"Hikikomori" Cases on the Rise: Psychiatrists|日本百萬名"繭居族" 台灣個案增多

"Hikikomori" is a Japanese term, describing the state and the sufferers of social isolation.has been defined by the Japanese health authorities as refusing to leave his or her home or avoid social interaction for 6 months or longer. Although Taiwan doesn't have any official statistics on this condition, doctors say the number is growing.


A 20-year-old is cocooned in his own world as he stares at his computer. In recent years, the phenomenon of "hikikomori" has become more prevalent. Sufferers start by locking up their windows and doors. In the beginning, they might still go out to eat. Later on, they stop leaving their homes. In some cases, family members just leave meals outside their doors. Messages are passed through slips of paper instead of direct interaction. Hikikomori occurs when reclusive people withdraw from social life and seek an extreme degree of isolation and confinement. They don't have friends, and don't interact with anyone.

We have seen from our pediatric outpatient services that the number of school-age children who refuse to go to school is rising. We ask parents to bring their children for assessments.

Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare defines hikikomori as a condition in which the affected individuals isolate themselves from society in their homes for a period exceeding six months. They don't work, go to school or have social interactions. Japan has 400,000 to one million hikikomori sufferers, and 70 percent are male and mostly under the age of 30. Taiwan does not yet have a clear definition of the condition, nor are there any statistics. However, hospitals and schools have reported that the number of children and adolescents who refuse to go to school is rising, as well as the number of people who refuse to leave their homes.

From the preliminary assessments at outpatient services, we can see the number of people refusing to go to school is rising.

Many parents are helpless, and they don't know where to get help. Some children are Internet addicts, or have interpersonal issues.

The government presently does not offer any assistance for hikikomori. However, the government and schools should have a response for children who refuse to go to school. Meanwhile, family members are advised to seek psychiatric help for hikikomori sufferers.