50 years on, the enduring myth of Stockholm Syndrome

Stockholm Syndrome is "not a psychiatric diagnosis", says Christoffer Rahm, a psychiatrist at the Karolinska Institute and author of the scientific article "Stockholm Syndrome: Psychiatric Diagnosis or Urban Myth?".

Rather, the term is used to describe a "defense mechanism that helps the victim" cope with a traumatic situation, he told AFP.

I am surprised the syndrome is frequently taken as this almost-paranormal kind of mind control or personality change more adequate for cult indoctrination. I always thought it was natural to take it as described here, a coping mechanism where the person is still the same and takes the experience in a way that is easier to accept and process.

I am surprised the syndrome is frequently taken as this almost-paranormal kind of mind control or personality change more adequate for cult indoctrination.

It is not surprising lay people would be surprised, even though it has never been deemed a psychiatric illness or disorder.

It is not surprising lay people would be surprised, even though it has never been deemed a psychiatric illness or disorder.

Precisely the fact that it has never been deemed a psychiatric illness is what makes this surprising. The same as every other coping mechanism that shares the same situation Humor in the face of difficulties would be another example, it would be as surprising to find out people think of this as some kind of personality altering thing instead of what it is, a simple way to deal better with adversity.

An interesting article, one that promotes thought

It seems to me rational to be concerned, as a civilian, by both the gunmen and law enforcement in a hostage situation. The civilian hostages are the only ones without weapons, and are at the mercy of those holding weapons. Criminals on drugs are notoriously unpredictable, and most law enforcement officials are poorly trained in how to deal with a hostage situation, and in how to use weapons. The most advantageous avenues of behavior for hostages are clearly difficult to calculate.

Not quite comparable, but I will always remember the time my brother's family, in their car, were caught in the crossfire between perps and cops during an armed robbery. There were bullets suddenly flying in both directions around their car. Fortunately they were not hit, but they were powerless to control the situation. Like a hostage, sometimes one has very little power to control a situation.

Wait, she did go on to have an affair with the guy… and then at the end the writer draws parallels with abusive partners. So then it’s not a myth?

Something about this story is fishy. The remark about it being a reaction to disappointment in authorities sounds fake. Like the message of this article is being used in some political battle about gender or social justice or something or other.

There are few myths but many interpretations