If you have Netflix, you might have seen or at least heard of the series “Money Heist”. In it, the character Monica is renamed Stockholm shortly after falling in love with Denver, one of the bank robbers who held Monica and her team hostage and later joined them.

This is an example of Stockholm Syndrome in popular culture, and it is not the only one. Many films and TV shows have featured characters who fall for their perpetrators. But what exactly is it, and does it exist in real life?

Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological condition where a victim identifies and empathises with their captors or abusers instead of fearing them. They develop positive connections and associations – love, empathy, or desire to protect the perpetrator – over the course of days, weeks, months, or even years of captivity or abuse.

These feelings can be described as sympathy towards or the formation of an emotional bond with their abusers, as opposed to the fear, terror and disdain expected from victims in such situations. Additionally, they may develop negative feelings towards the police or others who attempt to rescue them.

Stockholm Syndrome is commonly linked to kidnappings, but they may also be seen among victims of relationship abuse, coach-athlete abuse, and human trafficking.

Origins

The origin of the term “Stockholm Syndrome” was coined by the media in 1973, when four bank employees were held hostage in a vault for six days during a robbery in Stockholm, Sweden.

While in captivity, the hostages formed a close emotional bond with their captors, mostly due to the small gestures perceived as kindness from their abductors. As days passed, the captives feared the police more than the robbers and were resistant to the idea of rescue, which confused not only the authorities and the general public, but the captives themselves.

After they were rescued, the victims were seen defending their captors and refusing to testify against them. This piqued the interest of criminologists and psychiatrists.

Despite being known in the psychology world, Stockholm Syndrome is not recognised by the new edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and is, therefore, not a well established condition.

This is because many experts attribute the feelings of Stockholm Syndrome to other conditions, or link the phenomenon to emotional abuse or trauma bonding.

Stockholm symptoms

Stockholm Syndrome can be seen presenting itself in various ways, but ultimately relates to:

• developing positive feelings towards captors or abusers;
• adopting the same goals, world views and ideologies as those who are holding them captive and understanding where they are coming from;
• feeling pity towards their perpetrators;
• refusing to escape even when there is an opportunity;
• having negative perceptions towards those who want to rescue them from their situation;
• refusing to collaborate and assist the police or other authorities in prosecuting the perpetrators.

A victim of Stockholm Syndrome may continue to have positive feelings towards their captor even after being freed, while simultaneously experiencing negative flashbacks, depression, anxiety and/or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Until today, experts are trying to understand the nature of this condition. However, it has been agreed upon by medical professionals and psychologists that Stockholm Syndrome may be a coping mechanism in victims to overcome trauma and the stress and fear for their physical or psychological wellbeing.

Positive associations could be explained by the victim’s dependency on their abusers for survival. If the kidnappers or abusers show the slightest act of kindness, they may begin to feel positive feelings towards them for such “compassion”. If the victim has experienced physical abuse, they may feel grateful when the perpetrator stops harming them.

Fascinatingly, some studies have even encouraged hostage victims to act as if they are experiencing Stockholm Syndrome to maximise their chances of survival.

Stockholm Syndrome in society

Although Stockholm Syndrome is more prevalently associated with hostages or kidnapping, it may also be applicable to other circumstances and relationships, such as sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse; child abuse; coach-athelete abuse where athletes agree to extreme workouts as they believe their coach wants the best for them; or human sex trafficking.

However, as it is not a standardised and recognised medical condition, there is yet to be a formal treatment algorithm on how to treat this syndrome. That said, options such as psychotherapy (counselling) and/or medications can be effective in helping patients deal with the trauma and related conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.

As a friend or family member of someone with Stockholm Syndrome, it may help for you to listen to them without judgment, validate their truth, and avoid calling them out for being silly or in denial for the way they feel towards their captors or abusers.

Also remember that the incidence of Stockholm Syndrome is rare, as it does not happen to every single person who is held hostage or abused. Essentially, proper treatment and support from loved ones can help victims to better recover and move forward.

This article was written by DOC2US, a mobile application that allows you to talk to a doctor or any healthcare professionals via text chat at any time and from anywhere.