Lima Syndrome Is Stockholm Syndrome’s Lesser-Known Opposite, Where A Captor Develops A Deep Bond With Their Victim
We’ve all heard of Stockholm syndrome, where a victim develops a positive connection with their captor.
But most people are probably in the dark about Stockholm syndrome’s lesser-known opposite, Lima syndrome.
In Lima syndrome, a captor will develop a bond with their victim. When this psychological response happens, they may become empathetic to their victim’s circumstances.
There isn’t much information on Lima syndrome that’s available, but one example of it can be found in a hostage situation that took place in Lima, Peru, which is how the phenomenon got its name.
The history behind Lima syndrome began in late 1996 when several guests in attendance at a party hosted by the Japanese ambassador were captured and held hostage.
Many of the party guests were top government officials, high-level diplomats, and business executives.
They were captured by members of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MTRA), a socialist group that demanded the release of MTRA prisoners. During the first month of the hostage crisis, more than half of the hostages were let go.
The reason for this seemed to be that the captors had started to feel sympathetic toward their victims.
The response came to be known as Lima syndrome. Its effects made it less likely that the hostages would be harmed and increased the chances of their escape.
jorge – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
The hostage crisis lasted for a total of 126 days, eventually ending in the spring of 1997. Peruvian special forces killed all 14 MTRA members and freed the remaining hostages.
Symptoms of Lima Syndrome
Lima syndrome occurs when a captor forms a positive bond with their victim. A positive bond can include a wide range of feelings.
In general, the symptoms of Lima syndrome are feeling empathy for a victim’s situation, becoming more attentive to a victim’s needs/wants, beginning to relate to the victim, or developing feelings of attachment, fondness, and affection toward the victim. Someone with Lima syndrome may experience one or a combination of these symptoms.
Causes of Lima Syndrome
The causes of this condition are unclear since very little research has been done about it. But, some of the common characteristics observed in the MTRA members involved in the hostage crisis were youth, inexperience, and a lack of strong convictions.
Many of the MTRA members were teenagers or young adults. They also appeared to have little understanding of the political ideals behind the movement and were mostly in it for the money.
In addition, establishing a friendly rapport could contribute to a positive connection. Several of the captives in the hostage crisis were diplomats who were well-versed in communication and negotiation.
Spending a long period of time with a person could also help foster a connection, although, in the case of the Lima crisis, this likely wasn’t a factor since most of the hostages were released early on.
Examples of Lima Syndrome
One example of Lima syndrome can be found in “Beauty and the Beast.” The classic fairytale is about a girl named Belle who is taken as a captive by the Beast after her father trespasses onto his property.
At first, the Beast treats Belle cruelly, locking her up in a tower. Eventually, his feelings toward her soften, and he even lets her go home to care for her sick father.
Another case of Lima syndrome occurred in Uttar Pradesh, India, between a man and his kidnappers. It actually involves Stockholm syndrome as well since the man began to identify with his kidnappers’ values, and in return, the kidnappers treated him with kindness, even letting him go back to his village.
Overall, Lima syndrome is a psychological response where a captor develops a positive connection with a victim.
The condition typically transpires within an unbalanced power dynamic and under traumatic circumstances. Psychological counseling can help people with Lima syndrome cope with their feelings.
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