Hikikomori Syndrome, which started in Japan and spread all over the world, can frequently be seen in both teenagers and young adults due to the development of technology, lack of communication between parents and children, and social isolation brought on by the Covid pandemic.
IT IS MORE FREQUENTLY ENCOUNTERED IN MEN
Chief Physician, Deputy Dean, Department of Mental Health and Diseases Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Hülya Ensari explained Hikikomori Syndrome as follows:
“It is a process in which a person becomes introverted at his own will, breaks away from the social, cultural and social environment and locks himself at home, or even in his own room. This process can take at least 6 months. Of course, there are light, medium and heavy versions of this. The person can go out for a day occasionally, but spends most of his time in his room. “It is a condition we encounter more frequently in young people, adolescents, young adults and men.”
“ADDICTION TO THE DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT REINFORCES THE PROBLEM AND THE PERSON ENTERS A VIRTUE CYCLE”
Prof. stated that this syndrome has become more common with the development of technology. Dr. Hülya Ensari said, “With the widespread use of the Internet, Hikikomori Syndrome has begun to strengthen. There is also an increase in addictions such as internet addiction, social media addiction, digital game addiction and parallel digital gambling addiction in these people. We live in a technological age where the internet can be accessed at any time with the widespread use of mobile phones. The person whose dependence on the digital environment increases begins to live more isolated from social environments, moves away from society and becomes socially introverted. As his/her communication with the environment decreases, the individual who avoids responsibilities over time, whose concept of time gets confused, refuses to go to school, avoids social relations and the work environment may begin to become more dependent on the family both materially and spiritually; The process can lead to mental collapse. Therefore, the onset of technology addiction along with the process of locking oneself at home reinforces this process and the person enters a vicious circle. “This can cause the process to prolong and turn into other psychological problems,” he said.
“IF IT IS NOT TREATED, IT MAY RESULT IN SUICIDE”
“Hikikomori may appear as a primary syndrome on its own, or it often presents itself with a simultaneous internet addiction, social media addiction and digital game addiction brought on by social isolation,” said Ensari, adding: “These are not simple things after all, they are all under the umbrella of addiction.” Mental disorders are what we evaluate and they must be treated. If it is not treated in time, it can cause serious mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety disorders after a while. “When depression develops, it can cause serious depression that can lead to suicide, where the person feels reluctant, unhappy, cannot enjoy life, feels bad, loses self-confidence after a while, feels worthless,” he said.
FAMILIES SHOULD NOT NEGLECT
Prof. warns families against Hikokomori Syndrome in adolescents and young people. Dr. Ensari said, “If he isolates himself from social environments to the point of not leaving the room and eats and drinks in his own room; If a person has completely cut off communication with the environment and has reached a level where they cannot go to work or school, it is very important for families to be aware of this issue and get support from an expert. If left untreated, the process can lead to digital addiction, internet addiction, social media and gambling addiction, and depression. “We may face problems we do not want, such as suicide,” he said.
Stating that Hikikomori Syndrome should be distinguished from similar diseases, Ensari said, “The process of locking the person at home, staying in their room, or becoming introverted may be a symptom of depression or schizophrenia, or it may be a behavior of avoiding entering social environments, which we call anxiety disorder. Therefore, it is useful to distinguish them. When we evaluate all of them within this framework, we should not perceive the Hikikomori table as a simple, temporary period of adolescence. “It is very important for families to be on alert and to receive early mental health specialist support,” he said.
“IT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP COMMUNICATION CHANNELS OPEN WITH YOUTH”
Prof. also touched upon what families should do. Dr. Hülya Ensari concluded her words as follows:
“It is necessary to limit the time our young people spend in digital environments as much as possible. Of course, the way to do this is not through pressure and coercion. It is necessary to keep communication channels open here. It is important for them to communicate abundantly with young people, and especially to spend time on quality and effective communication. “It is very important to keep those communication channels open, to support the person’s socialization, and to limit access and use of electronic devices when necessary, before this task turns into addiction in the electronic age.”
(UAV)