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Quaderni di Psicoterapia Cognitiva - Open Access

Social withdrawal and personality pathology

No. 48 (2021)

Facing and treating hikikomori (pathological social withdrawal)

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3280/qpc48-2021oa12137
Submitted
luglio 1, 2021
Published
2021-07-19

Abstract

Hikikomori is a form of pathological social withdrawal or social isolation whose essential feature is physical isolation in one’s home. The 2010 Japanese guidelines define that a person must meet the following criteria to be diagnosed with hikiikomori: a) marked social isolation in one’s home; b) duration of continuous social isolation of at least 6 months; c) significant functional impairment or distress associated with the social isolation. Advances in the conceptualization and treatment plan are discussed.

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