when the hostage falls in love with captor

Graham, a psychologist and professor emerita at the University of Cincinnati, and her colleagues described that Stockholm syndrome may be more likely to occur under the following four conditions: This misplaced trust is a way for the victim to cope and survive the trauma of being captured.

Victims with Stockholm syndrome may refuse rescue because they've begun to trust their captor. It's a survival strategy and coping mechanism that's based on the level of fear, dependency and trauma of the situation, he said. 'It's really a form of survival,' Norton said. Mental health experts have suggested it's a protective strategy and coping method for victims of emotional and physical abuse. It's not entirely clear why Stockholm syndrome occurs.

In addition, the symptoms could overlap with those associated with other diagnoses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and ' learned helplessness.' In the latter phenomenon, people repeatedly exposed to stressful situations that are beyond their control lose the ability to make decisions. The victim may fear that police action might threaten their safety.Īccording to Norton, there is no clear set of criteria used to identify whether someone has Stockholm syndrome. Victims with Stockholm syndrome exhibit two key characteristics: Positive feelings toward their captors and negative feelings, such as anger and distrust, toward law enforcement, according to a 1999 FBI law enforcement bulletin. This, in turn, will make them more dependent on their captors for care, Norton said. That's because a victim with Stockholm syndrome may become increasingly fearful and depressed and will show a decreased ability to care for themselves. The captive may begin to sympathize with the hostage takers and may also become emotionally dependent on them, he said. However, law enforcement and mental health professionals recognize that Stockholm syndrome can occur, so there's a general acceptance and awareness of the condition, Norton said.Ī person with Stockholm syndrome may start to identify with or form a close connection to the people who have taken him or her hostage, Norton told Live Science.

When the hostage falls in love with captor