Stockholm Syndrome and the Case of Jaycee Lee Dugard

With more and more information being released about the past 18 years of Jaycee Lee Dugard surfacing; questions have been raised about her succumbing to Stockholm syndrome. Dugard, who was 11 years old at the time of her abduction; has been living in a secret compound behind her kidnapper Phillip Garridos' home in Antioch, Ca. all of these years. Over this time, several people have reported speaking with her by phone and through email; however, she never showed any signs of being held against her will or asking for help. Very few people can comprehend what this young lady has had to endure; but as the story continues to unravel, was Jaycee Dugard a victim of the Stockholm syndrome.

According to MedicineNet.com, Stockholm syndrome is defined as an extraordinary phenomenon where a hostage begins to sympathize and identify with their captors. The first such case occurred in Stockholm, Sweden; victim's being held hostage during a bank robbery which spanned over six days, began to become emotionally attached to the robbers. This incidence of sympathy for captors is where the term Stockholm syndrome derived. The most well-known case of this happening was the 1974 abduction of Patty Hearst, whom was abducted by the Symbionese Liberation Army. Hearst later proceeded in helping her kidnappers with a number of bank robberies. In the case of Jaycee Lee Dugard, the FBI has stated, "Instead of hating the person who has abducted them, they come to empathize with them and view the outside world as the enemy."

Emails sent by Jaycee Lee Dugard have recently surfaced. It has emerged that she helped with Garridos' printing company, which was being run from his home. Jaycee, going by the name Allisa, would correspond with customers by email about company related orders. None of the emails gave alarm to anyone that they were written by someone being held against their will. Customers would occasionally come to the home with business and have stated to seeing Jaycee working. With this information, we now know that she had access to computers and to a few people; but what would cause her to not seek a chance at letting these people know her ordeal?

Our minds and bodies are very powerful, and the instinct to survive is instilled in us from our infancy. Jaycee Dugards' psyche must have been filled with despair and hopelessness; however, the fear of punishment for escape would have besieged her. Dr. Keith Ablow, a psychiatrist; reported to Foxnews, "To maintain one's desperation and grief and rage for many years, would be too damaging to the human mind , so the human mind tells itself a story about safety and contentment to safeguard itself , that's the essence of Stockholm syndrome."

Until we learn more about her horrifying ordeal, we can't confirm Jaycee Lee Dugard suffers with Stockholm syndrome. She does appear to be a victim of Stockholm syndrome; but, right now she will need patience and prayers for her and the children.

Medicinenet.com
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24038
Definition of Stockholm syndrome

Jessica Ryan Doyle
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,544020,00.html
Psychiatrist on Jaycee Dugard: Bonding With Captors Is Mind's Way of Safeguarding Itself