Taijin kyofusho

Taijin Kyōfushō (Japanese対 人 恐怖症), in short: TKS for Taijin Kyofusho symptom, is a Japanese and Korean culture -bound syndrome ( Mental disorder ).

The term Taijin Kyōfushō literally means the symptom ( shō ) a phobia ( Kyofu ) prior interpersonal relationships ( Taijin ). Masatake Morita (森田 正 马, erroneously also Sino- Japanese as Shoma Morita ) described this state as a vicious circle of self- confrontation and accusations of persons with hypochondriac temperament.

In the West Taijin Kyōfushō is usually described as a form of anxiety disorder (social phobia), in the fear of the victims and avoid social contacts. However Taijin Kyōfushō is not afraid to get yourself embarrassed or uncomfortable to be judged by others - from a social awkwardness out (like most in the West) - but the fear to offend or hurt others. The focus is therefore on preventing harm to others, not of himself

In the official Japanese diagnostic system Taijin Kyōfushō is divided into the following categories:

• Jikoshisen - Kyofu: the phobia of eye contact
• Jikoshu - Kyofu: to possess the phobia unpleasant body odor ( Olfactory Reference Syndrome)
• Sekimen - Kyofu: the phobia of blushing ( erythrophobia )
• Shubo - Kyofu: the phobia of a disfigured body, similar to the BDD

The in Western culture hardly used Taijin Kyōfushō is not described in the DSM IV, but this is controversial, as the symptom occurs occasionally also in Western patients.

Treatment

The Japanese standard treatment for Taijin Kyōfushō is that of Masatake Morita in the 1910s developed (also for nervousness ) Morita therapy. The cure originally envisaged isolation, enforced bed rest, keeping a diary, physical work and lectures on the importance of self-acceptance and a positive attitude. Since the 1930s, the treatment is done on an outpatient basis and in group therapy.