11/30/2018 0 Comments More than "Just being Shy"For our last post (for now), I wanted to talk about a disorder that is unlike other ones that we have covered. This disorder is known as Selective Mutism, unlike in the past the child is able to speak and comprehend but remains silent in certain situations. What is selective mutism?Selective Mutism is a childhood anxiety disorder that is seen when a child has difficulty communicating in unfamiliar settings. Basically, children with this disorder have a phobia of speaking outside of their household. The degree of mutism depends on the child. For example, some children may be able to engage in communication at home and at a family friend's house but will not speak at school. With Selective Mutism, the verbal component of expression is not only affected but so is the nonverbal component. This results in isolation of the child in social settings. signsSome signs of Selective Mutism include:
What causes it?The cause of Selective Mutism is typically associated with family history. Since this disorder occurs at a young age, individuals that develop it normally have a parent or family member that suffers or suffered from anxiety. This makes a child more vulnerable to inheriting anxious tendencies. the brain & Selective mutismUnlike disorders addressed previously, Selective Mutism occurs due to a neurotransmitter deficiency. Since, Selective Mutism is anxiety driven it is correlated to the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Those with Selctive Mutism have a serotonin deficiency that impacts the prefrontal cortex of the brain. Serotonin is a key component to managing one's mood and balancing stress. The lack or depletion of it is often linked to depression and anxiety. More on Selective Mutism...takeaway 🎈Selective Mustism is a childhood anxiety disorder, where an individual is too self-conscious to engage in communication. This lack of socialization can result in isolation and an even greater fear to interact both verbally and non-verbally. Selective Mutism is seen in children whose parents have an anxiety related condition. It is also neurologically caused by a deficiency of the neurotransmitter serotonin. links
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |