Filip Arnberg is a psychologist and researcher on mental trauma at Uppsala University.
He emphasizes that one still does not know what has happened in the specific case, but says that there is some knowledge about how one is affected by living in isolation based on previous cases.
- It will probably be a different experience of what the world is for something, who you can trust and how things work.
Is there a foundation to stand on
The boy was taken out of school by his mother in seventh grade.
Since then, he must have been shielded from the outside world.
How is being isolated for a long time affected by the development of social and mental abilities?
- If you have not met anyone since birth, this is very much affected.
But if you have established basic social and emotional abilities during the first 10-12 years, they are there.
Does he have a certain foundation to stand on?
- I would think so.
Psychological shackles
According to the man's relative, he has not been locked up, but has had the opportunity to leave home.
Despite this, he has not alerted about his situation or called for help.
- Many people tend to be amazed by that.
But if you are held in a kind of captivity, you can become so psychologically affected that it becomes impossible to get out of there.
You do not need to have a padlock on the door, the psychological shackles can be quite strong, says Filip Arnberg.
Hear more in the clip above.