Hikikomori

Hikikomori, Japanese for pulling inward or being confined, describes reclusive adolescents and adults who withdraw from social life and seek extreme isolation, and also the sociological phenomenon itself. Its key characteristics are marked avoidance of social situations, retreat into the home, often a single room, for at least six months, and significant impairment or distress. It has been a growing problem in Japan since the 1990s, with estimates of over a million people affected, and similar cases are reported elsewhere. It is not a formal psychiatric diagnosis in itself, but can occur alongside depression, anxiety or developmental disorders. Its causes are complex, combining personal vulnerabilities such as bullying or academic failure, family dynamics, and societal pressures around education and work. Support and treatment approaches are still being explored.