What is selective Mutism? Understand it Through DSM-5-TR:

Human relationships are based on how humans interact with each other. The central part of human interaction is how humans talk with each other. It lets people say what they think, feel, and need. But for some people, especially kids, it can feel like they can’t talk at all in some situations. You might be questioning:

What is selective Mutism?

Why does someone who can talk choose not to speak in some situations?

According to DSM-5 TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), Selective Mutism (SM) is included in the category of anxiety disorders. In selective mutism disorder, it is hard for a person to talk in certain situations. Even though a person can speak in certain situations, they cannot talk in others. The symptoms of selective Mutism are shown in early childhood. These symptoms of selective Mutism affect the social and professional performance of an individual. To clarify your questions, what is Selective Mutism? We will more clearly describe the symptoms of selective Mutism according to DSM-5 TR.

The diagnostic criteria of “Selective Mutism”, DSM-5 TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders), are:

Diagnostic Criteria A.

Individuals have difficulty speaking in certain social situations. Individuals have difficulty speaking or are unable to say when expected to do so. Even an individual can speak in another situation.

Diagnostic Criteria B.

Difficulty speaking affects the social and educational life of an individual. Selective Mutism can interfere with a person’s social communication.

Diagnostic Criteria C.

This social communication disturbance lasted for 1 month.

Diagnostic Criteria D.

This selective Mutism is not due to a lack of knowledge.

People often say that kids with Selective Mutism are very talkative and expressive in familiar settings. But then they suddenly can’t speak in other situations. The silence is not a choice; it is a response to extreme anxiety. For this reason, doctors say that SM is an anxiety disorder, just like Social Anxiety Disorder.

The DSM-5-TR says that for someone to be diagnosed with Selective Mutism, the condition must last for at least one month. These conditions make it hard to do their job or go to school. A communication disorder, language disorder, or another developmental condition cannot sufficiently explain the inability to speak.

What is Selective Mutism? What are the common signs and symptoms of Selective Mutism?

It is essential to know the common signs and symptoms of selective Mutism. Kids with Selective Mutism (SM) might:

1. Unable to speak in specific social situations, like at school or in public places

2. The ability to talk freely in places that are safe or familiar, like at home

3. Not making eye contact and looking frozen or blank when asked to talk.

4. Anxious people may shake, fidget, or blush.

5. When things get stressful, they don’t use many gestures or facial expressions.

6. Relying on nonverbal cues like pointing or nodding.

Selective Mutism is most common in kids, but if it isn’t treated right away, the symptoms can last into the teen years or even into adulthood. Being quiet can make you feel lonely, socially withdrawn, and have low self-esteem.

What is the connection Between Anxiety & Selective Mutism?

To comprehend selective Mutism, it is essential to acknowledge its anxiety-related origins. If you still have questions about what selective Mutism is? Most experts agree that Selective Mutism (SM) is a nasty case of Social Anxiety Disorder. People are scared of being judged, embarrassed, or looked down upon when they talk to other people.

This anxiety makes you “freeze,” which makes you temporarily mute. You can still talk to each other, but the brain’s stress response is more critical. This is why kids who are usually good at speaking at home can’t talk in class or with other people.

The DSM-5-TR makes it clear that Selective Mutism cannot happen just because of a language or communication disorder. Instead, the Mutism is caused by anxiety, not a language problem.

How Behavioural Shyness Affects Selective Mutism?

Kids who get Selective Mutism often show behavioural inhibition, which means they are shy, careful, and afraid of new situations. These kids may be more sensitive to new people or places from a young age.

These behavioural restrictions can lead to more severe anxiety over time, which can make it hard to speak in certain situations. For instance, a child may start school and feel overwhelmed by social expectations, which makes it hard for them to talk to teachers or other students.

To understand what selective Mutism is. You need to know how your personality traits developed early in life and how environmental stressors contribute to the onset of the disorder.

How To Diagnose Selective Mutism?

As we have mentioned, what are the diagnostic criteria for selective Mutism, and what is selective Mutism? Mental health experts use the requirements mentioned in DSM-5-TR to diagnose selective Mutism. The diagnostic process for selective Mutism involves excluding other communication difficulties, like:

(i) Autism Spectrum Disorder.

(ii) Speech and language problems.

(iii) Hearing difficulties

 (iv) Neurological problems

For a thorough evaluation of the problem, interviews with parents, educators and the child are required. Mental health experts evaluate how the individual can talk in different social situations. If the conditions mentioned above are not present, then selective Mutism is diagnosed.

What are the Treatments for Selective Mutism?

Now you will better understand what selective Mutism is. Here we will explain how we treat it. For treating selective Mutism, there are many treatments used. These treatments are used to lower anxiety, encourage communication, and make you confident.

Some treatment methods are:

1. Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT is considered the most effective treatment for selective Mutism. It helps you to overcome anxious and negative thoughts. CBT is used to reframe negative thoughts to bring about positive changes in your behaviour.

Another technique used to treat selective Mutism is “gradual exposure”. In this process, individuals practice speaking in public and are gradually trained to handle difficult situations. This is an everyday behavioural strategy used to treat selective Mutism.

2. Social Support

Kids with selective Mutism face anxiety. These kids may feel more anxiety in some social situations. To treat these anxiety issues, individuals need social support from family, parents, teachers and therapists. Teachers treat by creating a supportive classroom environment. A teacher can support kids with selective Mutism by celebrating their small wins in class.

3. Help with speech

While answering, what is selective Mutism? We have described that it is not a language disorder. Kids are facing this issue due to anxiety. Therapists and pathologists train kids to develop individual communication skills.

4. Medication

Medications are also required, but not in all situations. Medication is only needed in a situation when anxiety disrupts the daily life functions of an individual.