hikikomori

thumb|A young Japanese man living as a hikikomori in 2004 Hikikomori ( , ) are reclusive adolescents or adults who withdraw from social life, often seeking extreme degrees of isolation and confinement. The term refers to both the sociological phenomenon in general and the individuals belonging to this societal group, who have been described as "modern hermits". Hikikomori has been an increasing problem in Japan since the 1990s, with estimates suggesting that over a million individuals are affected. While the phenomenon is most associated with Japan, cases with similar conditions have also been reported in other parts of the world.

The key characteristics of hikikomori include a marked avoidance of social situations and interaction, a retreat into one's home (often a single room) for at least six months, and significant functional impairment or distress. While not a formal psychiatric diagnosis in itself, hikikomori can co-occur with various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety disorders, or developmental disorders. The etiology is complex and multifaceted, involving individual psychological vulnerabilities (such as a history of bullying or academic failure, and personality traits like introversion or high sensitivity to shame), familial dynamics (including parent-child relationships and communication issues), and broader societal pressures related to education, employment, and social expectations in contemporary societies.