Barış Özbay discusses three year social isolation in Hatay

Barış Özbay, a 26-year-old man from Hatay, Turkey, has spoken about his three-year period of extreme social withdrawal, a condition often referred to in psychiatry as “hikikomori.” During a recent appearance on a YouTube channel, Özbay explained that his isolation began during his university years due to feelings of loneliness and has since become a permanent lifestyle.

Özbay stated that he avoids leaving his home to escape the responsibilities associated with adulthood, describing himself as feeling like a child trapped in an adult body. He clarified that his condition was not caused by the February 6 earthquakes, noting that his withdrawal began well before the seismic events.

His physical health has reportedly declined during this period. Özbay mentioned suffering from swollen and painful joints and noted that he has not sought medical treatment for several years. His mother reported that the family faces significant financial difficulties as she manages the household and expenses alone.