What is Hikikomori Syndrome?

This tale of hikikomori began in the country of Japan. These are the stories inside the closed doors and locked rooms of isolation, far away from the outside world. Let’s dive into the ideas of loneliness and social withdrawal, exploring the cultural and worldwide boundaries of this syndrome.

What is Hikikomori?

How often do you like to stay secluded, away from the worries of the world? Your answer can vary depending on the mood and situation. It is very normal to withdraw from social interactions or experience a want to not talk to your friends or family for a while. These periods can help you remain calm and relieve frustrations. But what if this state becomes extremely prolonged, and you are intentionally stuck in your room, avoiding all situations and conversations? This is the experience of a large number of individuals residing in Japan.

The verbs hiki, which means “to withdraw,” and komori, which means “to be outside,” are the roots of the word hikikomori. Hikikomori syndrome is a condition in which a person avoids social situations to the extent of isolating themselves at home for a minimum of six months without engaging with others. The term “hikikomori” can also be used to describe an individual who is in this persistent social avoidance state.

The Origin and Present Status

In a book written by Saito Tamaki in the 1990s, hikikomori was officially defined and acknowledged in Japan. In 2010, a study carried out in Japan found that 1.2% of Japanese people (those in the age range of 20 to 49) reported having experienced hikikomori. The designation of hikikomori as a diagnosed psychiatric condition or as a cultural syndrome has been a topic of debate among psychologists. Although having its beginnings in Japan, hikikomori has now been documented in a wide range of nations with diverse cultures, including the US, Spain, Canada, South Korea, Nigeria, India, and so on.

How to identify the syndrome?

When a person exhibits extreme social avoidance habits that cause suffering and dysfunction for at least six months, it is labelled as hikikomori. These actions include retreating from social interaction and refusing to leave the house, go to work, or go to school. Hikikomori patients are categorized by some psychologists based on how frequently they leave their homes for non-social activities like grocery shopping. According to this model, individuals with mild instances typically leave the house two or three times a week, those with moderate cases do so once a week, and those with severe cases hardly ever leave their room. Pre-hikikomori is another term used by psychologists to describe a condition in which a person has symptoms for a maximum of three months.

Comorbidity

Hikikomori frequently happens along with a documented mental disease, even though it is not currently recognized as a mental disorder. Research estimating the proportion of hikikomori cases that also involve mental illness ranges from 54 to 98 per cent. The disorders that can occur along with hikikomori involve Mood disorders, specifically depression, personality disorders, and even psychotic disorders.

Primary hikikomori is the term used to describe the condition in the absence of mental disease. Secondary hikikomori is the term used to describe the syndrome when it coexists with a mental disease.

The reasons of social death

The causes of the hikikomori syndrome have not been identified. But, as we know about its origination in Japan, understanding the intricacies of Japanese culture, helps us to find out about the potential triggers of the condition. Some researchers claim that the economic conditions of Japan in the 90s prevented many youngsters from gaining achievements.

This could have resulted in experiencing feelings of shame. As societal expectations and validation play a significant role in the Japanese culture, this could also be a possible cause. According to research, stressful events involving shame, guilt and defeat—like failing significant examinations or not landing a dream job—are frequently listed as triggers in cultures all over the world. Some studies report that stressful events by themselves can result in socially avoidant behaviour. Correlation is also found with traumatic experiences and problematic family settings.

Read More: The Importance of Socialization In Influencing Human Behaviour

Hikikomori’s experiences

The patient was a Japanese boy, 14, who claimed he didn’t want to go to school. During elementary school, he never experienced any major issues or challenges. However, during the final quarter of his first year of middle school, he abruptly stopped attending school without any apparent reason. He also gave up on trying to learn anything. His parents started to worry and went for a mental health assessment.

Hiroki Takimoto attempted to isolate himself from the outside world for seven years during which he was in the best of health, reading old books, playing video games, and eating. He hardly left his bedroom throughout this time. The professional writer, who is now 42 years old and has recovered from a condition known in Japan as “hikikomori,” or “shut-ins,” spoke about his severe desperation as he quit society and a regular existence between the ages of 18 and 25.

Read More: What is social depression?

Treatment

The treatment mostly involves psychotherapy. The main aim of treatment is to make the hikikomori more socially involved, pulling them out of their withdrawal so that they can resume normal social functioning. Assisting individuals in discovering methods to utilize their skills and talents in a way acceptable in society can also be a part of recovery. The people can join community groups or mental health centres. Therapy involves family and group counselling sessions as well.

The most important step is recognizing the condition’s presence, which needs to be and can be, resolved. This will be achieved by increasing awareness and reducing any stigma related to it.