Have You Ever Heard Of Lima Syndrome?

The human mind is still a mystery to us. In fact, there are even many  phenomena that completely surprise us, such as Lima syndrome. This phenomenon is so complex that it surprises both kidnappers and victims.

Lima syndrome means kidnappers empathize with their victims. Usually we assume that these people have little respect for human life.

So how come some of them develop positive feelings and sympathy for their victims at some point? Keep reading if you want to learn more about this strange phenomenon.

Lima’s syndrome

Lima syndrome is a condition in which kidnappers develop an emotional bond with their victims. You could say it’s the other side of Stockholm syndrome.

Paradoxically, the kidnapper begins to empathize with his victim. At some point, he even begins to worry about his needs and well-being. This can manifest itself in behavior such as:

• The kidnapper deliberately tries not to hurt his victim.
• He gives his victim certain forms of freedom or even leaves him completely free.
• The kidnapper is concerned about his victim’s physical and emotional well-being.
• He is having conversations with his victim.
• Sometimes the kidnapper even shares personal information with his victim. For example childhood stories, goals and desires.
• He may also make promises to the victim. For example, she might say things like “I’ll protect you” or “nothing will happen to you.”
• In some cases, the kidnapper may even be attracted to his victim.

Causes of Lima’s Syndrome

By now you may be wondering what some of the causes of Lima syndrome may be. First of all , it might be good to point out that someone is not necessarily sick or crazy if he suffers from a certain syndrome.

Outside of the person’s inner state, certain circumstances can also cause a person to react in one way or another.

To understand Lima’s syndrome, you must first focus on the kidnapper’s inner world. In addition, however, you also have to look at the circumstances surrounding the kidnapping.

For example, it might be helpful to know a little more about the kidnapper’s psychological circumstances, as well as the circumstances leading up to the kidnapping:

• Perhaps the kidnapper is part of a group that forced him to commit the kidnapping.
• Maybe the kidnapper doesn’t agree with the way the kidnapping took place.
• It may even be that the kidnapper is in serious trouble that made him feel compelled to commit the kidnapping. For example, there may be family problems or serious financial problems or he may be suffering from a psychological disorder.
• The kidnapper does not need to have any experience with kidnapping people.
• Finally, the kidnapper may think he will not survive this situation.

The paradox of this syndrome

What is perhaps most surprising about this syndrome is that the kidnapper acts as if he did not take the victim hostage. This is the paradox of Lima syndrome.

It is also why the kidnapper tries his best to improve the victim ‘s circumstances. In fact, he even tries to avoid causing the victim any pain or discomfort.

If the victim is sick, he gives him medicine. If the victim is injured, the kidnapper will do his best to heal him. If the victim is hungry, the kidnapper will try to give him the best food within reach. The kidnapper sees himself as the victim’s caregiver.

In the worst case, the kidnapper may even fall in love with his victim. In this case, he will also try to seduce his victim. This is because he wants his victim to reciprocate his feelings.

What is the origin of this syndrome?

You may have suspected this already, but this syndrome got its name from a kidnapping that took place more than 20 years ago in Lima, Peru.

In 1996, a terrorist group took over the Japanese embassy in the Peruvian capital. As the days passed, the kidnappers began to build strong bonds with their victims. Surprisingly, the kidnappers started releasing them all.

Just a few final notes

So you could say that Lima’s syndrome is related to an intrinsic human tendency : to bond with other people (even in extreme circumstances such as a kidnapping).

It is very difficult to study this syndrome because it is practically impossible to simulate the circumstances of an abduction in a laboratory and control all the variables.

What we do know is that the manifestation of the syndrome depends on several variables. It also depends on the kidnapper, the situation surrounding the kidnapping and the victim.

Finally, this syndrome reminds us that people can be highly irrational and tend to act based on how they understand and interpret reality.