Extreme social withdrawal and isolation, typically involving someone who refuses to leave their room for months or years, avoiding all social contact. It's self-imposed hermit life in response to overwhelming social pressure or anxiety.
Japanese compound of 'hiki' (to pull/withdraw) + 'komori' (to seclude oneself). The term was coined by Japanese psychologist Tamaki Saito in the 1990s to describe a growing social phenomenon in Japan, though similar patterns exist worldwide. It reflects modern pressures of competitive society and social expectations.
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