Stockholm syndrome
Hostage loves captor
Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response in which hostages or abuse victims develop positive feelings toward their captors or abusers.
The bond forms as a survival mechanism during prolonged captivity or threat.
The term comes from a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, where hostages defended their captors afterward.
Used loosely for any situation where someone sympathizes with those who control or harm them: She stayed with him for years—classic Stockholm syndrome.
Captive held as security
- captiveOne held by force
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- abductionUnlawful seizure of person
- prisonerConfined criminal detainee
confinement · captor · detention · siege · hijacking · ransom · held · seized
Attachment through intermittent abuse
- cognitive dissonanceDiscomfort from contradictory beliefs
- coping mechanismMethod for managing distress
- survival instinctInborn drive to live
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
rationalization · dissociation · learned helplessness · conditioning · manipulation · coercion · brainwashing · grooming
- bank robberyTheft from financial institution
- kidnap victimOne forcibly taken
- hostage crisisProlonged captive situation
- real-lifeExisting in reality
Connection or fondness
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- affinityNatural liking or attraction
identification · sympathy · rapport · trust · connection · closeness · protectiveness · defender
Chronic reaction to horrific events
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
- victimOne harmed by another
- survivorOne still alive after
- recoveryRegaining what was lost
therapy · counseling · healing · flashbacks · anxiety · fear · psychological · mental health
hostage
Captive held as security
- captiveOne held by force
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- abductionUnlawful seizure of person
prisoner · confinement · captor · detention · siege · hijacking · ransom · held · seized · trapped
trauma bonding
Attachment through intermittent abuse
- cognitive dissonanceDiscomfort from contradictory beliefs
- coping mechanismMethod for managing distress
- survival instinctInborn drive to live
defense mechanism · rationalization · dissociation · learned helplessness · conditioning · manipulation · coercion · brainwashing · grooming · indoctrination
Patty Hearst
- bank robberyTheft from financial institution
- kidnap victimOne forcibly taken
- hostage crisisProlonged captive situation
attachment
Connection or fondness
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- allegianceLoyalty owed to authority
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
affinity · identification · sympathy · rapport · trust · connection · closeness · protectiveness · defender · fondness
PTSD
Chronic reaction to horrific events
recovery · therapy · counseling · healing · flashbacks · anxiety · fear · psychological · mental health · resilience
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
- SyndromesGuillain-Barre, restless leg, irritable bowel, IBS, chronic fatigue
- captivity traumaPTSD, learned helplessness, trauma bonding, captivity, survival guilt
- Kidnappingkidnapping, hostage, captive, ransom note, kidnapper
- psychologypsychology, psychologist, therapist, psychiatrist, clinical psychology
- SwedenGothenburg, Malmo, Uppsala, Scania, Swedish flag