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Many foreigners who are new to Japan will be perplexed by odd or weird Japanese behavior. They will then mistakenly miscategorize it as cultural, when it's can be a bit deeper, and actually a mental disorder or various types of extreme anxiety problems.
1) Interpersonal Anxiety Disorder In Japan
Japanese are afflicted with this at much higher levels than other countries. It is believed to affect 20% or more of the Japanese population. Which is staggering HIGH. Some argue it's cultural, while others think there is a genetic link (possibly higher inbreeding levels). This mental disorder is sometimes called Taijin Kyofusho in Japan, however many experts believe this is just part of a wider group of Social Anxiety Disorders in Japan.
Japanese with such mental disorders will tend to panic excessively, act cowardly, be extremely insecure, and behave very oddly in comparison to normal people or common behavior compared to international standards.
Such Japanese can have unreasonable or illogical fears about meeting new people, going to a new places, being naked, about sexual performance, fear of being teased or criticized, fear of being singled out for mistakes, etc... The key here is people who PANIC excessively and beyond normal levels, due to insecurities and phobias.
2) Japanese Acting Oddly & Panicking
For foreigners, what will usually happen, is you will be perplexed or confused by how the Japanese person is behaving. Things will see normal, then they run away or stop communicating. What you might not know is they suffered a panic attack OR their insecurities and doubts built up to a critical peak, that they decided to run away or avoid the situation.
Japanese with mental anxiety disorders will constantly be seeking to AVOID and RUN AWAY from any new or different situations and relationships.
A) Panic & Anxiety Attack Symptoms
Sometimes very physically accute, and something you might visually notice. Sweating, rapid eye movement, trouble breathing, etc.... HOWEVER, they can be more low level, where you (the normal or foreign person) don't notice any physical symptoms.
B) Low Level Panic or Anxiety Attacks
This is where the person might hold their body very rigidly, act awkward or clumsily, etc... They are not obviously panicking, but acting very WEIRD, oddly, strangely, or cowardly.
The Japanese person can look normal on the OUTSIDE, BUT be in extreme psychological discomfort or state of confusion.
C) Unknowingly Triggering Panic
When a person suffers from excessive anxiety, fears, or insecurities then certain words (verbal or written) can trigger them. It's because they visualize the situation in their mind, often irrationally picturing the worse scenario, and then panic or feel uncomfortable over it.
Say the Japanese person is afraid of new people and new places. If you the foreigner say or type, "Meet me Tuesday at Gotanda.", some Japanese can mentally flip out. In her mind, she has all these weird fears and images about being raped, murdered, her weight, being seen in public with you, her clothes, her teeth, her breath, her breast size, etc... Basically, extreme over the top mental issues, versus realizing normal people meet and talk.
3) What To Do About It?
There isn't a lot you can do for Japanese suffering from abnormal mental disorders. If their problem is only slight, and not of the more extreme varieties, you can try to help calm them down. Realize that a lot of Japanese suffer from this abnormality, and adjust how you interact with them. Think of how you would treat a panicking little mouse or child.
A child can be afraid of being outside or going to a new playground, so take the adult role of reassuring and comforting them. This can help build the child's self confidence, and can work with people affected with excessive anxiety disorders too.
Realize that since a lot of Japanese have these odd insecurities and irrational fears, just move on and find one that doesn't. Look for Japanese that act more normal or show they can be brave.
1) Interpersonal Anxiety Disorder In Japan
Japanese are afflicted with this at much higher levels than other countries. It is believed to affect 20% or more of the Japanese population. Which is staggering HIGH. Some argue it's cultural, while others think there is a genetic link (possibly higher inbreeding levels). This mental disorder is sometimes called Taijin Kyofusho in Japan, however many experts believe this is just part of a wider group of Social Anxiety Disorders in Japan.
Japanese with such mental disorders will tend to panic excessively, act cowardly, be extremely insecure, and behave very oddly in comparison to normal people or common behavior compared to international standards.
Such Japanese can have unreasonable or illogical fears about meeting new people, going to a new places, being naked, about sexual performance, fear of being teased or criticized, fear of being singled out for mistakes, etc... The key here is people who PANIC excessively and beyond normal levels, due to insecurities and phobias.
2) Japanese Acting Oddly & Panicking
For foreigners, what will usually happen, is you will be perplexed or confused by how the Japanese person is behaving. Things will see normal, then they run away or stop communicating. What you might not know is they suffered a panic attack OR their insecurities and doubts built up to a critical peak, that they decided to run away or avoid the situation.
Japanese with mental anxiety disorders will constantly be seeking to AVOID and RUN AWAY from any new or different situations and relationships.
A) Panic & Anxiety Attack Symptoms
Sometimes very physically accute, and something you might visually notice. Sweating, rapid eye movement, trouble breathing, etc.... HOWEVER, they can be more low level, where you (the normal or foreign person) don't notice any physical symptoms.
B) Low Level Panic or Anxiety Attacks
This is where the person might hold their body very rigidly, act awkward or clumsily, etc... They are not obviously panicking, but acting very WEIRD, oddly, strangely, or cowardly.
The Japanese person can look normal on the OUTSIDE, BUT be in extreme psychological discomfort or state of confusion.
C) Unknowingly Triggering Panic
When a person suffers from excessive anxiety, fears, or insecurities then certain words (verbal or written) can trigger them. It's because they visualize the situation in their mind, often irrationally picturing the worse scenario, and then panic or feel uncomfortable over it.
Say the Japanese person is afraid of new people and new places. If you the foreigner say or type, "Meet me Tuesday at Gotanda.", some Japanese can mentally flip out. In her mind, she has all these weird fears and images about being raped, murdered, her weight, being seen in public with you, her clothes, her teeth, her breath, her breast size, etc... Basically, extreme over the top mental issues, versus realizing normal people meet and talk.
3) What To Do About It?
There isn't a lot you can do for Japanese suffering from abnormal mental disorders. If their problem is only slight, and not of the more extreme varieties, you can try to help calm them down. Realize that a lot of Japanese suffer from this abnormality, and adjust how you interact with them. Think of how you would treat a panicking little mouse or child.
A child can be afraid of being outside or going to a new playground, so take the adult role of reassuring and comforting them. This can help build the child's self confidence, and can work with people affected with excessive anxiety disorders too.
Realize that since a lot of Japanese have these odd insecurities and irrational fears, just move on and find one that doesn't. Look for Japanese that act more normal or show they can be brave.
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