WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN'T HIKIKOMORI (part 2) The hikikomori is not a social phobia As well as the hikikomori isolation is not caused by depression, it is not due either to some kind of social phobia, as can be for example Agoraphobia (the fear of open spaces, public places). It's undeniable that, after a long period of isolation, a person can develop a dependence on the computer, may experience a decline in mood or being afraid to leave the house, but this can lead us to say that internet addiction, depression and social phobias are the causes of hikikomori? Are these the reasons that led the boy or the girl to close in their own room? The answer is obviously "no". What is hikikomori? Hikikomori is a copying strategy activated in response to the excessive pressure of social realization typical of modern individualistic societies (this definition of hikikomori is exclusively the result of my studies and of my reflections about the phenomenon. It's not an official definition. It's not been derived from scientific studies, books or magazines). More in detail... The pressures of social realization (eg. "You have to take good grades", "you have to find a steady job", "you have to find a boy/girl", "you have to be sympathetic, athletic and attractive") are obviously more stronger in adolescence and early adult life, when there are a lot of expectations about the future. Boys and girls will find themselves to fill the virtual gap that is created between reality and expectations of parents, teachers and peers. When the gap gets too big they could experience feelings of helplessness, loss of control and failure. In turn, these negative feelings can lead to an attitude of rejection towards those that are the sources of these social expectations. And since these sources are, as mentioned, related, teachers, peers and, more generally society, the boy will tend spontaneously to stay away from them. Hence the refusal to speak with parents, going to school, to maintain friendly relations and to undertake any type of "social career". Hence the feelings of hatred towards the source of their pain. Hence the choice of the withdrawal, of the isolation. Thank you very much for you help!!