Stockholm Syndrome and Trauma Bonding: The Psychology of Survival
- rasika773
- May 14
- 4 min read
Hello there! Today, we’ll be discussing Stockholm Syndrome and Trauma Bonding. It's important to remember that the information provided here should not be taken as medical, legal, or therapeutic advice. Everyone's journey through stress or trauma is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. Experiencing abuse in any form is never okay, and your experiences and feelings are completely valid. Healing is a personal process, and only you can define what that looks like for you. Remember to prioritize your own needs and well-being. If you need more resources or someone to talk to, please reach out to Imaara Foundation.

Written by: Sivakami Murali
What Is Stockholm Syndrome?
Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological response that can occur when a person who is being held captive or abused develops a sense of emotional connection or alliance with their captor or abuser. This bond often emerges as a coping mechanism in life-threatening or highly stressful situations. Over time—days, weeks, months, or even years—the individual may come to rely on their captor for survival, leading to complex emotional attachments (Ajagbe et al., 2023).
The term originated from a 1973 bank robbery in Stockholm, Sweden, where four employees were held hostage in a vault for six days. Remarkably, the hostages began to sympathize with their captors. One even told the then Prime Minister, Olof Palme, that she trusted the captors more than the police and feared dying in a police raid. The hostages later refused to testify against their captors and even raised funds to support them (Lambert, 2025).
What are its symptoms and psychological impact?
People experiencing Stockholm Syndrome often exhibit symptoms also associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including:
Sleep disturbances and nightmares
Heightened irritability and difficulty concentrating
Dissociation and feelings of unreality
Avoidance of pleasurable activities
Flashbacks
Fearfulness and hypervigilance (Ajagbe et al., 2023)
In some cases, survivors may push away loved ones or rescue authorities, convinced that their alliance with the abuser is beneficial or even loving.
Why Does Stockholm Syndrome Occur?
While the exact causes remain unclear, some researchers suggest it may stem from ancestral survival instincts. In early human societies, forming a bond with captors could increase one’s chances of survival. Others propose that, in situations of prolonged abuse, individuals may adapt emotionally to occasional kindness from abusers—interpreting this as compassion—especially when compared to the threat of further violence (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.).
Key Characteristics:
Positive emotions toward the abuser
Empathy for the abuser’s motivations or behavior
Hostility or mistrust toward those attempting to help
How can you heal from Stockholm Syndrome?
Healing from Stockholm Syndrome requires careful, trauma-informed care. Survivors may initially distrust therapists or support professionals, viewing them as potential threats (Ajagbe et al., 2023). Recovery typically involves:
Psychotherapy, especially trauma-informed or PTSD-focused therapy
Emotional support and care from trusted loved ones
Deprogramming survival-based thought patterns and responses
Long-term therapeutic support to rebuild a sense of safety and autonomy (Kumar, 2022)
To effectively support survivors, governments and institutions must invest in specialized psychiatric units and counselling services tailored to experiences of captivity or prolonged abuse.
What Is Trauma Bonding?
Trauma bonding is a psychological and emotional attachment that forms between a person experiencing abuse and their abuser. It typically occurs in abusive relationships, especially intimate partnerships, where the abuse is interspersed with affection, apologies, or moments of seeming kindness.
This cycle—abuse followed by love bombing (excessive attention, affection, or gifts), guilt, and reconciliation—confuses the survivor and reinforces emotional dependency (Reid, 2024). As a result, survivors may feel attached to their abuser, making it difficult to recognize the abuse or leave the relationship.
What are the signs of a trauma bond?
Making excuses for the abuser’s behavior
Lying to family or friends about the abuse
Believing they are to blame for the abuse
Feeling unable to leave the relationship despite harm
Repeating cycles of harm and reconciliation
Believing in promises of change that are never fulfilled
Experiencing isolation from loved ones
Trusting the abuser despite mistreatment (Resnick, 2024)
What are the 7 stages of a trauma bond?
Love Bombing – Overwhelming displays of affection and attention
Gaining Trust – The abuser seeks to earn trust, reacting negatively to doubt
Criticism and Control – Belittling the survivor to erode their self-esteem
Manipulation – Gaslighting the survivor into doubting their reality
Resignation (Fawning) – The survivor complies to avoid further harm
Psychological Distress – Numbness, isolation, identity loss, and sometimes suicidal ideation
Repetition – The cycle repeats, often restarting with love bombing
How can one recover from a trauma bond?
Healing from trauma bonding is possible but requires support and patience. Key elements of recovery include:
Psychotherapy – Trauma-informed therapy helps survivors navigate conflicting emotions and rebuild a sense of self and safety
Support Groups – Connecting with others who’ve had similar experiences can reduce feelings of shame and isolation
Education – Understanding trauma bonds helps survivors make sense of their responses and take steps toward freedom (Resnick, 2024)
Are Trauma Bonding and Stockholm Syndrome the Same?
Though they share similarities—such as emotional attachment to a person causing harm—Stockholm Syndrome and trauma bonding have distinct origins:
Stockholm Syndrome is primarily associated with captivity or hostage situations and is considered a survival mechanism.
Trauma Bonding occurs in cycles of abuse and reconciliation, typically in domestic or intimate partner settings, and is driven by psychological manipulation and emotional dependency (Jourdan, n.d.).
Both require empathy, education, and trauma-informed support systems for survivors to heal and reclaim their autonomy.
Want the references for this article?
Ajagbe, A O., Onigbinde, A O., Lateef, I C., Onyemah T N., Eni-Olorunda, T., (2023). Stockholm Syndrome: Causes, implications, and way out. ( https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Abayomi-Ajagbe/publication/367253036_Stockholm_syndrome_Causes_implications_and_way_out/links/63c8e95bd9fb5967c2ea3671/Stockholm-syndrome-Causes-implications-and-way-out.pdf )
Lambert, L., 2025. Britannica Publications ( https://www.britannica.com/science/Stockholm-syndrome )
Cleveland Clinic., n.d., Stockholm Syndrome ( https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22387-stockholm-syndrome )
Reid, J A., 2024. Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimes ( https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=nTYTEQAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=trauma+bonding+defined+&ots=ilgBZwHeXv&sig=9x9yB1YZ03Ziihznc46GKfww0-0&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=trauma%20bonding%20defined&f=true )
Resnick, A., 2024. Understanding Trauma Bonding. ( https://www.verywellmind.com/trauma-bonding-5207136 )
Jourdan, B., n.d. Is Stockholm Syndrome The Same As a Trauma Bond? Untangling the Web of Love and Abuse. ( https://breakthroughtraumatherapy.com/is-stockholm-syndrome-the-same-as-a-trauma-bond-untangling-the-web-of-love-and-abuse/ )
Kumar, P., (2022). Stockholm Syndrome: An Understanding. Journal of Psychosocial Wellbeing, 3(1): 1-4. ( https://jpsw.co.in/index.php/jpsw/article/download/71/55 )
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