title: General condition of hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal) in Japan: psychiatric diagnosis and outcome in mental health welfare centres.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The issue of hikikomori (prolonged social withdrawal) among Japanese youth has attracted attention from international experts. In previous research, the unique cultural and social factors of Japanese society have been the focus; however, in order to resolve the problem of hikikomori, individual mental health problems must be included.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We examined the psychiatric background of individuals with hikikomori.
  
  
  METHODS
  We recruited 337 individuals with hikikomori; 183 subjects who utilized the centres were designated as the help-seeking group. We examined the multi-axial psychiatric diagnosis based on the DSM-IV-TR, treatment policies and treatment outcomes. We also examined 154 subjects who did not utilize the centers (non-help-seeking group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the subjects in the utilization group were classified into one of the diagnostic categories. Forty-nine (33.3%) subjects were diagnosed with schizophrenia, mood disorders or anxiety disorders, and this group needed pharmacotherapy. Other subjects were diagnosed with personality disorders or pervasive developmental disorders, and they mainly needed psycho-social support. The Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scores of the non-help-seeking group were significantly lower than the GAF scores of those who used treatments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most hikikomori cases can be diagnosed using current diagnostic criteria. Individuals with hikikomori are much worse if they do not seek help.
authors.affiliation: Yamanashi Prefectural Mental Health Welfare Centre, Yamanashi, Japan.
authors.forename: Naoji
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: Motohiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Yasukazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuroda
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kiyota
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kitabata
authors.forename: Mie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurosawa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003155:Community Mental Health Centers; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs