Stockholm syndrome or Stockholm syndrome is a psychological disorder in hostage victims that makes them feel sympathy or even affection for the perpetrator. How could that happen? Let's find out the answer in the following article.
Stockholm syndrome introduced by a criminologist, Nils Bejerot, based on the 1973 bank robbery case in Stockholm, Sweden. In this case, the hostages actually formed an emotional bond with the perpetrators even though they had been held captive for 6 days.
The hostages even refused to testify in court and instead raised legal aid funds to defend the perpetrators.
Factors Underlying Its Emergence Stockholm Syndrome
In a hostage-taking, the hostages will generally feel hate and fear because the perpetrator or kidnapper is often violent and even cruel. However, in the case of Stockholm syndrome, the opposite happened. Even victims feel sympathy for the perpetrators.
There are several factors that underlie the emergence of Stockholm syndrome, including:
- The hostage takers and victims are in the same room and under the same pressure.
- The hostage situation lasted quite a long time, even several days.
- The hostage-taker showed kindness to the hostages or at least refrained from harming them.
Psychologists suspect that if Stockholm syndrome is the victim's way of dealing with stress or excessive trauma caused by hostage-taking.
Recognizing the Symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome
Like other syndromes, Stockholm syndrome also consists of a set of symptoms. These symptoms are generally similar to the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Symptoms that appear include:
- Easily startled
- Nervous
- Nightmare
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- There is a feeling like you are not in reality
- Difficult to concentrate
- Always remember the trauma (Flash back)
- No longer enjoying a previously enjoyable experience
However, in addition to these various symptoms, a person who experiences Stockholm syndrome will also show other symptoms in the form of negative feelings towards family and friends who try to save him and always support everything the hostage taker does.
How to Treat Stockholm Syndrome
There is no specific treatment for patients Stockholm syndrome. However, psychiatrists will use the pattern of coping with traumatic situations as occurs in PTSD.
Some people with Stockholm syndrome will also be given drugs that are commonly used by people with PTSD to deal with their anxiety.
In addition, group therapy is also a method that is often used in dealing with Stockholm syndrome. Sufferers will learn to control their emotions and form new relationships with others who have gone through similar situations.
There is also family therapy for victims Stockholm syndrome to be able to talk about their feelings and concerns openly. In this way, families can find out better ways to help people with the syndrome.
Stockholm syndrome is an unusual condition that is often felt by victims of hostage-taking. If you or your family and relatives have symptoms Stockholm syndrome, immediately consult a psychiatrist so that appropriate treatment can be done immediately.