Workplace Stockholm Syndrome: what it is, symptoms, and what to do

Stockholm syndrome is well known, the one in which the person has identified with their own aggressor, getting to put himself in his place, understand him and justify the reasons that led him to do so. kidnap her.

This situation can occur not only with victims of kidnapping, but also with victims of physical and psychological abuse, for example within the couple or in the work context.

It may surprise you, but there are people who, despite being treated very inhumanly at their job, do not want to leave it. This is the stockholm syndrome at work, and we are going to see it in greater depth below.

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What is the Stockholm syndrome at work?

Workplace Stockholm Syndrome is a condition that occurs when the worker strongly identifies with his work or the company, despite the fact that the same environment is the place where he suffers serious mistreatment. The environment can be extremely stressful, you may have dysfunctional relationships with your boss and coworkers, and you may not be buying your work fairly. The person is a victim of psychological and even physical abuse, but still feels identified with the company.

This identification can be so pathological that the victim justifies and consents to the mistreatment received by his superiors and colleagues. It is common that, as the person tolerated the mistreatment shortly after starting to work there, they have internalized and normalized it. As time goes by, she becomes more accustomed to harassment and may even have stopped seeing it as something negative.. Based on receiving constant psychological abuse, the person feels that they are worthless, having their self-esteem on the ground and feeling that they deserve to be treated like this.

Symptoms

The Stockholm syndrome at work is not included in the DSM-5 as a diagnostic criterion per se, however, it can be identify a series of symptoms or characteristics present in people who suffer labor "mobbing" but who do not want to leave their job. These symptoms can be found at any age, at any educational level and in any type of worker.

• Relationship with the boss or colleagues based on fear and disrespect.
• Poor coexistence with the boss or colleagues.
• Tense and toxic work environment.
• They do not want to leave the company despite the mistreatment.
• They do not want to leave the company despite the unfair salary.
• They do not want to leave the company despite not being comfortable
• Justify the bad behavior of the boss or colleagues.
• Constantly maintain a submissive posture.
• Feeling of not being able to leave the company.
• Stop seeing, totally or partially, everything negative about the company.
• Focus on the little positive that the company has.

Consequences

If you don't leave work on time or go to a psychologist to manage your first symptoms, the Stockholm syndrome at work brings with it serious consequences. As the worker spends more time in the company that mistreats him, he will lose security and self-confidence, in addition to feeling more limited. Because his boss and coworkers tell him that he doesn't have good qualities or isn't capable of doing tasks well, his self-esteem is lowered and he feels deeply disgusted with himself.

The person is not able to defend themselves from the comments made to them and they will not be able to change jobs either., since she strongly identifies with him. He may even justify what they are doing, thinking that it really isn't worth it and that he deserves what they are doing to him. He may even think that the victims are his boss and colleagues, since they have to put up with him at work. His ability to see reality may be so impaired that he no longer knows what is right and what is not.

Employment is not always a source of well-being but, of course, not feeling comfortable in it at all generates great frustration. This frustration can contribute to the worker suffering from psychological disorders, usually anxiety and depression. In addition, other areas of his life will be affected, such as family, friends and partner, who will see that their loved one suffers but is consenting to be treated badly. Due to psychological discomfort, the victim can become psychosomatized, suffering from contractures, stomach pains, insomnia...

Over time it is common for people with occupational Stockholm syndrome to develop learned helplessness. The victim gets used to being manipulated and mistreated, making them really believe that they have no other way out and that he cannot do anything to change things, nor defend himself in any way from the contempt and abuse of which he is object.

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To do?

To overcome the Stockholm syndrome at work, it is necessary, first of all, for the person to become aware that they are being the victim of an unfair situation and that nothing, even if it lacks work qualities, deserves such bad deals. It is necessary for the victim to identify and recognize the inappropriate conduct of which he has been subjected and how they have manipulated her to make her feel identified with the company.

Abuse can manifest itself in multiple ways. Some can be subtle, such as gestures of contempt, not receiving the corresponding salary, not having the benefits established by law, or working more hours than they are supposed to. Others may be more overt such as disrespectful comments, name calling, yelling, constant teasing, threats that you will be fired, or laughing in your face. All these behaviors must be identified and related to the psychological and physical discomfort suffered by the patient.

It is essential to contact psychologists, doctors and psychiatrists. The reason for this is not only to treat the psychological and physical problems associated with the disorder, but to confirm that the patient has this picture due to mistreatment at work. Thus, you have proof that will help a lawyer to make the company pay for the damage done. Other professionals should also be consulted, especially human resources and union representatives.

If it is not considered necessary to go to court or leave the job, the patient can continue working in the same job but establishing personal limits. The psychologist will provide him with strategies to be more assertive, indicating when he does not like being made nasty comments or disrespectful. In addition, in consultation with a union, The interested party must know what his rights are, both as a worker and for the simple fact of being a human being., and you will have to assert them in his position.

However, if the company does not seem to want to respect our limits, it is best to leave the job, in addition to taking the appropriate legal measures. This is especially recommended when the abuse has been very serious and the person has no guarantee that they will be treated as a human being in their workplace. When you change jobs, you'll need to make sure the old job doesn't happen again by setting limits early on and acknowledging any signs of mistreatment.

Bibliographic references:

• Dutton, Donald G. and Painter, Susan (1993): Emotional Attachments in Abusive Relationships: A Test of Traumatic Bonding Theory. Violence and Victims, Vol. 8, no. 2.
• Seligman, M. AND. Q. (1975). Helplessness: On Depression, Development, and Death. San Francisco: w. h. Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-2328-X.