WELLNESS WATCH When The Words Just Won't Come Out (NAPSA)—Doctors are inereas- ingly finding that extreme shyness in children may actually be a symptom of a treatable anxiety disorder knownasselective mutism. Elisa Shipon-Blum, D.O., exec- utive director and medical director for the Selective Mutism Group— Childhood Anxiety Network, answers some of the common questions about the condition. Whatis selective mutism? Selective mutism is a complex childhood anxiety disorder charaeterized by a child’s inability to speak in select social settings, such as school. These children are able to talk normally in settings where they are comfortable, secure and relaxed. Although the etiology of selective mutism is varied, the majority of cases are due to severe anxiety, specifically social phobia. Why does a child develop selective mutism? The majority of children have a genetic predisposition to anxiety. Very often, these children show signs of severe anxiety, such as separation anxiety, frequent tantrums and crying, moodiness, inflexibility, sleep problems and extreme shyness from infancy on. Because most of these children have a persistent Often seen as a case of extreme shyness, selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that is treatable. before school age, but just seemed “very shy.” It is not until children enter school that selective mutism becomesblatantly obvious. If a parent suspects his/her child has selective mutism, what should be done? Speak to your physician and/or seek out a psychiatrist or psychologist who has experience with selective mutism. Read as much as you can about the disorder. How is selective mutism treated? The main goal with treatment is to lower anxiety while increasing self-esteem. A professional should devise an “individualized treatment plan” for each child, fear of performance or social interaction, they have developed “mutism” as a meansof controlling their ieation, school involvement and When are most children diagnosed as having selective mutism? The average age of diagnosis is between 4 and 8 years old. These children were probably mute tive Mutism Group—Childhood Anxiety Network’s Web site at www.selectivemutism.org. This article was developed as a service of the American Osteopathic Association. inner anxiety. consisting of psychotherapy, med- other methodologies. To learn more, visit the Selec-
