As a result of the sympathy of a woman who was taken hostage in the robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, the syndrome in question was defined as Stockholm syndrome. As can be seen from the story, Stockholm syndrome causes the hostages to have positive feelings towards their kidnappers.

What is Stockholm Syndrome?

Stockholm syndrome refers to the hostages' paradoxical excessive admiration, praise, and positive emotions towards their kidnappers. In addition, the victim perceives not being abused as an act of courtesy. It is known that these feelings and thoughts are usually an unconscious and emotional reaction.

Some researchers liken the syndrome to the process of identification with the aggressor. According to this concept defined by Anna Freud; The person goes through a process of identification with him in order to protect himself from the anxiety-inducing authority figure. In other words, thanks to this identification, he tries to avoid possible punishments of the enemy.

How Does Stockholm Syndrome Affect a Person?

Victims feel needy to survive against the abuser and develop a sense of trust towards the abuser. If the abuser treats the victim well, this syndrome develops.

Stressful situations and traumas experienced by the victim before cause this situation to occur. Not only in kidnapping and hostage cases; The syndrome can also develop as a result of situations such as harassment and abuse.

What Conditions Cause Stockholm Syndrome?

Graham and colleagues stated that the syndrome has four conditions that they think create an environment conducive to attachment and role-switching. These 4 conditions are as follows:

1. The victim has a perception that they cannot escape
2. The victim feels a perceived threat to their survival
3. Isolation and isolation of the victim from those who are able to save the victim
4. The victim has a perception that he or she receives courtesy from the person who took him hostage

Stockholm syndrome can also be observed in some of the following conditions:

• conditions like a concentration camp.
• In cases of hostage
• Among victims of incest
• In cases where children are abused
• Those who are members of the cult
• When there are overly controlling or possessive traits in relationships
• In cases where women are abused
• People taken as prisoners of war

Psychological Explanations 

Many different areas try to explain why and how Stockholm syndrome develops. These are as follows:

• Psychological Explanation
• Psychodynamic Explanation
• Behavioral Explanation
• Cognitive Description
• Social Psychological Explanation
• Neurophysiological Explanation

What Are the Symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome?

Stockholm syndrome are as follows:

• Victim engages in supportive behaviors and sometimes even helps the abuser.
• The abducted/victimized person has negative feelings towards those trying to save him.
• The kidnapped person should be supportive of the reason for the kidnapping and the behavior of the person who took him hostage.
• Positive attitudes of the hostage taker, the abuser, towards the victim
• The abducted/victimized person has positive feelings towards the hostage taker.

What are the Clinical Symptoms?

The clinical manifestations are as follows:

• Feeling of insecurity
• Insomnia
• Have nightmares
• Experiencing unreal feelings
• Remembering that memory in the mind about the traumatic experience
• Inability to enjoy previously pleasurable experiences
• General state of irritability
• having difficulty concentrating

Stockholm Syndrome Treatment

Treatment of people with Stockholm syndrome; It is the same as treatment for PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), which includes a combination of medication for short-term sleep disorders and psychotherapy for long-term symptoms.

In addition to these treatments, group and family therapies can also be applied. In group therapy, victims learn to deal with their emotions. At the same time, they get the chance to bond with other victims who have gone through the same experience. Family therapy, on the other hand, is used in families where the family has a greater say, to help victims talk more openly about their feelings towards their families.