Stories of loneliness: a look at the hikikomori phenomenon

Abstract

The phenomenon of hikikomori, young people who withdraw from the world to live in prolonged 
social isolation, represents a complex challenge that intertwines personal distress and the 
cultural pressures of modernity. Through the narration of two clinical cases and a comparison 
with profound Japanese cultural traditions, the article investigates the psychological, familial, 
and sociological roots of this condition. The stories of the protagonists reveal an interplay of 
dissociation and isolation, drawing a clear distinction from the concept of internet addiction. 
This phenomenon emerges as a silent protest against the unrealistic expectations of society. The 
article proposes an innovative and integrated interpretation, offering insights for clinical 
approaches that restore dignity to the authenticity and complexity of individual lived 
experience.