Kim’s recent confession of having had Stockholm Syndrome during this marriage has brought spotlight to a little-understood dynamic in toxic relationships where one partner may face emotional attachment to the abuser.

Kim Kardashian has opened up about her past relationship and health struggles on her show's season 7 premiere of The Kardashians. The 45-year-old American star revealed that her former marriage to rapper-producer Kanye West took a major toll on her emotional, mental and physical health. During the candid conversation on the show, Kim spoke about the aftermath of the couple's divorce in 2021 and how she was concerned for her children.

Kim’s recent confession of having had Stockholm Syndrome during this marriage has brought spotlight to a little-understood dynamic in toxic relationships where one partner may face emotional attachment to the abuser.

To understand the deeper layers of Stockholm Syndrome, its symptoms, impacts and recovery, we reached out to Dr Pretty Duggar Gupta Consultant - Psychiatrist, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, Dr. Prerna Kohli,  president awardee Clinical Psychologist from Gurgaon, Dr Divya Reddy, Clinical Psychologist, Fortis Hospital, Bangalore, and Emotional Healing Coach, Uzma Sheikh from lucknow.

What Kim Kardashian Said?

Speaking on the reality show, the star and business mogul went candid, saying she had felt she suffered from Stockholm Syndrome during her marriage. 'I always felt like I had a little bit of Stockholm syndrome, to where I always felt really bad and always protected and always wanted to help,” She said. 'I felt it, I felt more stressed, probably just because I had to super, super protect what I had to protect,' she continued.

What Is Stockholm Syndrome?

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response in which a hostage or abuse victim develops positive feelings toward their captor or abuser as a coping mechanism. It basically occurs when someone starts caring for, even defending, the person who hurts them.

The term originated from a 1973 incident in Stockholm, Sweden, where two men held four people hostage for six days after a bank robbery. After their release, the hostages refused to testify against their captors and even defended their actions.

Although not classified as a psychiatric disorder in the DSM-5 or ICD-11, Stockholm Syndrome is understood as part of the trauma-bonding spectrum, often observed in situations of prolonged coercion or emotional abuse.

During the discussion Dr Pretty Duggar Gupta shared, “This phenomenon occurs ïn relationships when a person continues to feel love, care, or dependence on a partner despite being mistreated or emotionally manipulated. Essentially, it functions as a survival mechanism, where the brain seeks safety and emotional stability by aligning with the source of harm. Gradually, the victim begins to interpret controlling or intermittent affectionate behavior as love, blurring the boundaries between care and abuse”

Symptoms

Stockholm Syndrome in relationships is far more common than people realise. While not a formal diagnosis, clinicians identify Stockholm by observing reactions such as emotional dependency, cognitive dissonance, and trauma-related bonding patterns.

Dr. Prerna Kohli explained “There isn’t a medical test for it. It’s something you notice in patterns, how a person keeps protecting the one who causes them pain. They might take things not that bad or feel guilty for wanting to leave.

“Taking all the blame traps them in a cycle of guilt and hope, preventing them from recognising that the relationship itself is the source of harm,” shared by Dr Divya Reddy.

Talking about symptoms, Emotional fitness coach Sheikh mentions, “The major symptom I see is how the mindset of I must protect or help masks an underlying fear that I’m nothing without them. Frequent guilt, confusion when they hurt you, and confusing control with care are also frequently apparent.”

Impact On Victim’s Daily Life

The psychological impact of Stockholm Syndrome extends far beyond the relationship itself. Emotionally, affected individuals are trapped in a cycle of fear, affection, and dependency. Explaining how this phenomenon impacts a victim’s daily life, Dr Gupta said, “One may experience constant anxiety, low mood, and difficulty trusting their own perceptions, affecting their other personal or professional relationships.” She further added that even making small decisions can feel overwhelming in this situation.

As the relationship becomes the primary or sole source of emotional support, the victim gradually loses touch with their identity, personal values, and goals. “In their daily life, victims live thinking they are the problem of everything, dismissing their own emotional distress as normal,” shared by the emotional fitness coach.

Recovery and Healing 

To recover from Stockholm Syndrome, victims require immense courage and professional support and this begins with acknowledgment.  One has to accept that love does not coexist with fear and control.  Dr Gupta suggests evidence-based treatments such as, “trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), somatic therapies, or EMDR can help individuals process traumatic memories and reframe cognitive distortions. “

Rebuilding social connections with trusted friends and family provides emotional validation and perspective. One should also establish boundaries with the abuser for long-term healing. Self-care practices, including mindfulness, journaling, and physical activity, further support confidence and independence.

Bottomline

Kim Kardashian’s conversation about Stockholm Syndrome has highlighted the need for awareness about this lesser known trait of toxic relationships. Healing from Stockholm Syndrome is a gradual process that requires professional support along with emotional care from the loved ones. However, this is not a quick process and requires a structured approach.  With time, one can recover their self-worth, which eventually reflects in their daily lives.

FAQ

• What Is Stockholm Syndrome?

Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response in which a hostage or abuse victim develops positive feelings toward the abuser.

• What Are The Causes Of Stockholm Syndrome?

The roots of Stockholm Syndrome lie in trauma bonding, stress, and emotional dependency.