stockholm syndrome meaning - #7488

I’ve been reading a lot about Stockholm syndrome lately, and I’m starting to wonder if I might have experienced something similar without realizing it. A few months ago, I ended a long-term relationship that was emotionally and psychologically abusive. At the time, I couldn’t really understand why I stayed for as long as I did, despite the constant manipulation and emotional hurt. I was always told that I’d never find someone who would understand me the way they did, and eventually, I began to believe it. Now that I’ve been out of the relationship for a while, I’ve been thinking more about my feelings during that time. I remember having moments where I actually sympathized with my ex and felt that they were the only person who could understand me. I also found myself defending them to others, even when I knew deep down that their behavior was harmful. It’s really confusing to look back on it, and I’m wondering if Stockholm syndrome was a factor in why I stayed in that unhealthy relationship for so long. Can Stockholm syndrome develop even in situations where the person doesn’t feel physically trapped, but more emotionally and mentally? Is it possible for someone to experience Stockholm syndrome in a relationship where they didn’t feel like their life was in danger, but instead felt isolated and manipulated? How do you even know if you’ve experienced Stockholm syndrome, and how can you differentiate it from simply having strong feelings of loyalty or attachment? Is there any way to overcome the emotional attachment that comes with Stockholm syndrome, especially when it doesn’t seem to make sense? How do I work through these lingering feelings of attachment and guilt, and how can I rebuild my sense of self-worth after such an emotionally toxic relationship? I’ve heard that therapy can help, but I’m curious if there are specific types of therapy or treatment approaches that work best for something like Stockholm syndrome.