Internet Addiction, Hikikomori Syndrome, and the Prodromal Phase of Psychosis

Experts are also beginning to explore hikikomori's possible connection with autism, depression, social anxiety and agoraphobia. Not only does a hikikomori person lose many years of their life in isolation, the condition also affects their family.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between normal sadness and depression. We can start by looking at:

1. How long the emotions and behaviour changes have lasted – if we shows certain emotions like sadness or behaviour like being overly tired and often irritable for more than two weeks, it might be depression.

2. How strong the emotions are and whether they’re there all the time, or come and go.

3. How much the emotions and behaviour are affecting our work, relationships, physical health, enjoyment or everyday activities.

There are several steps we can take to cope with anxiety disorder symptoms.

1. Explore stress management: Learn ways to manage stress, such as through meditation.

2. Live a healthy lifestyle: Exercise regularly and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

3. Limit caffeine: Stop or limit how much caffeine we consume, including coffee, tea, cola and chocolate.

4. Join support groups: These groups encourage people with anxiety disorders to share their experiences and coping strategies.

4. Seek help: Get counseling and support if we experienced a traumatic or disturbing event.

Apart from social withdrawal, it has revealed that many hikikomori cases have a sedentary lifestyle, which may harm both their mental and physical health.

In this case, there are many frameworks that can be used to maintain the recovery process. This conceptual framework is composed by five recovery processes: Connectedness, Hope and optimism about the future, Identity, Meaning in life, and Empowerment.

Like internet addiction, Hikikomori is an emerging psychiatric diagnosis, and the definition and clinical features are still a matter of debate.

But one thing is obvious: the hikikomori are acutely aware of their own pain. They are likely to feel acute guilt for subjecting family to their quirks and, at the same time, report feeling suffocated by their shut-in ways.

As the researchers conclude:

‘The condition of hikikomori requires active intervention instead of the passive attitude stating that it is merely a lifestyle choice.’