I made a new blog. The theme of the blog is Hikikomori, not selective mutism.
Hikikomori - Social withdrawal in Japan
[What is Hikikomori?]
In a word, Hikikomori is a Japanese term that means social withdrawal in youth.
Hikikomori is a term that represents a condition. Not a clinical entity. The concept and diagnosis of Hikikiomori remains controversial. In a narrow sense, people with mental illnesses, especially schizophrenia and depression, are excluded from Hikikomori. In a broad sense, they are included.
Some say that over 1 million Japanese youth, especially young male, shut themselves in their houses or rooms. But, few Hikikomori people are reported in other countries. So, it is commonly believed that Hikikomori is a unique Japanese phenomenon.
Many Hikikomori people suffered from school refusal earlier in life. They continue refusing to go to school and become Hikikomori. Other Hikikomori people become Hikikomori after they quitted their jobs.
[selective mutism and Hikikomori]
Japanese literature on prognosis of selective mutism shows that some adolescents and adults who suffered (suffer) from selective mutism become Hikikomori. But little is known how many children with selective mutism become Hikikomori later.
Most children with selective mutism are comorbid with any anxiety disorder. The relationship to developmental disorders/delay is also pointed out. More or less, the same can be said for Hikikomori people. It is said that many Hikikomori people have any mental disorders, such as anxiety disorder, developmental disorder, depression, schizophrenia, etc.
