pathoscribe

Written by Anoushka Pandya | Art by Anoushka Pandya

Patty Hearst is an example of one of the most famous cases of Stockholm Syndrome in the world. She was a wealthy young girl kidnapped from her home in California by a group of radicals known as the Symbionese Liberation Army. They requested money and other items from the police in exchange for her release, but it was later found that Hearst herself had switched sides and joined her captives. She joined the SLA and was later arrested for robbery. How could she switch sides this quickly, if at all?

Stockholm Syndrome is a syndrome characterized by its symptoms regarding captivity or abuse. It is a psychological response where the person in captivity shows sympathy towards the kidnapper and may even try to protect them. The name originated from a bank robbery in 1973. During this robbery, hostages were trapped for six days in a bank vault. After they escaped, the hostages trusted their captors, and some even refused to testify against them in court. 

The symptoms of Stockholm syndrome involve positive emotions towards a captor. People suffering from Stockholm syndrome trust their captors and sympathize with them. They justify their behaviors and occasionally shift the blame for their behaviors onto themselves or others. Because of this, they have negative feelings toward law officials, police officers, and other authorities. 

There is no definite reason behind why Stockholm syndrome occurs. Some psychologists believe that Stockholm syndrome is a defense mechanism to the situation captives undergo. Some psychologists believe Stockholm syndrome stems from gratitude – When kidnappers do not kill or harm their captors, the captors feel gratitude. Their instinct to survive outweighs the negative feelings to their captor, as such they develop a bond with their captor. 

Stockholm syndrome is similar to PTSD, or post-traumatic stress disorder, both being psychological conditions. Psychological conditions have no prescribed medicines. They are generally “cured” through counseling or therapy. 

Stockholm syndrome is an example of a psychological condition that seems absurd at first glance. However, it is crucial to understand the complexities of the syndrome so we can empathize with those who have or have had the condition. In the face of adversity, many unexpected and fascinating things can occur, and Stockholm syndrome is just one of these things.

Sources:

Lambert, Laura. “Stockholm syndrome”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Dec. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/science/Stockholm-syndrome. 

Cleveland Clinical Medical Professionals. “Stockholm Syndrome: What It Is, Symptoms & How to Treat.” Cleveland Clinic, 2022, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22387-stockholm-syndrome. 

FBI.gov. “Patty Hearst Kidnapping.” FBI, FBI, 1 Dec. 2017, www.fbi.gov/history/artifacts/patty-hearst-kidnapping.