S. once casually mentioned that she thought she was suffering from Stockholm Syndrome because she was beginning to have feelings of attachment and loyalty to her boss.

I laughed but later became curious--was she really experiencing something akin to Stockholm Syndrome? More importantly, could I be suffering as well?

I did some research. (Read: typed the phrase "Stockholm Syndrome" into Google, misspelled it, and typed it again).

Let’s review the typical circumstances and characteristics of Stockholm Syndrome as found on Counsellingresource.com.

Perceived Threat to One’s Physical/Psychological Survival
My boss tells me, on a fairly regular basis, that I'm going to be fired. This definitely fucks with my head a little bit even though he is "joking."

The “Small Kindness” Perception
My bonus was so small as to not even begin to pay off my holiday credit card charges, but I said “Thank you,” and told my boss “I know you really had to fight for this.” And I MEANT IT. Even more disturbing: He may actually have really had to fight for it. Also, once my boss said “CB, you’re doing a really good job,” and I was so pleased that I almost liked my job for a week.

Isolation from Perspectives Other Than Those of the Captor
Like employees everywhere, I am technically not allowed to read the internet (haha) and am discouraged from calling or e-mailing those outside the company unless it is strictly work-related.

A Daily Preoccupation With “Trouble”: To survive, “trouble” is to be avoided at all costs.
I have recopied a hundred sets of a document because there was a smudge on one corner of one page.
I have gotten as far as the elevator in my office building, then turned around and gone back to Starbucks because I have forgotten sugar packets.
I have very seriously considered baking cupcakes out of a fear of going to work on Monday after calling in sick on Friday. Re-Boyfriend had to physically remove the wooden spoon from my hand.


Interesting.

Fortunately, I am safe since I still have no real loyalty to my boss.