Some people mask their deep loneliness by making sure they are never alone. Photo: IC

For about five years, Coco Wang has suffered from so-called "extroverted autism," a term that originated on the Chinese Internet in 2013 to refer to people whose behavior is very sociable but feel desolately lonely inside.

"People who know me think I'm an outgoing person. I have a large circle of friends and frequently attend gatherings and activities," Wang told Metropolitan. "But the more crowded the environment, the more loneliness I feel. I just can't help it."

As the term began to circulate on the Internet, it struck a chord with many young urbanites, but it went viral after the cartoonist Daidai illustrated its eight symptoms, including a strong dependence on smartphones, wildly variable moods and intense nostalgia.

Daidai, 31, told Metropolitan that he had not expected such a fervent reaction to his cartoons. "I have experienced those symptoms. And I discovered that most of my friends feel the same," he said.

He attributed these feelings to the fast pace of life and the stress of living in a big city. In 2006, he moved to Beijing to work in an Internet cartoon company, but quit his job in 2012 to start his own business.

"My recreational activities are few but I have many responsibilities. After work, my smartphone can seem to be the only source of comfort," said Daidai.

A search on Sina Weibo reveals hundreds of users who describe themselves as "extroverted autistics." But psychological experts warn that these symptoms may signal serious depression.

Wang said that she would suddenly burst into tears when she was partying with friends. "It's probably because I was far away from home and in a long-distance relationship with my boyfriend back then."

She said that she tried to distract herself by watching films or doing nails for a whole afternoon. "But the most useful method was to stay busy so that I could forget about it," she said. "Besides, after breaking up with my boyfriend, I was less dependent on my smartphone."

In January, Daidai launched a new cartoon series entitled "Cures for extroverted autism." For each symptom, he gave a prescription, e.g. stop using your smartphone, and slap yourself when you behave irrationally.

"My intent was to broadcast positive energy and build people's confidence. But personally, I find myself unable to follow all these rules," laughed Daidai.

Han Haiying, a psychologist at Anding Hospital, has encountered patients with these symptoms. "When we ask about their normal personality, they say they are extroverted and talkative. These patients doubt whether they are actually experiencing depression, given their outgoing personalities. But extroversion does not necessarily equate to mental health. Extroverted people tend to have a harder time than introverts in accepting their symptoms," said Han.

"In order to escape from their problem, they will use all measures possible to divert their attention to the external world, including pretending to stay active with friends or shifting their focus online to disguise their loneliness or negative feelings. Yet these forms of escape also deprive them of the opportunity to confront and understand this side of their character," said Han, adding that the best way to cure it is to discuss one's true feelings to friends or a psychologist.

Symptoms of "extroverted autism"

•You are never without your smartphone

•You exhibit different personalities around different people

•You knew how to behave socially from an early age

•You alternate between cheerful and silent

•You can be wounded by words but won't let anybody notice

•You comfort many people but don't have anybody to turn to

•You long for the past and dislike the present

•You alternate between crazy and calm