Can You Be Immune to Stockholm Syndrome?

If Stockholm syndrome cannot happen to anyone, then what type of individual would be immune to this psychological condition?

“Theoretically, some persons may have such powerful personality traits (e.g., a very solid sense of identity, ability to tolerate fear, ability to experience but control their emotions) that they may be very unlikely to fall into a Stockholm syndrome-type reaction,” says David M. Reiss, MD, a psychiatrist from San Diego with extensive experience in PTSD.

“Some people will argue that everyone, no matter how strong, has their breaking point, including the so-called psychopaths who commit the heinous crimes of abduction, imprisonment and torture.

“Since every human being has developmentally passed through earlier stages of immaturity, perhaps at some point, under sufficient stress, almost anyone might break.”

But how much worse or stressful can a situation be when we’re talking about real-life men and women who escaped (or summoned for help first chance they got) their torturous captivity?

Dr. Reiss explains that “there are certainly real stories of persons who have so much control of their emotions and behaviors that they remain ‘in control’ even in what seems to be the most extreme and horrifying situations.”

Staying in control, yet acknowledging feelings of fear and rage towards the captor, is a protective mechanism against Stockholm syndrome.

It boils down to the solidity of an individual’s personality structure, says Dr. Reiss.

He explains that “for all practical purposes, they can be considered ‘immune’ from Stockholm syndrome-type reactions.

Perhaps you know men or women, or even teenagers, who fit this bill. If you’re an adult, think back to when you were in high school.

Did you know any classmates who seemed like they’d be immune to Stockholm syndrome if they were ever abducted and locked in the captor’s cellar, beaten and sexually assaulted?

Did your school have a few bullies who seemed to be fearless of everybody? Suppose one of those bullies had been kidnapped.

If it’s easy to imagine that bully making an escape first chance that came his or her way, that’s because perhaps that individual’s personality structure was quite solidified.

However, the bully who is “all bluster and bluff” could actually have a weak character and react in the opposite direction if the tables are turned.

Or what about teens or young adults who are very rebellious and defiant? Perhaps they’d be immune to Stockholm syndrome, too. Any strong leaders at your school or on the job? Anyone who’s quick to voice a strong opinion any chance they get?

Yes, it’s very possible for someone to be immune to Stockholm syndrome, and this doesn’t just happen by chance.

Dr. Reiss has been in private practice 25+ years, specializing in adult and adolescent psychiatry, having evaluated and treated over 10,000 patients.

Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.  

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Top image: Shutterstock/Maria Sbytova