Stockholm syndrome is a psychological response to being held captive. People with Stockholm syndrome form a psychological connection with their captors and begin sympathizing with them. In addition to the original kidnapper-hostage situation, Stockholm syndrome now includes other types of trauma in which there’s a bond between the abuser and the person being abused. Many medical professionals consider the victim’s positive feelings toward their abuser a psychological response — a coping mechanism — that they use to survive the days, weeks or even years of trauma or abuse.

People who have Stockholm syndrome have:
-Positive feelings toward the captors or abusers
-Sympathy for their captors’ beliefs and behaviors
-Negative feelings toward police or other authority figures

Other symptoms are similar to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and include:
-Flashbacks
-Feeling distrustful, irritated, jittery or anxious
-Can’t relax or enjoy things that you previously enjoyed
-Trouble concentrating

The original Beauty of Beauty and the Beast seems to suffer from Stockholm syndrome. She developed feelings for the Beast under duress, alone and unsupported, rather than through genuine connection. However, as the story has been altered for modern audiences, elements of Stockholm syndrome have all but vanished.