{"title":"Urban mental health, hikikomori, and modern-Type depression.","authors":"Takahiro A Kato, Umberto Volpe, Norman Sartorius","doi":"10.1007/s40211-025-00559-x","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urbanization and digitalization are reshaping the landscape of mental health, contributing to increased social isolation, stress, and the emergence of novel psychopathologies. This paper explores the impact of urbanization on mental health, with a particular focus on two contemporary phenomena: \"Hikikomori\" (severe social withdrawal) and \"Modern-Type Depression (MTD).\" These conditions highlight the need for psychiatrists to adopt innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that integrate sociocultural understanding and technological advancements. By utilizing digital tools such as metaverse and communication robots, mental healthcare can evolve to effectively address these emerging challenges. Moreover, following the COVID-19 pandemic, hikikomori may hold the potential to evolve from a pathological condition into a new lifestyle for human beings.</p>","PeriodicalId":44560,"journal":{"name":"NEUROPSYCHIATRIE","volume":" ","pages":"73-76"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9000,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"NEUROPSYCHIATRIE","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40211-025-00559-x","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2025/12/1 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"PSYCHIATRY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Urbanization and digitalization are reshaping the landscape of mental health, contributing to increased social isolation, stress, and the emergence of novel psychopathologies. This paper explores the impact of urbanization on mental health, with a particular focus on two contemporary phenomena: "Hikikomori" (severe social withdrawal) and "Modern-Type Depression (MTD)." These conditions highlight the need for psychiatrists to adopt innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that integrate sociocultural understanding and technological advancements. By utilizing digital tools such as metaverse and communication robots, mental healthcare can evolve to effectively address these emerging challenges. Moreover, following the COVID-19 pandemic, hikikomori may hold the potential to evolve from a pathological condition into a new lifestyle for human beings.
期刊介绍:
Die Zeitschrift ist das offizielle Organ der „Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik (ÖGPP)'', und wissenschaftliches Organ der Österreichischen Alzheimer Gesellschaft, der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie, der Österreichischen Schizophreniegesellschaft, und der pro mente austria - Österreichischer Dachverband der Vereine und Gesellschaften für psychische und soziale Gesundheit.Sie veröffentlicht Übersichten zu relevanten Themen des Fachs, Originalarbeiten, Kasuistiken sowie Briefe an die Herausgeber. Zudem wird auch Buchbesprechungen sowie Neuigkeiten aus den Bereichen Personalia, Standes- und Berufspolitik sowie Kongressankündigungen Raum gewidmet.Thematisch ist das Fach Psychiatrie und die Methoden der Psychotherapie in allen ihren Facetten vertreten. Die Zeitschrift richtet sich somit an alle Berufsgruppen, die sich mit Ursachen, Erscheinungsformen und Behandlungsmöglichkeiten von psychischen Störungen beschäftigen. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------· The professional and educational journal of the Austrian Society of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie, Psychotherapie und Psychosomatik; ÖGPP) and the Austrian Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (Österreichische Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie; ÖGKJP)· Overviews of all relevant topics pertaining to the discipline· Intended for all occupational groups committed to the causes and manifestations of, as well as therapy options for psychic disorders· All manuscripts principally pass through a double-blind peer review process involving at least two independent expertsThe official journal of the Austrian Societies of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics (ÖGPP) and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (ÖGKJP)The journal publishes overviews of relevant issues in the field, original work, case reports and letters to the editors. In addition, space is devoted to book reviews, news from the areas of personnel matters and professional policies, and conference announcements.Thematically, the discipline of psychiatry and the methods of psychotherapy are represented in all their facets. The journal is thus aimed at all professional groups committed to the causes and manifestations of, as well as therapy options for psychic disorders