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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.

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