syndrome, where they may begin to justify and defend the coach’s behavior, and may even feel sympathy for him or her.

- **Domestic Abuse**: Domestic violence, whether physical, emotional, or sexual, can disrupt the emotional bond between the victim and the abuser. Survivors of domestic violence may continue to feel love and affection for their partners, despite being abused.

- **Sex Trafficking**: People forced into sex trafficking activities become dependent on their captors to meet their basic needs, which reinforces feelings of attachment to them.

**Groups at Risk for Stockholm Syndrome**

Some groups are at higher risk for Stockholm Syndrome, including prisoners of war, children exposed to domestic violence, and prisoners. Here is a breakdown of these categories:

**Children**When a child is abused by their parents or teachers, it can have a variety of psychological and physical effects. However, the child may interpret some of the kindness and affection they receive as genuine love, which strengthens the emotional bond between them and the abuser.

**Athletes**Athletes who deal with harsh or abusive coaches may be at risk of developing Stockholm Syndrome. The athlete may begin to interpret the coach’s negative behavior as an expression of love and fear, which leads them to adhere to their instructions even if they are inappropriate.

**Victims of Sexual Assault**Victims of sexual assault can develop strong bonds with their abusers. Although this is not common, it does happen in some cases.

**Diagnosing Stockholm Syndrome**

Stockholm Syndrome is difficult to diagnose, as it is not officially classified as a mental illness. However, symptoms and behaviors resulting from traumatic and painful situations can indicate the presence of this syndrome.

**Stockholm Syndrome Treatment**

**Cognitive Behavioral Therapy**Cognitive behavioral therapy helps individuals understand the experiences they have gone through, as well as the behaviors and feelings that the victim had towards the aggressor. This understanding contributes to learning strategies and methods to overcome the crisis and regain daily life and activity.

**Pharmacological treatment**Medications are used to treat disorders and diseases associated with Stockholm Syndrome, such as mood disorders, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

**Methods of treating Stockholm Syndrome patients**

 

People with Stockholm Syndrome can be helped to overcome their feelings, but it is necessary to first understand the nature of this condition in order to deal with the patient correctly. Here are some effective ways to support them:

1. Explain the nature of what the patient is suffering from, explaining the causes and symptoms, as he may not be aware of what is happening to him.

2. Avoid pressuring the patient to convince him that the perpetrator is a bad person, as this may lead to a negative reaction and increase his stubbornness.

3. Listening well to the patient and not mocking his feelings or thoughts, especially regarding his experience with the perpetrator.

4. Not making decisions on behalf of the patient or trying to direct him, as he must make his own decisions to regain his self-confidence and strength.

5. Encouraging the patient to participate in group sessions with people who are going through similar experiences, which helps him exchange feelings and facilitates the healing process.

6. Treating anxiety, depression and post-traumatic symptoms by prescribing appropriate medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications.

7. Providing support from family and friends is vital in the recovery process from Stockholm Syndrome.