Case report

Hikikomori syndrome in Italy and its link with autistic traits and internet gaming disorder

Bibliographic Data

ID15516783
AuthorsBarbara Carpita (0000-0002-2806-6736, University of Pisa), Chiara Bonelli (0000-0002-9781-0071, University of Pisa, corresponding author), Federico Giovannoni (0000-0003-1443-5040, University of Pisa), Francesca Parri (University of Pisa), Matteo Gambini (0000-0002-4689-5132, University of Pisa), Benedetta Nardi (0000-0001-5437-7178, University of Pisa), Giulia Amatori (0000-0002-2818-4134, University of Pisa), Ivan Mirko Cremone (University of Pisa), Stefano Pini (0000-0001-9092-9144, University of Pisa), Liliana Dell’Osso (0000-0002-9841-5030, University of Pisa)
Year2024
Volume15
Pages1378572-1378572
Publication date2024-05-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Psychiatry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1664-0640 • E-ISSN: 1664-0640
PublisherFrontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1378572
PMID38863612
OpenAlexW4399097687
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited59

During the last few decades, a growing field of literature is focusing on hikikomori, a phenomenon described as a form of pathological social withdrawal or social isolation that lasts for more than 6 months leading to significant functional impairment and/or distress. Despite initially considered a culture-bound syndrome, hikikomori syndrome later gained a wider recognition in different countries, ranging from an attempt to take refuge in an idealistic world, when society success' standards are not reached, to a maladaptive coping strategy complicating several psychiatric illnesses such as anxiety disorders, major depression, internet addiction, internet gaming disorder (IGD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this framework, difficulties in social interaction, in problem solving strategies and socio-emotional reciprocity, may lead to social withdrawal and hikikomori-like behaviors. In this work, we described two cases of patients where the presence of underlying autism spectrum may have represented a sign of vulnerability towards the development of a possible full-blown case of hikikomori with IGD

Addiction · Anxiety · Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Developmental psychology · Distress · Impulsivity · Psychiatry · Reciprocity (cultural anthropology · Social isolation · Social withdrawal · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Parental Involvement in Education · Psychology · Social Psychology · Youth Substance Use and School Attendance

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access