Stockholm syndrome is a common psychological disorder in people with tension, such as kidnapping, house arrest or abuse, in these situations victims tend to establish more personal relationships with offenders.
Stockholm syndrome corresponds to the unconscious’s response to a danger situation, which leads the victim to establish an emotional connection with the kidnapper, for example, which allows him to feel safe and calm.
- This syndrome was first described in 1973 after the embezzleering of a bank in Stockholm.
- Sweden.
- In which the victims befriended the kidnappers.
- So they ended up visiting them in prison.
- In addition to claiming that there was no physical or psychological violence.
- That might suggest that their lives were in danger.
Stockholm syndrome usually has no signs or symptoms, and many people may not even know it, signs of Stockholm syndrome appear when the person is faced with a stress and stress situation in which his or her life is found.which can be caused by a feeling of insecurity, isolation or threats, for example.
Thus, as a means of self-defense, the subconscious encourages compassionate behavior towards the abuser, so the relationship between the victim and the kidnapper is usually a relationship of emotional identification and friendship.Initially, this emotional connection would be intended to preserve life., but over time, due to the emotional bonds that are created, the small acts of kindness on the part of the aggressors, for example, tend to be amplified by people with the syndrome, which makes them feel more safe and at peace in the face of the situation and that any kind of threat is forgotten or ignored.
Since Stockholm syndrome is not easily identifiable, only when the person is at risk, no treatment for this type of syndrome is indicated.In addition, the characteristics of Stockholm syndrome are due to the subconscious response and it is not possible to verify why it actually occurs.
Most studies report cases of people who have developed Stockholm syndrome, but few are looking to clarify the diagnosis of Stockholm syndrome and therefore define treatment, however, psychotherapy can help a person overcome trauma, for example, and even help identify the syndrome.
Due to the lack of clear information about Stockholm syndrome, this syndrome is not recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and is therefore not classified as a psychiatric disease.