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Selective mutism is a social anxiety condition, in which a person who is quite capable of speech, is unable to speak in given situations.
Description
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders selective mutism is described as a rare psychological disorder in children. Children (and adults) with the disorder are fully capable of speech and understanding language, but fail to speak in certain social situations when it is expected of them. They function normally in other areas of behaviour and learning, though appear severely withdrawn and might be unwilling to participate in group activities. It is like an extreme form of shyness, but the intensity and duration distinguish it. As an example, a child may be completely silent at school, for years at a time, but speak quite freely or even excessively at home.
The disorder can also be the result of trauma experienced, especially at an early age, which gives such a shock and results in refusing to speak, which can then later lead to shyness of speaking especially if the child missed out on years of speech development.
The disorder is not regarded as a communication disorder, in that most children communicate through facial expressions, gestures, etc. In some cases, selective mutism is a symptom of a pervasive developmental disorder or a psychotic disorder.
In diagnosis, it can be easily confused with autistic spectrum disorder, or Aspergers, especially if the child acts particularly withdrawn around his or her psychologist. Unfortunately, this can lead to incorrect treatment.
Selective mutism is usually characterised by the following:
- Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (in which there is an expectation for speaking, e.g., at school) despite speaking in other situations.
- The disturbance interferes with educational or occupational achievement or with social communication.
- The duration of the disturbance is at least 1 month (not limited to the first month of school).
- The failure to speak is not due to a lack of knowledge of, or comfort with, the spoken language required in the social situation.
- The disturbance is not better accounted for by a Communication Disorder (e.g., Stuttering) and does not occur exlusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder.
The former name elective mutism indicates a widespread misconception even among psychologists that selective mute people choose to be silent in certain situations, while the truth is that they are forced by their extreme anxiety to remain silent; despite their will to speak they just cannot make any voice. To reflect the involuntary nature of this disorder, its name has been changed to selective mutism in 1994. However, misconceptions still prevail; for instance, the ABC News erroneously attributed the cause of selective mutism to trauma and described it as willful in a report dated May 26, 2005.
The incidence of selective mutism is not certain. Owing to the poor understanding of the general public on this condition, many cases are undiagnosed. Based on the number of reported cases, the figure is commonly estimated to be 1 in 1000. However, in a 2002 study in The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, the figure has increased to 7 in 1000.
No single cause has been established, but there is some evidence that there is a hereditary component and that it is also more common in girls than boys. Typical sufferers have some of the following traits when anxious, all of which are often perceived as rudeness:
- They find it difficult to maintain eye contact. (anxiety)
- Often don't smile and have blank expressions. (anxiety)
- They move stiffly and awkwardly. (anxiety)
- They find situations where talk is normally expected particularly hard to handle. Answering school registers, saying hello, goodbye, thank-you.
- They tend to worry about things more than others
- They can be very sensitive to noise and crowds
- Find it difficult to talk about themselves or express their feelings
On the positive side, many sufferers have
- Above average intelligence, perception, or are inquisitive
- Are sensitive to others' thoughts and feelings (empathy)
- Have very good powers of concentration (focused)
- Often have a good sense of right/wrong/fairness (justice)
Treatment
Contrary to popular belief, people suffering from selective mutism do not necessarily improve with age, or just grow out of it. Consequently, treatment at an early age is important. If not addressed, selective mutism tends to be self-reinforcing, with the person being known as the one who doesn't speak which makes it all the harder to then speak. Sometimes in this situation, a change of environment (such as changing schools) to a place where the condition is not known can make the difference.
Occasionally, treatment in teenage years becomes more difficult, though not necessarily.
Forceful attempts to make the child talk are not productive, usually resulting in higher anxiety levels and so reinforcing the condition. The behaviour is often viewed externally as willful, or controlling, as the child usually shuts down all communication and body language in such situations, which is perceived as rudeness.
The exact treatment depends a lot on the subject, their age and other factors. Typically stimulus fading is used with younger children.
If anxiety medication is used it is needed at an extremely low dosage, higher doses may just make the problem worse
Stimulus Fading
In this technique the sufferer is brought into a controlled environment with someone who they are at ease with and can communicate. Gradually another person is introduced into the situation involving a number of small steps.These steps are often done in separate stages in which case it is called the sliding-in technique, where a new person is slid into the talking group. This can take a relatively long time for the first one or two faded in people.
Desensitization
The subject is allowed to communicate via non-direct means to prepare them mentally for the next step. This might include email, phone, taped recordings, until they are in a position to try more direct communication.Drug treatments
There is some evidence indicating that antidepressants such as fluoxetine may be effective in treating children with selective mutism, but only under closely controlled medical advice. These can sometimes decrease the anxiety levels enough to allow communication to take place.See also
External links
- The Selective Mutism Group~Childhood Anxiety Network
- Selective Mutism Foundation
- The Selective Mutism Resource Book ISBN 0863882803
- Gail Kervatts book site ISBN 0615121519
- Selective Mutism Support Group US based email discussion list
- Smiratalk Discussion list UK based email discussion list
Other Organisations
- SMIRA (Selective Mutism Information and Research Association) (UK)
Anxiety disorders | Childhood psychiatric disorders | Shyness
"Selective mutism"