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It might seem odd that I find a connection between Stockholm Syndrome and Attachment Disorder but, for some strange reason I do. In our walk as adoptive parents I have found many who doubt the true depth of an attachment disorder, and tell us they simply don’t understand what the problem might be with a child who can’t accept and love parents after living a difficult life. Yet, these same doubters are willing and able to accept the fact that a well adjusted person could be kidnapped and abused into bonding with their captors?
Stockholm Syndrome is a term used to describe the behavior of a kidnap victims who, over time, become sympathetic to their captors. This term was first used following a 1973 six-day hostage incident in Stockholm, Sweden. During a bank robbery several people were held captive in the bank, and when authorities finally were able to rescue them several hostage victims resisted rescue attempts. During the trial many of the victims refused to testify against their captors.
The kidnapping and rescue of Elizabeth Smart is one of the most recent cases some classify as a form of Stockholm Syndrome, many wonder why a kidnapped little girl wasn’t able to send out some kind of signal that she was being held against her will. She saw flyer’s, and knew people were looking for her–yet, she was unable to respond as most people would expect.
The most famous case of Stockholm Syndrome in U.S. history involved the kidnapped heiress Patty Hearst. She was captured by the radical political group known as the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974. During her captivity Patty Hearst became an accomplice of the group and took on an assumed name. She participated in several bank robberies. When she was rescued Patty, denounced the group and her claimed her involvement was due to brain washing and control.
It is thought that victims who develop Stockholm Syndrome start to identify with their captors as a defensive mechanism, or from a deep fear of violence. Captors might show a small acts of kindness which becomes meaningful to the victims who magnifies this kindness, in an attempt to find some kind of perspective in a hostage situation. Since this by definition is logically impossible, even rescue attempts become a threat. Victims begin to feel any rescue could cause the captive victim to be injured.
This behavior is considered a common survival strategy for victims of interpersonal abuse, and has been observed in battered spouses, abused children, prisoners of war, and concentration camp survivors.
It just seems so odd to me that the general public is willing to accept Stockholm Syndrome yet can’t seem to relate to the fact that some of our adopted children coming from abusive backgrounds, might experience years of inability to form a health attachment to safe, well meaning and loving adoptive parents.
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Related Blogs:
- The Diagnostic Criteria For Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- The Symptoms of Reactive Attachment Disorder
- Ten Ways to Support To A RAD Mom.
Special Needs and Adoption-Related Terms: Adoption terms and special needs words may vary from agency to agency. The terms used in this Special Needs Adoption-Related Glossary may be slightly different from one State to another.
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For more information about parenting special needs children you might want to visit the Families.com Special Needs Blog and the Mental Health Blog. Or visit my personal website.
Anna Glendenning is also Families.com Insurance and Guest Blogger. Read her blogs at: http://members.families.com/happymomanna/blog