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Many of us from time to time want to be alone and not see anyone, even those closest to us. For most, a few hours of such self-isolation is enough, less often days. But everything is different with them: they do not leave the apartment for months and even years, gradually reducing social contacts with the real world to nothing. What is behind the phenomenon of hikikomori — voluntary hermits?
The term hikikomori was coined in the 1970s in Japan, when attention was first drawn to the growing number of young people who refuse to leave their parental home, isolate themselves from society for months and years, do not work and live on family money or unemployment benefits.
At the same time, many do not even communicate with relatives: hickeys simply close in the room, and compassionate household members leave food on their doorstep several times a day. The recluses make their way to the bathroom and toilet under the cover of night. Some, however, make short forays into the city to pay bills or buy groceries, but they do it at night.
Hikikomori spend their days (weeks, months, and years) watching anime and manga, playing computer games, reading, and social networking. Most are nocturnal.
The average age is 31 years, and only in the Land of the Rising Sun there are over 700 thousand of them. In addition, about 5 million are on the verge of «elimination» («hikikomori» is translated from Japanese as «eliminate», «break away», «leave»).
Such hermits most often grow up in wealthy families who are able to support their children for many years.
Among the hikki, the so-called first generation of hermits is distinguished: their “experience” of isolation is over 20 years, they are already over 40, and in Japanese society the question of what will happen when the parents of these hermits begin to die and they will have to integrate into society is being actively discussed. This problem has been dubbed the 2030 Challenge.
People with similar symptoms are found not only in Japan, but also in other countries. What makes young people take the path of seclusion?
Hickey: origin theories
The hikikomori phenomenon is usually considered from different points of view: cultural-historical, social, psychological, and even economic. Such hermits most often grow up in wealthy families who are able to support their children for many years. Young people themselves do not see the point in making efforts to get a job.
Many believe that the old system, under which it was possible to come to the company immediately after university and work there until retirement, climbing the career ladder step by step, has outlived its usefulness, and new landmarks have not appeared. In addition, parental softness and the inability to quickly recognize the problem are blamed for what is happening.
But, of course, all these are just external conditions that make it possible to become a hikikomori. The problem itself is much deeper: hikki experience social phobia and suffer from taijin kyofusho syndrome (the strongest fear of offending others and losing a good attitude towards oneself). This diagnosis is the third most common in psychiatric clinics in Japan. Which is not surprising: the issue of compliance with norms, rules and social standards is more acute here than anywhere else in the world.
Most often, retreat is chosen by young people who are diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder, autism spectrum disorders (high-functioning autism, Asperger’s syndrome and others) or schizoid personality disorder. In addition, hikikomori include those who are tired of conforming to the norms placed on them by family and society and wearing masks.
A person gradually breaks contact with a traumatic reality and, as a result, completely closes himself from society.
Withdrawal from the outside world does not occur immediately: the syndrome usually develops over months or years. A person gradually cuts off contacts with a traumatic reality and, as a result, completely closes himself from society. A return to the world does not happen often, although in Japan there are special centers created by the Hikikomori Rehabilitation Association: hermits are helped to socialize and communicate with others.
The hikki phenomenon is known not only in Japan: there are such people in South Korea, China and other countries with a high population density.
The European analogue of hikikomori is considered to be the “no-no” generation, NEET: people aged 16 to 34 who do not work and do not study (hence the name, Not in Employment, Education or Training). The term itself was coined in the UK, but most of these young people in the Mediterranean countries, Latin America, the Maghreb countries — wherever the unemployment rate is high. Like hickeys, NEET people live with their parents and do nothing, but they willingly go out.
Little is known about Russian hikikomori: there are such people, but they are not recorded.
Arina Lipkina, psychologist
My daughter lives in Japan, and her husband, a Japanese, spoke about how this phenomenon is perceived in the Land of the Rising Sun itself. Some hikikomori are not diagnosed with a mental illness or personality disorder — in which case it is customary to speak of «primary social care.» In general, they are considered a feature of the national culture here: people in Japan show a very high sensitivity to others and are very concerned about what others think of them.
Studies show that Japanese hikikomori try to avoid hardship, while French hikikomori avoid society because of terrorist attacks or even because they failed university exams. Researchers believe that the cause of the phenomenon in Japan is the crisis of identity and social obligations, which Eric Erickson (psychologist, author of the theory of stages of psychosocial development and the term «identity crisis.» — Approx. ed.) considered important elements of human development.
Russian hikikomori — as a rule, people suffering from mental disorders
A number of studies show that such people usually depend on the family, especially on the mother, which means that they could not find themselves, disconnect, become an autonomous person. The Internet and TV games are not considered the cause of this phenomenon, but they are gradually addicted to them in an attempt to kill time. The Japanese education system also has a negative effect: it is assumed that a student in the process of studying must prepare for work in a particular company, his life is predetermined for decades to come.
Of the 1000 respondents, 44% linked their status to the work situation (“I don’t fit into the team”, “I couldn’t find a job”), 23% admitted that they were diagnosed with a mental disorder, 11% answered that they had refused to walk since childhood to school. Many Japanese companies do not want to hire those who are trying to break out of this state.
Russian hikikomori are, as a rule, people suffering from mental disorders. This phenomenon occurs only in large cities, where it is possible to lead an alienated existence.
For the most part, we need constant contact with others to resolve even everyday issues. The culture of communication, involvement in the life of not only family members, but also neighbors, classmates, colleagues does not contribute to the mass spread of the phenomenon in Russia.
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