When asked what Helsinki syndrome is, fellow presenter James May responds, “I think it’s when you’re an idiot and get your syndromes mixed up.” Hammond is picked up on his mistake when Jeremy Clarkson asks him if he meant Stockholm syndrome instead, and Hammond replies that he did.
However since its outing in Die Hard, Helsinki syndrome has come into common usage.Įven popular petrol-head TV series Top Gear used Helsinki syndrome in one of its programmes in 2011, when TV presenter Richard Hammond described it as “when people are being kidnapped, when they’re released, miss their kidnappers”. Helsinki syndrome vs Stockholm syndrome – which is correct?Ĭlearly Stockholm syndrome is the original and correct term. Given how many rewrites, edits and viewings the film would have had before its release, it’s unlikely to be a mistake and is more likely to be a tongue-in-cheek parody of the US media or foreign policy. It’s also possible that it comes from a previous reference in left-wing magazine The Nation, whereby captives begin to question the gung-ho attitude of the US in a war or hostage situation. The fact that the producer in the clip is seen rolling his eyes in exasperation could refer to Harvey Johnson’s mistake in saying that Helsinki was in Sweden rather than Finland.Īlternatively, it could refer to Dr Hasseldorf confusing the name of the syndrome, in which case the producers of Die Hard were clearly aware that the wrong term was being used, and were poking fun at the US media and so-called experts! Helsinki waterfront / Bin im Garten (CC) The first is that it was a simple mistake. There are several theories about why they say Helsinki syndrome in Die Hard instead of Stockholm syndrome. Why do they say Helsinki syndrome in Die Hard?
Stockholm syndrome has been a recognised syndrome since the 1970s, when a bank raid in Sweden’s capital Stockholm went wrong.įour of the bank’s employees were held hostage in the bank’s vaults for six days, and when the police managed to free them they were surprised at how much sympathy the hostages felt with their captors.Įver since, the term has been used to identify a recognised coping measure whereby abused people feel sympathy with, and sometimes even defend, their abusers to help them deal with their situation.įor the full low-down on Stockholm syndrome, what is means and how common it is, read our post called ‘What is Stockholm syndrome’? It’s a psychological response to a stressful situation whereby the hostages begin to identify with their captors and their aims. Stockholm syndrome is when captives in a hostage situation begin to develop feelings of sympathy for their captors.
To find out all about Helsinki syndrome, first of all we need to look at what Stockholm syndrome is. What is the difference between Helsinki syndrome and Stockholm syndrome? Read on to find out what it is and why it’s called Helsinki syndrome.
You’ve probably heard of Stockholm syndrome – and if not, check out our comprehensive post on the subject! But have you ever heard of Helsinki syndrome? Pedro Szekely (CC)Īnd if you have, do you know how it differs from Stockholm syndrome and where the term came from? What is Helsinki syndrome? by Amanda Tomlin