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If you are unable to speak in certain contexts and with particular people, you may have selective mutism. Here we explain what selective mutism is and how to get help.
What is selective mutism?
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that usually affects children, where people who otherwise have the ability to speak do not speak in certain social situations or with certain people. It is important to note that selective mutism is not an inability to speak, but rather an inability to speak in certain contexts or with certain people.
What causes the diagnosis?
A combination of several genetic, biological, and environmental factors cause selective mutism. There is a high correlation between social anxiety and selective mutism in particular.
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Selective mutism in children
The diagnosis affects around 0.7-0.8% of children. The child can sometimes communicate by nodding, using gestures or writing notes. It can be triggered by stressful events such as a move or a change in preschool and is more common in cases of autism, cognitive difficulties and multilingual children.
Selective mutism is considered to be an anxiety disorder. There may be co-morbidity with social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), separation anxiety, agoraphobia, panic disorder or specific phobias.
Selective mutism and social anxiety
The diagnosis has much in common with social anxiety, though there are more physical symptoms with social anxiety. Social phobias or anxiety disorders often occur at a later age than selective mutism, which tends to affect young children.
Autism and selective mutism
There are similarities between selective mutism and autism, such as trouble speaking in certain situations. People with autism tend to have global difficulties in social settings, whereas someone with selective mutism can function socially in some social situations. Unlike people with autism, people with selective mutism don’t have difficulty understanding or decoding social situations and cues.
Selective mutism and language disorders
Selective mutism can sometimes be interpreted as difficulties with speech, but it is not a language disorder. School staff may need support from psychologists or a speech therapist to better understand these children or students.
Help with selective mutism
Selective mutism is a common and treatable problem. Seek help today to help reduce your symptoms.
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Symptoms of selective mutism
The diagnosis can develop at an early age and is often noticed in preschool or early elementary school. You might think that the child is just shy, but if it doesn’t improve it could be selective mutism. Some of the symptoms are:
- Silence in specific situations: People with the diagnosis are silent or communicate by nodding or using body language in certain social situations or with certain people.
- Often visible in childhood: Symptoms usually appear for the first time in childhood.
- Related to anxiety: Selective mutism is closely linked to anxiety.
- Speech in familiar or safe environments: At home or with close friends and family, people with selective mutism often do not have difficulty speaking.
Selective mutism treatment
The symptoms can sometimes go away on their own, but you may also need more support. The earlier you get help, the better. Treatment may include therapy, relaxation exercises and social skills training. There is little scientific support for drug treatment.
Speech therapy for selective mutism
If you are a parent of a child with selective mutism, you can seek help from a speech therapist. The treatment involves changing the attitude of the environment and thus gradually getting the child used to taking up space, talking to others and taking the initiative to speak.
How therapy can help with anxiety
Talking to a licensed psychologist can give you tools to understand and manage symptoms. This can help you overcome the condition and improve your quality of life.
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12 common questions and answers about selective mutism
What is selective mutism?
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder where people who otherwise have the ability to speak do not speak in certain social situations or with certain people.
What are the most common symptoms of selective mutism?
The symptoms often develop in childhood and are similar to anxiety disorders. You may talk to people with whom you feel more comfortable but become silent in other contexts.
How is selective mutism different from social phobia?
Social phobia has more physical symptoms, anxiety in more contexts and a later age of onset, while someone with selective mutism only has trouble speaking in certain settings and contexts.
Is selective mutism a language disorder?
Selective mutism can sometimes be interpreted as difficulty with articulation or other aspects of speech, but it is not a language disorder.
How common is selective mutism?
The diagnosis affects around 0.7-0.8% of all children.
What is the difference between autism and selective mutism?
There are similarities between selective mutism and autism, such as trouble speaking in certain situations. People with autism tend to have global difficulties in social settings, whereas someone with selective mutism can function socially in some social situations. Unlike people with autism, people with selective mutism don’t have difficulty understanding or decoding social situations and cues.
How can selective mutism be treated?
Treatment may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation exercises and social skills training.
What are the long-term effects of untreated anxiety?
Untreated anxiety can lead to depression and other mental health problems.
Can a speech therapist help with selective mutism?
If you are a parent of a child with selective mutism, you can seek help from a speech therapist. The treatment involves changing the attitude of the environment and gradually getting the child used to taking up space, talking to others and taking the initiative to speak.
Can you have other mental health problems at the same time?
Selective mutism is considered an anxiety disorder and often there can be co-morbidity with social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), separation anxiety, agoraphobia, panic disorder or specific phobias.
How much does a treatment at Lavendla cost?
At Lavendla, the therapists set the price themselves. Most of our therapists charge between $30 and $100 per session.
Where can I go if I need help?
At Lavendla, we have experienced psychologists and therapists working with CBT who can help you feel better.
What does treatment for selective mutism involve?
Seeking help is an important step towards better health. Here is an overview of the steps usually involved in CBT treatment.
Step 1: An initial assessment session
During the first meeting with your psychologist, an assessment is made to review your mental and physical health and how your symptoms manifest themselves.
Step 2: Goal setting
You will then set concrete goals for the therapy, both short and long term, depending
which areas of your life are most affected by your symptoms.
Step 4: Treatment with different techniques and tools
This is the start of the actual treatment phase, which involves exercises aimed at giving you tools to overcome and work through your problems.
Step 5: Monitoring and evaluation
Treatment is monitored regularly to see how well the therapy is working. If necessary, the treatment plan can be adjusted or renewed.
Step 6: Ending and looking ahead
As the therapy comes to an end, it is time to reflect on the progress made. It is also important to monitor the results over time.
If you or someone close to you is seeking professional help, do not hesitate to book a session with one of our licensed psychologists or therapists.
