Stockholm syndrome: what it is and what are the causes and symptoms
"I know they" ll be coming to find me soon, but my Stockholm Syndrome is in your room. Yeah, I fell for you! "
So says a famous song that takes the title of Stockholm Syndrome, a psychological condition often approaching the impossibility of separating from one's love. In reality, however, in real life Stockholm Syndrome has nothing romantic or Hollywood-like and arises from experiences derived from trauma, which have more or less repercussions In a certain sense, it recalls emotional dependence in its symptoms and manifestation, a psychological state that affects more and more people who are victims of their own love.
The origin of Stockholm Syndrome: why is it called that?
That of the Stockholm Syndrome is certainly a very particular psychological condition and it is natural to wonder why it is called this way. Its name derives from a specific episode that dates back to 1973, when two robbers held four hostages, three women and a man, for 131 hours in the security room of the Sveriges Kreditbank in Stockholm. In this dramatic situation, a rather anomalous case occurred: the victims began to develop positive feelings towards the kidnappers, while towards the police and the police they felt negative. affection for one of the women.
The term was coined by the psychologist Nils Bejerot, after the trial of the kidnappers. Here the reluctance of women - former hostages - to testify against them became evident and this psychological condition was identified for the first time. Since then, the definition of Stockholm Syndrome has become internationally used over the years.
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What is Stockholm Syndrome
Therefore, with Stockholm Syndrome s "means that psychological state in which the victim of a kidnapping develops positive feelings and even affection - even considered" love "- towards his kidnapper. It can occur in hostages of both sexes, although women are usually the most affected. The situation that arises is very similar to that of emotional dependence in the case of violent and unbalanced relationships.
According to experts, this would all happen as a survival mechanism in a condition of high stress. To overcome the trauma of the limitation of their freedom and to try to stay alive, the victims of a kidnapping tend instinctively and unconsciously not to oppose their captors anymore, but try to establish an emotional contact with them, which turns into an attachment to the executioners.
We talk about inverse Stockholm Syndrome when the positive feelings and affection are reciprocated by the kidnappers. This phenomenon has often been reported on a cinematic level, through different methods. The beauty and the Beast, as well as being treated positively - for some too unrealistic - in the famous series de The House of Paper.
Symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome
Understanding whether a person has Stockholm Syndrome, following a stressful situation due to a kidnapping or abuse, can be quite simple if they have certain symptoms.
- The former hostage more or less openly manifests positive, affectionate or even love-like feelings towards his former executioner.
- In addition, he demonstrates hatred and negative feelings towards law enforcement and the police, believing them to be the cause of his separation from the kidnapper.
- Several hostages have presented feelings of guilt for having been released and for the arrest of the kidnapper.
- Even after release and return to the family, the victim tends to isolate himself from the people around him. This can be the result of a mental manipulation suffered during the kidnapping and / or as a "habit always learned in that period: a hostage tries not to annoy his executioner to avoid repercussions.
What are the causes of Stockholm Syndrome
As in many other cases, even for Stockholm Syndrome there are no certain causes at all. However, similar circumstances were found that led hostages to manifest this psychological condition.
- State of dependence: the life of the victims of a kidnapping depends in all respects on the choice of the kidnappers. They are the ones who can provide the essential elements for survival, such as water and food. When granted, the hostages show their gratitude, which can lead to affection.
- Change of perspective: by being only in contact with the kidnappers, the victims acquire their point of view, sharing it and taking their side.
- Duration of trauma: The chance of developing Stockholm Syndrome increases depending on how long a person is held hostage.
- Age of the hostage: it has been shown that younger victims, especially children and adolescents, and women have this psychological state more often than adult men.
Stockholm syndrome: how to get out of it
Although this condition has not yet been included in any psychiatric classification, the recovery process to get out of the Stockholm Syndrome can take a long time, even years, depending on the case. Support from a psychotherapist is needed, as it can cause panic attacks, sleep disturbances, depression, and sudden flashbacks of what has been experienced.
Through psychotherapy, it is possible to re-elaborate what was the traumatic experience, to understand the mechanisms that led the victim to the manifestation of feelings of affection during and after the kidnapping towards the kidnapper.
Finally, the support of family and friends is essential to restore the psychological balance of those who have experienced the kidnapping on themselves.
