A 12-month study of the hikikomori syndrome of social withdrawal: Clinical characterization and different subtypes proposal

Ángeles Malagón-Amor, Luis Miguel Martín-López, David Córcoles, Anna González, Magda Bellsolà, Alan R. Teo, Víctor Pérez, Antoni Bulbena, Daniel Bergé

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Social withdrawal is a new mental health problem increasingly common, present in different cultures, whose psychopathology and treatment is not yet established. This study aims to determine the socio-demographic and clinical features and possible clinical subtypes that predict the 12-month outcomes of cases with hikikomori syndrome, a severe form of social withdrawal. Socio-demographic and clinical data at baseline were analysed as well as data obtained for 12 months after at-home treatment in 190 cases. The inclusion criteria were: spending all time at home, avoiding social situations and relationships, significant deterioration due to social isolation, with a minimum duration of 6 months. Six major diagnostic groups were identified: affective, anxiety, psychotic, drug use, personality and other Axis I disorders. The anxiety-affective subgroup demonstrated lower clinical severity, but worse evolution. Less than half of the cases were available for medical follow-up at 12-months. Subjects undergoing intensive treatment had a higher medical follow-up rate and better social networks at 12-months. Therefore, our findings provide data to reach consensus on the specific characteristics of social isolation hikikomori syndrome. The analysis demonstrated the fragility and tendency to relapse and have disengagement, particularly relevant in the anxiety-affective subgroup, suggesting that intensive treatments are more effective.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1039-1046
Number of pages8
JournalPsychiatry Research
Volume270
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2018

Keywords

  • Comorbidity
  • Differential diagnosis
  • Home treatment
  • Long-term treatment
  • Social isolation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health
  • Biological Psychiatry

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