What Is Stockholm Syndrome? Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Options
Stockholm syndrome is a rare and unusual psychological phenomenon involving hostages and their captors. In this article, you will learn about this condition, its causes, notable examples, and what can be done to help those with Stockholm syndrome, especially victims of crimes.
Defining Stockholm syndrome and its symptoms
Although Stockholm syndrome is currently not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th edition (DSM-5) by the American Psychiatric Association, this condition is used to describe very real symptoms shown in people who are held captive.
Stockholm syndrome is best described as the positive bond that can develop between hostages and kidnap victims and their captors in layman's terms. These individuals are being held against their will, yet, they may begin to sympathize and care for the person who put them in that situation.
The name of this phenomenon comes from a specific event that occurred on August 23, 1973, in Stockholm, Sweden, where a man by the name of Jan-Erik Olsson took four hostages captive during a bank robbery at the Sveriges Kreditbank and held them for six days before Swedish police were able to rescue them.
After they were rescued, the hostages reported that they trusted and sympathized with Olsson because he was kind to them and even mentioned that they feared the police and would die because of a police assault and not Olsson's actions.
In the aftermath of the event, allegedly, some of the hostages in the Stockholm bank robbery would later visit Olsson while he was in prison.
Nonetheless, the name "Stockholm syndrome" would be coined by Nils Bejerot and be used by psychologists and psychiatrists to label this unique set of symptoms. Many people forced into human trafficking, prostitution, cults, as well as prisoners of war, and victims of terrorism and sexual abuse have reported Stockholm syndrome symptoms. There have been many notable cases of it throughout the years.
What causes Stockholm syndrome?
Psychologists and psychiatrists believe Stockholm syndrome to be a coping mechanism and survival instinct "used by hostages to deal with extreme and life-threatening circumstances."
This is possibly the most crucial factor in causing Stockholm syndrome symptoms, and it is believed that the intensity of the situation is more crucial than the amount of time a person is held against their will.
While there is a very real danger in these situations, it has been noted that many of the captors do not carry out their threats of violence, but some do. However, these empty threats can still be distressing because they do not know that they are false. For example, a captor might say that they will harm a hostage's family if they do not comply, or they might have mock executions.
The victims in these situations will mistakenly believe that because their captor does not hurt them, they care about them. Sometimes, acts of kindness will occur. In the original Stockholm bank case, while Olsson did make violent but empty threats, he also gave his jacket to a hostage who was cold and allowed another to venture outside of the vault when she was feeling claustrophobic.
These are all emotional tactics used to make the hostages sympathize with the captor and complain. Victims often understand there is no escape and view captors as benefactors as the captor can grant them what they need. Survival instincts promote this behavior and adherence to the captor's rules.
The emotional bond that forms in Stockholm syndrome is a coping mechanism for the victim, which will ideally help ensure a person's survival. Because it is an instinctual response to a highly dangerous situation, it is also subconscious and involuntary. This contrasts with similar situations where kidnapped people need to behave a certain way to escape willingly.
Notable cases of Stockholm syndrome
Aside from the original case from 1973, there have been many famous events where Stockholm syndrome was documented. This section will cover some of them to see different examples to enrich your understanding of them.
A year after the Stockholm incident, a case involving Patricia "Patty" Hearst, the daughter and heiress of newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst, was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army.
Although this case began in 1991, this is considered one of the most recent cases to make headlines regarding Stockholm syndrome because it had ended in 2009. Jaycee, who was 11 years old in 1991, was kidnapped by Phillip Garrido and his wife, Nancy, right in front of her father's eyes, who subsequently could not catch up to the kidnapper.
Garrido held Jaycee Dugard captive in isolation in his backyard. He would later impregnate Dugard and have two daughters; however, this led to his capture and her rescue after being held for 18 years.
Garrido, a registered sex offender from a previous kidnapping and rape case, spotted the two girls on the UC Berkeley campus. The campus police felt their behavior was unusual. His parole officer investigated him, and during this meeting, he was accompanied by Jaycee Dugard. This would inevitably lead to her rescue, and it was noted that she had signs of Stockholm syndrome. After being saved, in a 20-20 interview with journalist Diane Sawyer, Dugard said that her obedience towards the Garridos was her only way of surviving. She never forgot that he was her captor.
Recover from Stockholm syndrome wtih the help of an online therapist
Since Stockholm syndrome is not defined in the psychiatric literature, no specific medication is used to treat it; however, it is often compared and connected to PTSD and major depression. Therefore, antidepressants might be effective in treating certain aspects.
Nonetheless, counseling and therapy are recommended because Stockholm syndrome symptoms are associated with emotions and feelings, especially positive ones. While Stockholm syndrome is relatively rare, the crimes that cause it are not, and those who have experienced any traumatic event will benefit from counseling. In some cases, it might be required to learn how to cope.
At Regain, licensed counselors and therapists are available online and are experienced in helping those who have been through trauma and have been victims of crimes and abusive relationships. For those who have overcome Stockholm syndrome, therapy involves educating the patient that their behavior stems from survival instincts. Recovery will involve decreasing these attitudes and behaviors by inserting normalcy back into their lives. For instance, Jaycee Dugard had to get used to interacting with the real world once she was released, but now lives happily with her daughters and is an author.
Takeaway
Situations like these show that even those who have endured some of the most horrific crimes have succeeded in addressing their trauma. Memories will persist, and living may be challenging at first, but with the right support and learning the skills to cope, it gets easier, and living a normal, productive life is entirely within reach for anyone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is it called stockholm syndrome?
The term Stockholm syndrome comes from a bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1973, in which several hostages bonded with their captors. The bank employees were held for six long days and, in that time, developed a sense of loyalty to the men holding them captive. In Stockholm, Sweden, the bank robbery gave rise to Stockholm syndrome to describe the feeling of loyalty between captive and captor. In other words, the syndrome is named after the city in which the robbery and subsequent hostage situation took place. The bond is deep and can be hard to break. While the bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden first started the term Stockholm syndrome, it developed in cases other than bank robberies. For example, when someone is kidnapped, they have a chance of developing Stockholm syndrome, especially the longer they’re held captive.
What are stockholm syndrome symptoms?
The most common symptom of Stockholm syndrome is starting to have positive feelings toward your captor, kidnapper, or abuser. In a sense, you forget that they’re holding you against your will. The victim of such a situation may show hostility toward anyone trying to help them, including authority figures like police officers. Such was true in the famous case of Stockholm once police officers finally gained a pathway to the victims and perpetrators. While the event in Stockholm, Sweden, was perplexing, it also allowed the world to recognize what a case of Stockholm syndrome could look like.
Is stockholm syndrome real love?
No, Stockholm syndrome should not be confused with real love. Cases of Stockholm syndrome come about due to trauma, and trauma is not the same thing as love. Trauma bonding can feel exactly like love, but it is not. However, it is important to note that those with Stockholm syndrome may feel real love. That’s why therapy is often necessary to recover from the condition. A qualified therapist will be able to answer all of your questions. “What is Stockholm syndrome?” is normally the first question someone will ask when their therapist brings up the condition, as many are unfamiliar with it.
Is stockholm syndrome bad?
Stockholm syndrome isn’t a good thing, but people cannot control whether they develop it or not. For example, the employees involved in the bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, did not bond with the robbers. Instead, their minds likely convinced them that their best chance of survival was to please their captors. It’s a type of unhealthy mental confusion that can damage one’s mental health and well-being. Stockholm syndrome can be so intense that it lasts even after the hostage situation is over; this was true in the famous case of Stockholm.
Is stockholm syndrome a mental illness?
Stockholm syndrome is not recognized as an official mental illness. It isn’t listed in the DSM-5 at all. It is more so a coping or defense mechanism that those who are abused develop to stay safe. There are no official recommendations for Stockholm syndrome treatments. However, you can still recover from Stockholm syndrome with the right help and support. The employees involved in the famous case of Stockholm did end up receiving their counseling and treatment immediately after being released.
What is the lima syndrome?
Lima syndrome is similar to Stockholm syndrome but reversed. In this case, the captor bonds with the hostage and becomes empathetic with their situation. It is the opposite of Stockholm syndrome. The kidnapper or captor may end up releasing the hostage because they feel so connected to their needs and even have a fondness for them.
Had the captors in the bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden developed Lima Syndrome; they may have released their hostages sooner than six days later. What happened in Stockholm, Sweden, though, is that Stockholm syndrome progressed in all four captives. They even visited the bank robbers when they were in prison, which perplexed authorities and the public.
The famous case of Stockholm is a reminder of how mysterious the human mind can be and how it can always surprise us when we least expect it to. If you suspect that you or someone you know has a case of Stockholm syndrome, it’s vital to seek help as soon as possible. If there is one thing the Stockholm bank incident made clear, the condition can happen quickly. It is unclear whether or not it’s as easy to get rid of it, but professionals normally agree it’s easier to do damage than undo it.
If you have a case of Stockholm syndrome, be prepared to be asked a lot of questions. “What is Stockholm syndrome?” might be a common one for those unfamiliar with the condition. If you’d rather not talk to people about it, you can always tell them that the syndrome is named after the famous Stockholm bank case, then let them go and do their research.
How Does Someone Get Stockholm Syndrome?
What Famous People Have Stockholm Syndrome?
Is Stockholm Syndrome Part Of PTSD?
Is Stockholm Syndrome A Form Of Manipulation?
What Are The Characteristics Of Stockholm Syndrome?
What Do You Need To Know To Understand Stockholm Syndrome?
Is Stockholm Syndrome A Result Of Anxiety Or Stress?
How Do Captives Develop Feelings For Their Captors?
Why Is Stockholm Syndrome Considered A Psychological Condition?
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