Do you know what “Berlin Syndrome” means if it was ever mentioned to you? Whenever or wherever most people have come across this phrase it might be in a movie or a film title or just as a phrase that is used in everyday conversation. The intentions of this article are to discover how the term ‘Berlin Syndrome’ started, define it, and its consequences.

What is Berlin Syndrome?

Contrary to the expectations one might have when just hearing the title Berlin Syndrome is not really a medical condition. Instead, it is a psychological perspective, often detected in the sphere connected with human interactions. It gained wide recognition due to the 2017 film of the same title as a psychological thriller that tells a story about the relationship established between an Australian photographer and her kidnapper in Berlin.

Altogether, the Berlin Syndrome refers to a case where a person is locked in by another in an emotional, physical or psychological way, especially in the guise of a lover. It is usually marked by emotions of attachment and preoccupation as well as a hardship of regaining independence from the captor.

Student’s Understanding of the Main Psychological Processes

However, as a clarification, Berlin Syndrome is not the same as Stockholm Syndrome, which is another pertinent.Escape to freedom and psychological response to a hostage-situation- related syndrome. But there are slight differences concerning the two concepts.

Statistical Stockholm is where hostages start to get close to their captors and even develop firmness for them due to survival instincts. On the other hand the Berlin syndrome draws more attention to the psychological bond and an attachment between two people, where one is trapped either by consent or not.

The Role of Power and Control

The Berlin Syndrome is all about who is dominant and who is submissive. Captive individual experiences strong attraction towards the captor who uses the weak state of the individual to dominated him/her emotionally.

This process is best driven by the ego and possessiveness of the side which has the power and the need for acceptance on the part of the side which is enslaved. When one is a captive they have very little chance of escaping even when they realize they are in a toxic relationship.

Contributing Factors

Several causes can lead to the formation of the Berlin Syndrome. And one of the main components is the appropriateness of the captive by the captor both physically and personally since the captor uses psychological power over his captor.

At times, the captive may be having other social psychological related vices that make him/her easily fall prey into such enCHAINts. Also, things like loneliness, a simple fear of reprisals and long-standing brainwashing effects will only make the already existing bond stronger and prevent the captive from leaving easily.

The Significance and Impact

Despite the fact that it might seem that the Berlin Syndrome is an exclusive(datas) of various psychological horror movies and fictions, it can have rather dire implications on all the participants.

For the captive it can result in severe psychological and emotional distress, impaired mental health all the way to physical injury or even death. Staying with the captor erases one’s self autonomy, and this affects every area in the survivor’s life.

On the hand, the captor also may experience different psychological disorders with the appearance of the captive. Domination and lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, entitlement, and entitlement to use force and control of another people normally can be connected with personal anguish, impaired self-esteem, and attachment anxieties.

Recognizing and Breaking Free

If there is any chance that you are a victim of the Berlin Syndrome or if you know someone who suffers from it, he or she should seek help. For one to be emancipated from the hold of this relationship they have to acknowledge certain signs and actually get to know more about this relationship.

Counseling or therapy should be sought in an effort to be helped through some of the stringent relations that people go through emotionally. Helplines and peer support groups can also provide the information together with the social contacts for the people wish to leave abusive hooks.

Just do not forget that walking out of the Berlin Syndrome is a long process. It take a great deal of courage to do, besides one has to learn how to put self first. There should never be any doubt in asking for exactly what you need to have in order to succeed.

Conclusion

The Berlin Syndrome is an enthralling and enlightening psychological perspective which makes people idea about relationships and control. It is therefore important to become aware of the signs, to be able to understand their import and to get help in getting out of the grasp of the disease.

Movies or real stories like Berlin Syndrome should be a wake up call that requires healthy boundaries whenever people interact, whether in movies or real life; and make genuine friendship that will foster respect and true value in humanity that will lead to positive changes in one’s personality and behavior.