The Addiction Nobody Realizes They Have - Alone Time

Alone time can be healthy… but what happens when it quietly turns into emotional avoidance or social withdrawal? In this video, we explore the hidden psychology behind why being alone can start to feel too comfortable — and when “me time” may actually be keeping you stuck. We’ll cover the signs that alone time is becoming a coping mechanism, why isolation can feel safe to the brain, and how patterns like hikikomori (extreme social withdrawal) develop. If you’ve been spending more time alone than usual, this may help you understand what’s really happening beneath the surface. Further readings: Kato, T. A., Kanba, S., & Teo, A. R. (2018). Hikikomori: Experience in Japan and international relevance. World Psychiatry, 17(1), 105–106. Teo, A. R., & Gaw, A. C. (2010). Hikikomori, a Japanese culture-bound syndrome of social withdrawal? A proposal for DSM-5. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 198(6), 444–449. Tajan, N. (2015). Social withdrawal and psychiatry: A comprehensive review of hikikomori. Neuropsychiatrie de l’Enfance et de l’Adolescence, 63(5), 324–331. Suggested video from our channel: How to Enjoy Being Alone: https://youtu.be/zVqmLE_yttM?si=o5hDQ39yoFk6PVX8 You can be alone but not lonely. But if you feel lonely, then it's time to change.