Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response to detention and harassment. What does this mean? A person with Stockholm syndrome will develop a positive relationship with their captor, captor or abuser. This condition occurs because a person is threatened, both physically and psychologically.

People with this syndrome will act and speak in a fashion that can help neutralize the emotions and malicious behavior of their abuser. They think that by doing so, the situation can be diffused and other bad acts will stop coming their way. Chances are, this condition arises as a form of trauma coping.

Another possibility is that under these circumstances, cooperating with the perpetrator is the best option to keep them safe. A simple example is that a kidnapped person builds a good relationship with his kidnapper. He will feel grateful when he is not physically abused as before.

Stockholm syndrome occurs when a victim begins to build a positive relationship with the perpetrator.

Signs of Stockholm Syndrome

Stockholm syndrome is more common in people who are in hostage situations. The abused person becomes emotionally attached to the abuser. Unfortunately, the victim is often unaware that they are experiencing stockholm syndrome. The signs are as follows:

• Feel attracted to, begin to support, and defend the abuser's behavior

• Starts to feel affection and kindness from the abuser

• Start to feel sorry for the perpetrator and feel that they have the same goal

• Feeling like they want to save the perpetrator and not trying to escape when the opportunity arises

• Have a negative perception of people other than the perpetrator (police, parents, friends, relatives) who try to get them out of a hostage, kidnapping, or abuse situation

• Refuse to cooperate with law enforcement and authorities to bring the perpetrator to justice

• Adopting the same goals, perspectives, and ideologies as the perpetrator

People with stockholm syndrome also develop cognitive dissonance, which is when they behave contrary to their core beliefs, due to a conflict between thoughts and feelings. One form of this is that they create a version of their own experience that is more sympathetic to the perpetrator.

Causes

The exact cause of Stockholm syndrome is unknown, but the condition can develop when:

• The perpetrator treats the victim humanely, unlike before

• The perpetrator and victim have significant face-to-face interaction, and a bond begins to form

• The victim feels that law enforcement is not doing their job properly

• The victim feels police and other authorities do not have her best interests in mind

Significant face-to-face or humane treatment can trigger stockholm syndrome to occur

Treatment

The diagnosis of stockholm syndrome is not listed in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Therefore, there are no official treatment recommendations for the condition. However, many survivors eventually develop depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Therefore, treatment options include psychotherapy (e.g. trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, and cognitive processing therapy) and taking some medications to help alleviate symptoms and mood disorders. They also need to be in a safe relationship with trusted family and friends.

So, stockholm syndrome occurs when a victim of kidnapping, violence or abuse builds a positive relationship with the perpetrator. This may be a form of coping with trauma, where they feel that working with the perpetrator is the best option to keep them safe.

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