When social withdrawal in adolescence becomes extreme: the “hikikomori” phenomenon in Italy
“Hikikomori syndrome,” or extreme social withdrawal, determines a refusal to go to school or work where one’s life style is centred around the home. In Japan hikikomoris, also called “family hermits” or “bedroom hermits,” were first identified in the late seventies. In the West (USA, France, UK, S...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Published: |
Medical Communications Sp. z o.o.
2015-10-01
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Series: | Psychiatria i Psychologia Kliniczna |
Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://www.psychiatria.com.pl/index.php/wydawnictwa/2015-vol-15-no-3/when-social-withdrawal-in-adolescence-becomes-extreme-the-hikikomori-phenomenon-in-italy?aid=544 |
Summary: | “Hikikomori syndrome,” or extreme social withdrawal, determines a refusal to go to school or work where one’s life style
is centred around the home. In Japan hikikomoris, also called “family hermits” or “bedroom hermits,” were first identified
in the late seventies. In the West (USA, France, UK, Spain, Italy) clinical psychologists are treating an increasing number
of adolescents and young hikikomoris. Over the last few years, the Unità Funzionale Salute Mentale Infanzia Adolescenza
(UFSMIA) in Arezzo has received a number of requests for treating young people who present strong similarities with
hikikomoris as well as teenagers in early adolescence “on their way to social withdrawal.” The signs of the syndrome are largely
similar to the Japanese description, with some differences linked to the Italian cultural context. As to treatment, a single
clinical approach (e.g. individual or family psychotherapy) has not given the expected results. By combining different
approaches it may be possible to create a network able to stimulate the subject’s resources and those of his or her family.
Findings reveal the need to develop more in depth clinical knowledge on this social withdrawal syndrome and create new
protocols which will be useful for future psychological and psychotherapeutic programmes. |
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ISSN: | 1644-6313 2451-0645 |