Italy faces rising hikikomori social withdrawal cases

Marco Crepaldi, psychologist and president of Hikikomori Italia, reports that cases of social withdrawal, known as hikikomori, are increasing in Italy. He estimates there are at least 200,000 cases nationwide, noting that this is a conservative figure because the phenomenon is easily hidden, particularly among those past school age.

Crepaldi stated that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated social disorders, leading to a rise in isolation. The association currently assists between 5,000 and 10,000 families through mutual aid groups designed to help parents rebuild relationships with their children and encourage them to leave isolation.

The situation is expected to worsen as the condition tends to become chronic; the longer an individual remains isolated, the more difficult it becomes to reintegrate. Adolescence remains the most critical phase for new cases. Crepaldi emphasized the need for prevention, community building, and a cultural shift to address the lack of current tools to combat the issue.