Understanding taijin kyofusho through its treatment, Morita therapy

This article presents a brief review of the definition, nosology, history, clinical features, and etiology of taijin kyofusho. Special attention is al so given to Morita therapy for taijin kyofusho. The term taijin kyofusho li terally means the disorder (sho) of fear (kyofu) of interpersonal relations (taijin). Morita therapy was developed by Masatake Morita in the 1910s to treat the Japanese mental disorders called shinkeishitsu and taijin kyofush o. It is suggested that taijin kyofusho is an excellent example of a mental disorder in which understanding its treatment is an integral part of its c onceptualization. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Inc.