Review of hikikomori: A global health issue, identification and treatment

Abstract

In the early 2000s, Japanese society became aware of the social phenomenon of hikikomori or social withdrawal among Japanese youth. However, the hikikomori phenomenon was not a domestic Japanese social problem, but a global social and health issue or a global silent epidemic. A literature review was conducted on the global silent epidemic issue and identifying hikikomori and effective treatment. This paper will reveal how to identify hikikomori with biomarkers or determinants and treatments for hikikomori. Impact of COVID-19 on hikikomori was briefly investigated.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Effective treatments; Global silent epidemic; Hikikomori.