Stockholm Syndrome: Why does it really Exist?
A combination of psychological traits were initially seen in a group of individuals who were held hostage during a robbery of a public bank in Stockholm syndrome, Sweden, in 1973. Psychiatrists named this phenomenon the Stockholm Syndrome.
Why does Stockholm syndrome exist?
In that event, two individuals took four bank employees hostage for six days while brandishing firearms. After the operation was over, the hostages within the bank vault formed positive feelings for the kidnappers and displaying affection for them.
It may be challenging to comprehend how hostages might feel sorry for those who have put their lives in danger, but this strange occurrence does happen occasionally. In addition to hostage-taking incidents, this circumstance also arises with victims of domestic abuse and with some members of particular sects.
Patty Hearst, an heir to a sizable fortune who was kidnap in 1974. It is another well famous example of a sufferer of Stockholm Syndrome. She offered her support for their armed cause and assisted her kidnappers in robbing a bank. The murder of Utah adolescent Elizabeth Smart serves as another well-known illustration of this occurrence. When her kidnappers were found. She expressed enormous worry for their welfare. She had been abducting in 2002.
The Stockholm Syndrome’s symptoms
According to psychologist Stan Norton, Stockholm syndrome is a psychological concept use to explain some reactions, but it is not a recognised diagnosis of the condition. For this reason, the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a resource used by psychologists to identify mental and behavioural disorders, did not include Stockholm syndrome.
Yet, there is widespread acceptance and knowledge of the disease since mental health and law enforcement experts are aware that Stockholm syndrome can happen.
According to Norton,
Someone with Stockholm syndrome may start to connect with the hostage-takers and eventually form a close relationship with them. for the care of their captors.
The Stockholm victims exhibit two key traits: good feelings towards their captors and negative feelings. Including anger and mistrust against law enforcement. They may also be concerned that police action could endanger their safety. Norton claims that there is no establishing standard by. Which to judge whether he has Stockholm syndrome or not. Moreover, its symptoms may coincide with those of PTSD and learned helplessness, in which case a person. Who experiences repeated injury loses his capacity for decision-making.
Reasons for the Stockholm Syndrome
Although Norton believes it to be a form of survival, the exact cause of Stockholm syndrome is unknown. Because they are starting to fear their captors, victims of this syndrome could refuse to be rescue. Although this confidence is erroneous, it serves as a strategy for the hostages to cope with their pain and get past it after captive.
The psychologist D.L.R. Graham stated that the following four circumstances are most likely to result in Stockholm syndrome in a 1995 publication:
By continuing to be in captivity, victims feel endangering. Then, victims take pleasure in any small act of compassion performed by their captors. Such as giving them food or refraining from hitting them. In seclusion from their captors, victims console themselves. Victims believe they are helpless against their captors. One reason for this phenomena is that the hostages are initially in tremendous fear of the kidnappers because they threaten to kill them. But as soon as they refrain from doing so, the captives grow grateful for them.
The hostages also discover that in order to survive. They must be aware of the emotions of their captors and acquire reflexes and psychological characteristics. Such as dependency and conformity—that would please them.
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