Have you ever heard of people who become close to their kidnappers? This is called Stockholm Syndrome!

Have you ever heard of a situation where someone is kidnapped and held captive and you feel sympathy, maybe even a sense of friendship, for the person who kidnapped you? It's strange, isn't it? But it can actually be a complex psychological condition. Today we're going to talk about an unusual, but very important, psychological condition. This is what doctors call Stockholm Syndrome.

What is Stockholm Syndrome?

Simply put, Stockholm Syndrome is the process by which a person, when held hostage or subjected to severe abuse, develops a strong emotional attachment and sympathy for the abuser or the abductor. Imagine how amazing and complex it is to develop a bond and sympathy for the person who is harassing or torturing you.

Although this condition was initially identified in cases of kidnapping, doctors now say that it can also be seen in other severe traumatic events . That is, a strange, difficult-to-understand bond develops between the abuser and the abused.

Many mental health professionals see this as a coping mechanism that the person experiencing the traumatic event uses to survive the days, weeks, and sometimes years of trauma and abuse . It is a strange way for the mind to adapt to the dangerous situation and protect itself.

There are several other mental conditions that are somewhat similar to this, and related, that doctors have identified:

• Trauma bonding: This is a harmful bond that develops between the abuser and the victim through severe trauma.
• Learned helplessness: This means becoming helpless by believing that you can never escape from this situation and that there is no help available.
• Battered person syndrome: A psychological condition that results from prolonged physical or mental abuse and is shaped by that abuse.

How did this get the name 'Stockholm'?

It got its name because of a very special incident that caught the attention of the whole world. It happened in 1973, in a city called Stockholm, Sweden . A group of people came to rob a bank and held several bank employees hostage for six days. This happened while the police were surrounding them. The amazing thing is that after these hostages were somehow freed, some of them did not even want to testify in court against the bank robbers . Not only that, but surprisingly, they also raised money to help with the legal proceedings to save the robbers!

So, a criminologist and a psychiatrist who had researched this incident in depth were the first to use the name 'Stockholm Syndrome' to explain this strange friendliness and sympathy that the bank employees showed towards the robbers. That is, the syndrome that was seen in the city of Stockholm. This name has been used for situations like this ever since.

What are the symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome?

If someone has Stockholm Syndrome, they may exhibit these symptoms. But remember, not everyone will have all of these symptoms, and they can vary from person to person.

• Feeling good feelings for those who hold you captive or those who abuse you. That is, a feeling of compassion for them, perhaps a desire, a feeling of wanting to protect them.
• Agreeing with their beliefs and behaviors, sympathizing with them. Just like what they do, from their perspective, seems right, trying to understand them.
• Having bad feelings towards the police, other authorities, or those who try to save you. That means opposing and not trusting those who come to save you.

In addition to these, symptoms similar to those of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) , a mental condition that occurs after a traumatic event, can also be seen. They include:

• Flashbacks: This means that the events that happened seem to be reliving before your eyes, and the sounds, smells, and feelings seem to be present at that moment.
• Feeling uneasy, constantly angry, jittery, and anxious. Getting upset and angry over small things.
• Not being able to enjoy things that used to bring you joy, not being able to relax.
• Difficulty concentrating. Memory loss may also occur.
• Insomnia, nightmares.

Why do some people have this condition?

In fact, researchers still aren't 100 percent sure why some hostages or abusers develop Stockholm Syndrome, while others who have endured a traumatic experience don't. But there are a few theories that might explain why.

One theory is that this is a learned technique passed down from generation to generation from our ancestors . Think about it, in the past, there were wars between tribes, and there was always the risk of being captured and killed by another social group. Then, when you formed some kind of bond, friendship with your captors, your chances of survival increased . Some evolutionary psychiatrists believe that this ancient trick may be a natural human trait that helped humans survive.

Another view is that when someone is being held captive or abused, it is an emotionally charged situation . That is, the pressure is too much for the mind to bear. Then, over time, if you receive some small kindness or compassion from the abuser (for example, giving them some food, giving them some water, talking to them a little bit), you can change your feelings in response and develop compassion for the abuser. Also, you may feel that you can ensure your safety by cooperating with the abuser, rather than fighting him. When you are not harmed by the abuser, you are tempted to be grateful to that person, and perhaps even see the abuser as "not such a bad person." This is a completely unconscious mental process .

How do doctors recognize this as a disease?

Here's something special you should know. The American Psychiatric Association has not officially included Stockholm Syndrome as a separate condition in its latest diagnostic manual – the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the world's leading, universally accepted guide to identifying mental illnesses and conditions.

Therefore, some health care providers, such as doctors and psychiatrists, may or may not recognize this condition by that name. However, they are all familiar with the behavioral patterns that occur after a severe traumatic event, that is, the symptoms that the victim displays. The criteria used to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and acute stress disorder , and some of the treatment methods, are very similar to Stockholm Syndrome. So what a doctor does is to plan treatment based on the symptoms and experience.

What are the treatments for Stockholm Syndrome?

Stockholm Syndrome is not officially classified as a mental illness, so there is no standard treatment for it. However, as mentioned earlier, Stockholm Syndrome is treated in the same way as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) . This is mainly done through psychotherapy and/or medication if necessary.

If you or someone close to you has had this experience, you can learn healthy ways to cope with the traumatic experience and live with it.

Therapy can help you with these things:

• Understand your experience, what happened to you, and why you felt the way you did.
• Understand that the feelings of pity for your captors or abuser were a survival skill that you had at that time to survive and cope with the situation. Accept that it is not your fault.
• Learn how to move forward in your life stronger and make a fresh start after this difficult experience.

If you have symptoms, such as insomnia, anxiety, or depression, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you sleep better and reduce your anxiety or depression. These can be effective when used in conjunction with psychotherapy.

Can we get out of this situation? What will the future hold?

The first thing to say is that not everyone who is abused, traumatized, or held hostage develops Stockholm Syndrome . This is actually a very rare psychological reaction. That is, it is something that is very rare.

However, even if this happens, psychotherapy and, if necessary, medication can definitely help you or your loved one recover from this condition and move forward with a normal, happy life. So don't give up hope. The recovery process may take some time, but with the right support, it can be done.

Does Stockholm Syndrome only occur in hostage situations?

Although the name Stockholm Syndrome was coined after the city of Stockholm, where a bank robbery and hostage-taking occurred, similar behaviors and feelings can also be seen in people who have experienced other severe traumatic events. This means that it is not limited to hostages. Here are a few examples:

• Sexual, physical and emotional abuse: Especially in cases like long-term domestic violence.
• Child abuse: A child may form a bond with an adult who abuses them because the child has no other option or protection.
• Coach-athlete abuse: Imagine, some athletes agree to extreme, harsh, even abusive workouts from their coach because they believe that the coach knows what's best for them and can make them win.
• Human sex trafficking: Here too, there have been reports of victims forming some kind of bond with their traffickers.
• The blind devotion of members of some religious cults to their leaders can be compared to this to some extent.

In all of these cases, Stockholm Syndrome is a coping mechanism . Instead of feeling fear, panic, or hatred towards your abuser, you can begin to feel humanity and compassion for them.

The most important thing is that if you or someone close to you has experienced Stockholm Syndrome, it is important to understand that the good feelings you have for your abuser are not your fault. It is a way of understanding how you are feeling, how you are coping with what happened to you, and how you are coping with it. Your doctor or counselor can help you or your loved one recover from this condition.

Finally, the most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so now we have a good understanding of Stockholm Syndrome. Although it is a complex topic, it is important to be aware of it. Here are some key points to remember:

• Stockholm Syndrome is a rare, but possible, psychological reaction to severe trauma or abuse in which the victim develops sympathy or attachment to their abuser.
• This is not the victim's fault , it is a coping mechanism that the mind uses to survive, an unconscious survival tactic .
• This situation is not limited to hostage-taking, but can also be seen in various abuses and traumatic events .
• Although not officially classified as a disease, it exhibits symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , and the treatments are similar.
• With psychotherapy and, if necessary, medication, it is definitely possible to recover from this condition and return to a normal life.
• If you or someone you know is suffering from this condition, or has experienced it, it is very important to seek proper medical advice and the support of a qualified mental health professional .

Never feel alone, ashamed, or guilty about an experience like this. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Your mental health is precious. You have the right to protect it.

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