Hikikomori: young people permanently locked in their room

Today we talk about Hikikomori Syndrome, a rare set of symptoms of seclusion and loneliness.

If a person voluntarily secludes himself at home and has no work, academic or social activity for at least six months he may be suffering from the Hikikomori Syndrome.

What is Hikikomori Syndrome?

The term Hikikomori was coined by the psychiatrist Tamaki Saitoin the year 2000 and means to withdraw, to be secluded. It is defined as a voluntary form of social isolation or self-reclusion, due to both personal and social factors. It affects mainly young adolescents already sensitive, shy, introverted, with few friendships and with a perception of the outside world as something violent that constantly assaults them. To all these precedents can be added poor relationships within the family. There is a higher incidence in males.

Their life takes place in a room from which they do not leave, usually taking refuge in a virtual worldsurrounded by video game consoles and the Internet, although recent studies have shown that only 10% of those suffering from this pathology use the Internet to interact with other people.

Social isolation

This process of isolation is gradual and begins when they begin to seclude themselves in their room for longer and longer periods of time, as if absorbed by the Internet, they stop calling and meeting with their few friends and begin to neglect their studies. It is here where this kind of social suicide.

They do everything without leaving home, even altering their daily rhythms: they sleep during the dayThey sleep during the day, eat in the afternoon and spend the night playing video games or watching television. They also neglect their hygiene and do not even communicate with their families. Some of them frighten their parents and behave aggressively; others are overwhelmed by sadness, obsession, anxiety and depression triggered by confinement, in some cases leading to suicide.

Although this phenomenon comes from Japan and is associated with the demanding, competitive and individualistic Japanese culture, it has gradually spread like a pandemic to the rest of the world, although with different characteristics depending on each society. In Spain, this syndrome, also known as ''closed door syndrome'', has already accumulated more than 200 cases in recent years.. In Japan, those affected number in the millions.

The reason for not leaving the house is due to the desire to be alone and a feeling of apathy towards the outside world combined with a fear of leaving their protective environment, their little bubble of safety.

Types of Hikikomori

While all cases of Hikikomori have isolation in common, not all carry it out in the same way or to the same degree. For example, the junhikikikomori or pre-hikikikomori goes out from time to time or attends school or college, but avoids any kind of social interaction.

The Social Hikikomoriwho rejects work and studies, maintains some social relationships, even if it is through the Internet. On the other hand, the Tachisukumi-gata presents a very marked social phobia and feels paralyzed by fear.

Finally, there is the case ofl Netogehaijinliterally translated as ''computer zombie'', who are totally reclusive people who spend every waking hour of the day using the computer or other virtual media available to them.

Causes of Hikikomori

It seems impossible that a young person would be able to confine himself for months or even years within four walls without wanting to have any kind of relationship with the world, doesn't it?

The causes that are believed to trigger this disorder are currently mere hypotheses. Some think it is the technology and the virtual world in which young people live surrounded by, losing contact with reality.

Others, however, point to family factors (excessive pressure from parents for their child to succeed in life and poor communication in the family because of the) and socioeconomic factors. socioeconomicThese are social in terms of society's pressure to conform and uniformity and rejection of what is different (this is very marked in Japanese society), and economic in terms of parents' work schedules, which prevent them from spending time with their children and make it impossible for them to have adequate family communication.

However, to look for a single cause for such a social phenomenon would be a mistake, as it is most likely multidetermined.

Symptoms of Hikikomori

The main symptoms that could herald isolation are:

• Refusal to attend school due in many instances to bullying.

• Total loss of friends or love disappointment

• Poor basic social skills

• Low self-esteem

• Depressive personality

• Excessive dependence on family relationships

• Insomnia or altered daily rhythms (sleep during the day and remain active at night)

• Family pressure to fulfill their role in society (study, look for a job) and to fulfill the expectations or plans their parents have for them.

• Little or no frustration tolerance.

• Etc.

Effects of Hikikomori on people

Voluntary confinement for months or years can have significant health effects, both physical and mental.

A physical level the body suffers from the effects of not doing any physical exercise or eating a balanced diet such as anemia, fragile joints, sores, sores from lying down too much sores from lying still for too long, etc.

A psychological levelthe absence of contact can cause the young person to lose almost all of his or her social social skills social skills to relate to their peers, while experiencing constant feelings of insecurity and guilt. insecurity and guiltwhich reinforces their behavior of staying locked up.

Treatment for Hikikomori

No standard treatment has yet been established to address this problem, due to the relatively new nature of the disorder and the clash between Eastern and Western approaches.

In Japan, where this social disorder originated, it is advocated that the affected person should come out of his isolation by his own means and in a progressive way, without pressuring him and trying to make him come to his senses. In contrast, in Western countries, experts recommend a firmer stance and attacking the problem at its root, forcing the young Hikikomori to leave his room.

In the West more specifically, we can point out two major approaches as far as therapies are concerned:

1. The medical-psychiatric method

This type of treatment treats the problem as a mental or behavioral disorder that requires recovery in hospital and the use of drugs. Its approach focuses on reorganizing the family relationship with the patient, encouraging communication strategies, so that parents are also involved in the therapy. When the young person is sufficiently recovered to attend the clinic by his own means, psychotherapy sessions are started.

2. The psychosocial method

This method stresses the need for psychological support to help the Hikikomori victim out of his or her confinement. It usually involves taking the young adolescent away from home and then placing him or her in a community with other boys and girls who have the same problems, in order to encourage coexistence, human contact, relearning social and communication skills, etc. All this through activities that are attractive to them and that they can share as a group. It seems that self-help groups have become a key element in achieving the social reintegration of those affected.

Differential diagnosis of Hikikomori

Due to its wide symptomatology, little defined at present, this disorder can often be confused with others of the Agoraphobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder type, Diogenes Diogenes Syndromeetc. To give an example, Hikikomori differs from agoraphobia in that, within their protected environment, they can lead a normalized life. They can receive visitors, make phone calls, etc. An agoraphobic isolates himself out of fear, although he wishes to be able to be part of society and go outside, while the hikikomori rejects that option and voluntarily secludes himself.

Research conducted by (2002) suggests that compulsive behaviors typical of OCD or other behaviors typical of the aforementioned disorders are nothing more than side effects of Hikikomori. Therefore, he suggests that the differential diagnosis of Hikikomori versus depression, OCD, schizophrenia or other obsessive disorders together with early detection are essential for the early recovery of the person, since those affected by Hikikomori do not suffer from a disorder per se. per se. In most cases their behavior can be logically explained by the life they lead, the impact on them of society, the culture in which they are immersed and their family and personal environment. They are normal people in a highly conflictive situation

The syndrome arrives in Spain

In a 2016 article, psychologist Jonathan García-Allen echoed the increase of cases registered in Spain. Thus, it seems that this disorder may be starting to become a global phenomenon.

"Increasing cases of Hikikomori in Spain".

Documentary on Hikikomori

This documentary may help you better understand the Hikikomori phenomenon.