Do you remember Monica from Money Heist? Later in the series popularly known as Stockholm. Let’s take a step back and see why she was named Stockholm. So, After the escape of 16 hostages, Monica choose to stay in the Royal Mint of Spain with Denver instead of choosing ‘freedom’. Later, Moscow and Nairobi find out about their relationship. They tell Denver that it is not real love, that her “love” for him is out of fear, and it is just “Stockholm Syndrome”. It is easy to question these situations as to whether it is love in captivity or Stockholm syndrome.

Let’s take a deeper dive and understand what it really is, why it happens and what to do?

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response which occurs when a hostage or victim bonds with the captor or abuser. This connection develops over the course of the time of captivity or abuse that the victim suffers through.

When going through Stockholm syndrome, the victims come to sympathize and develop positive feelings towards the captor. Which is opposite of the fear, terror, and disdain that is expected from someone going through such traumatic event. As a result the victim often begins to develop pessimistic feelings toward the police, rescue teams and/or authorities, who are trying to protect them and rescue them from the situation.

This paradox does not occur with every victim and to say it is unclear why it occurs when it does, would be an understatement. To understand why the abused party stays is complex and irrational. The psychological situation created by the captor ensures their victim remains nonresistant and conforming. They pull strings on their victim to lead them into believing that they deserve to be treated this way and it becomes the norm.
Anyone can be susceptible to Stockholm syndrome. However, there are some people with abusive backgrounds, who are more likely to be impacted, eg. people with abusive childhoods, unhealthy relationships etc; but any person can become a victim if complex situations are encountered and/if there is triggered.

Why Does It Occur? Psychologists and other medical and mental health professionals consider Stockholm syndrome as a coping mechanism, or a way to help victims handle the trauma of a terrifying situation. It is often recommend to ‘play good’ while in such a situation to increase one’s chances of ‘survival’.

Some signs of Stockholm syndrome include:

– Positive regard towards perpetrators of abuse or captors.
– Failure to cooperate with police and other government authorities.
– Little or not effort to escape the situation.
– Belief in the good intentions of the captors, perpetrators or kidnappers.
– Appeasement of captors- This is a manipulative strategy for maintaining one’s safety.
– Learned helplessness- This can be akin to “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.”
– Feelings of pity toward the abusers, believing they are actually victims themselves.

Individuals with Stockholm syndrome often times report symptoms similar to those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some of these symptoms may include:

– Being easily startled
– Distrust
– Feelings of unreality
– Flashbacks
– Inability to enjoy previously pleasurable experiences
– Irritability
– Nightmares
– Trouble concentrating

Treatment and Management – Counseling and Psychological First Aid for post-traumatic stress disorder can help alleviate the immediate issues associated with recovery. Reassigning positive emotions can help you understand what happened wasn’t your fault.
– Long-term psychotherapy can further help you or a loved one with recovery. Such as: Clinical hypnosis – This can be the first step to enable the abused or the victim. The techniques used will benefit the victim initially through relaxation. Our conscious mind, the critical mind will look for excuses for the perpetrators behavior to justify it. Clinical hypnosis will work on the sub-conscious mind bringing to the surface the victim’s true beliefs and values. Hence, self sanctioning them to see that the way they are being treated is not acceptable. It helps build an insight and get a realization that the problem is with their perpetrator and not with them.

Other ways to help someone with Stockholm as a Mental Health Professional & Practitioner, Therapist, First Aid Provider and/ or Caregiver can be:
Psycho-education. Educating the victims of Stockholm syndrome what is going on.
Avoid polarization (extreme inclination towards one side). Don’t try to convince the victim of the negative traits of the abuser; as it may cause the victim to polarize and defend the captor.
Use the Socratic method. Ask the victim questions about how they see the situation, how they feel and think, and what they believe needs to happen next.
Listen without judgment. Listen and use reflection to show concern and validation.
Don’t give advice. Victims of abuse need to be empowered to make their own decisions.
Address the cognitive dissonance. Help them by validating their truth and encouraging them to trust and have confidence in themselves.
Identify the “hook.” Someone going through such a situation can become hooked to it. They’ll over-identify themselves with the captor or the situation and the unspoken desire that is the grounds of it. Once this is identified, it can help the victim develop and insight and work towards resolution.

Stockholm syndrome is rare, however extremely distressing for the person going through and those around. The individual lacks an insight generally and this can impact various other areas of life, often leading to extreme circumstances if not identified and tackled with. However, it is not something that can not be dealt with, if identified in due time, & intervened with intelligibly. The information we have shared is not a substitute to therapy. If you, or someone you know, you feel is going through this concern or symptom, please reach out to your nearest professional.

To reach our mental health professional visit www.sfct.in