Is the Stockholm Syndrome used to describe reactions to traumas other than hostage situations?
• The Stockholm Syndrome: Not Just For Hostages by Dee L.R. Graham, Edna Rawlings, Nelly Rimini The Stockholm Syndrome is an emotional attachment, a bond of interdependence between captive and captor that develops ‘when someone threatens your life, deliberates, and doesn’t kill you.’ (Symonds, 1980) The relief resulting from the removal of the threat of death generates intense feelings of gratitude and fear which combine to make the captive reluctant to display negative feelings toward the captor or terrorist. In fact, former hostages have visited their captors in jail, recommended defense counsel, and even started a defense fund. It is this dynamic which causes former hostages and abuse survivors to minimize the damage done to them and refuse to cooperate in prosecuting their tormentors. “The victims’ need to survive is stronger than his impulse to hate the person who has created his dilemma.” (Strentz, 1980) The victim comes to see the captor as a ‘good guy’, even a savior. This cond
