A Case of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Complicated by Stockholm Syndrome: A Unique Psychiatric Phenomenon in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence

Cureus. 2025 Apr 15;17(4):e82307. doi: 10.7759/cureus.82307. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Stockholm syndrome are two distinct psychological responses that could occur following intense trauma. While PTSD is characterized by intrusive memories, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors, Stockholm syndrome involves the paradoxical development of emotional attachment to the abuser who inflicted the trauma. This case report presents a 39-year-old female patient who survived a life-threatening neck stabbing incident by her abusive ex-husband and developed both PTSD and Stockholm syndrome. Initially presenting with classic PTSD symptoms such as hyper-arousal, intrusive memories, and anxiety, the patient’s psychological recovery was complicated by a growing emotional attachment to her abuser. Over the course of treatment, her PTSD symptoms improved, but she expressed empathy for her attacker, maintained contact with him while he was incarcerated, and even sought to drop charges against him. This case highlights the complex interplay between PTSD and Stockholm syndrome, suggesting that PTSD symptom resolution may contribute to or even coincide with the development of Stockholm syndrome, particularly in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV). This report also recognizes the need for clinicians to recognize the potential emergence of Stockholm syndrome during PTSD recovery and to consider its implications for treatment and recovery in IPV cases.

PMID:40376364 | PMC:PMC12081120 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.82307