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

The Stockholm syndrome at work keeps the worker in positions in which he/she suffers mistreatment.

The Stockholm syndrome is well known, that in which the person has identified with his own aggressor, putting himself in his place, understanding him and justifying the reasons that led him to kidnap him.

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 come as a surprise, but there are people who, despite being treated very inhumanely in the workplace, do not want to leave. This is the Stockholm syndrome at workand we are going to see it in greater depth below.

What is the occupational Stockholm syndrome?

Workplace Stockholm syndrome is a condition that occurs when a worker identifies strongly with his or her job or company, despite the fact that this same when the worker identifies strongly with his job or the company, despite the fact that this same environment is the place where he suffers serious mistreatment.. The environment can be extremely stressful, have dysfunctional relationships with their boss and co-workers, and not be paid fairly for their work. The person is the 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 condones the mistreatment received by his superiors and colleagues. It is frequent that, as the person tolerated the mistreatment shortly after starting to work there, he/she has internalized and normalized it. As time goes by, the more accustomed they become to the abuse and may even have ceased to see it as something negative.. By receiving constant psychological mistreatment, the person feels that he/she is worthless, having his/her self-esteem at rock bottom and feeling that he/she deserves to be treated this way.

Symptoms

The Stockholm syndrome at work is not included in the DSM-5 as a diagnostic criterion per se, however, it is possible to identify a series of symptoms or characteristics present in people who suffer "mobbing" at work but 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 co-workers.
• Tense and toxic work environment.
• Unwillingness to leave the company despite mistreatment.
• Unwillingness to leave the company despite unfair pay.
• You do not want to leave the company despite being unhappy.
• Justifying the bad behavior of the boss or co-workers.
• Constantly maintaining a submissive posture.
• Feeling of not being able to leave the company.
• Failing to see, totally or partially, all the negative aspects of the company.
• Focusing on the little positive that the company has.

Consequences

If the employee does not leave the job in time and does not go to a psychologist to manage the first symptoms, the Stockholm syndrome at work brings with it serious consequences. As the employee spends more time in the company that mistreats him/her, he/she will lose self-confidence and self-assurance, as well as feeling more limited. As his boss and colleagues tell him that he does not have good qualities or is not capable of doing the tasks well, his self-esteem is reduced and he feels deeply disgusted with himself.

The person is not able to defend him/herself against the comments made to him/her and will not be able to change jobs.because he strongly identifies with him. He may even justify what they are doing, thinking that he is really worthless and that he deserves what they are doing to him. He may even think that, in reality, the victims are his boss and colleagues because they have to put up with him at work. Your ability to see reality may be so altered that you no longer know what is right and what is wrong.

Employment is not always a source of well-being, but certainly not feeling at all comfortable in it generates a great deal of frustration. This frustration can contribute to psychological disorders, usually anxiety and depression. In addition, other areas of his or her life will be affected, such as family, friends and partner, who will see that their loved one is suffering but is allowing himself or herself to be treated badly. Because of the psychological discomfort the victim may psychosomatize, suffering from contractures, stomach pains, insomnia...

With the passage of time it is not uncommon for people suffering from 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 they cannot do anything to change things, nor defend themselves in any way from the contempt and abuse to which they are subjected.

What to do?

To overcome the Stockholm syndrome at work it is necessary, first of all, that the person becomes aware that he/she is being the victim of an unfair situation and that nothing, not even if he/she lacks labor qualities, deserves such mistreatment. It is necessary that the victim identifies and recognizes the inappropriate behaviors to which he/she has been subjected and how she has been manipulated to feel identified with the company.

Mistreatment can manifest itself in many ways. Some may be subtle, such as belittling gestures, not receiving the corresponding salary, not receiving the benefits established by law, or working more hours than they are supposed to. Others may be more obvious, such as disrespectful comments, insults, shouting, 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 condition as a result of abuse at work. Thus, there is a 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 deemed necessary to go to court or even leave the job, the patient can continue to work in the same job but establish personal boundaries. The psychologist will provide him/her with strategies to be more assertive, indicating when he/she does not like to be made unpleasant comments or disrespected. In addition, in consultation with a union, the person concerned should know what his rights are, both as a worker and as a human being, and he will have to assert them.and will have to assert them in his or her position.

However, if the company does not seem to want to respect our limits, the best thing to do is to leave the job, in addition to taking the appropriate legal measures. This is especially advisable when the mistreatment has been very serious and the person has no guarantee that he/she will be treated as a human being in his/her job. When changing jobs, you should make sure that what happened in your previous job does not happen again, setting boundaries at the outset and recognizing any signs of abuse.

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. E. P. (1975). Helplessness: On Depression, Development, and Death. San Francisco: W. H. Freeman. ISBN 0-7167-2328-X.