Selective Mutism

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Selective mutism usually begins in childhood and is characterized by the inability to speak in almost all social contexts, despite the fact that there are no delays in either learning or language development.

Diagnosis is not always simple, as it is necessary to distinguish selective mutism from other disorders that may affect the ability to learn and communicate, from other forms of mutism (for example, a temporary mutism caused by entering a new school, or in a new country or state, etc.) and other types of anxiety disorders.

Patients with selective mutism need adequate psychological support in order to overcome the problem.

caused by being in certain social contexts. This condition of malaise can be guessed from the behavior of the child with selective mutism who, generally, struggles to maintain eye contact, has an expressionless face, has low self-esteem and has physical rigidity.

Misinterpretation of the Manifestations of Selective Mutism

In some cases, parents, as well as teachers or even pediatricians tend to underestimate the problem, do not care and believe that the disorder is due to simple shyness, as the child is able to communicate in the family. Doing so, however, risks significantly delaying the diagnosis, the disorder consolidates and becomes more and more evident. In such situations in which the anxiety disorder is underestimated, the child's silences could even be interpreted as the will to provoke the interlocutor or the will to escape from the rules or from one's duties (such as studying). This situation can lead to forcing on the part of teachers and parents who can only worsen the anxiety condition in which the child finds himself and which can cause a "further reduction in" self-esteem.

It is therefore clear how a "wrong interpretation of the manifestations of selective mutism can exponentially increase the patient's discomfort, as well as delay the diagnosis and make subsequent treatment difficult.

, schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders.

Deepening: the DSM

The DSM (from the English Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), that is the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, is a text written by the "American Psychiatric Association (APA) that groups and describes various mental disorders, reporting symptoms and manifestations. The DSM is currently in its fifth edition (hence the" abbreviation DSM-5).

which has the following objectives:

• Reduce the frequency and intensity of anxious states that assail children in social contexts;
• Try to obtain a condition of sufficient tranquility in social situations that cause problems for the child;
• Increase self-esteem and self-confidence in the child;
• Stimulate the child to express thoughts, emotions and needs (not necessarily through words);
• Provide the child with strategies to help him establish and maintain interpersonal relationships.

Ilaria Randi

Graduated in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, she took and passed the State Exam for the Qualification to the Profession of Pharmacist