📊 Stockholm Syndrome vs Trauma Bonding Cheat Sheet

Aspect	Stockholm Syndrome	Trauma Bonding
Origins	Coined after 1970s hostage case in Stockholm; survival response to captivity	Seen in abusive relationships, cults, child abuse; attachment formed through abuse cycles
Mechanism	Short-term coping strategy under direct threat	Long-term conditioning via cycles of abuse and intermittent rewards
Emotional Dynamics	Victim feels sympathy, gratitude, or loyalty toward captor for sparing harm or showing small kindnesses	Victim feels loyalty, love, or guilt toward abuser, often rationalizing abuse and self-blaming
Duration	Temporary, linked to captivity and immediate danger	Persistent, lasting months/years/decades, even after leaving the abuser
Brain & Psychology	Acute stress survival mode (fight-flight-freeze-fawn)	Reinforced by dopamine/oxytocin “addiction” to unpredictable affection and control
Context	Hostage, kidnapping, terrorism, imprisonment	Domestic violence, toxic family dynamics, cults, exploitative relationships

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👉 Quick Takeaway:

• Stockholm Syndrome = short-term survival attachment in captivity.
• Trauma Bonding = long-term addictive attachment in abusive relationships.

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