Hikikomori: a clinical and social challenge: here are the answers Italy must provide.

Initially described as a phenomenon affecting Japanese society, hikikomori, a term derived from the Japanese verbs "hiki" (to withdraw) and "komori" (to stay inside), is becoming an expression of unease throughout the West. This phenomenon manifests itself primarily among young people, as a prolonged and severe social withdrawal, often related to the problematic use of digital technologies, especially after Covid.

Hikikomori is defined by three main criteria: marked and continuous social isolation within one's home, lasting at least six months, and significant functional impairment. Although debate is still ongoing, at least 50% of hikikomori cases coexist with other mental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, mood disorders, social anxiety, psychotic disorders, and personality disorders.

There are several risk factors: pressure to achieve socially, but also stressful or traumatic events. Withdrawal can exacerbate psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, and if prolonged, it can be associated with an increased risk of physical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, as well as cognitive impairment.

Digital technologies allow hikikomori to maintain a "disembodied connection" with the outside world, reducing the perceived risk of direct human contact, but at the same time reinforcing isolation. The use of technology can become a dysfunctional refuge, a low-frustration "parallel world." However, digital technologies are not the cause, but rather a risk and maintenance factor, and if properly integrated, they can also become a therapeutic tool.