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What is Mutism?
"Mutism is defined as an inability or unwillingness to speak, resulting in the absence or marked paucity of verbal output. It is a common presenting symptom seen in various disorders, including psychiatric as well as medical disorders. Though, it often is the main focus of clinical attention, both for the patients and the treating physicians, it rarely presents as an isolated disability and often occurs in association with other disturbances in behavior, thought processes, affect, or level of consciousness. Despite its association with a variety of neuropsychiatric disorders, mutism has received relatively little attention in the psychiatric literature.
Mutism occurs in a number of conditions, both functional and organic, and a proper diagnosis is important for the management."(1)
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Types of Mutism
Total Mutism
“Total Mutism is generally defined as complete absence of speech in a conscious patient, with intact comprehension and no evidence of oral apraxia.“ (2)
Situational Mutism
“Selective mutism [also sometimes referred to as Situational Mutism] is an anxiety disorder where a person is unable to speak in certain social situations, such as with classmates at school or to relatives they do not see very often. It usually starts during childhood and, if left untreated, can persist into adulthood.” (3)
Elective Mutism
“Elective mutism is a persistent refusal to talk in one or more major social situations, despite the ability to comprehend spoken language and to speak.”(4)
Elective Mutism is now an outdated term that now mostly means someone who CHOOSES to be mute. Also known as a Vow of Silence.
What Non-Verbal Communication?
About Us
https://www.amazon.com/author/_mark_davis_
An elementary teacher with Total Mutism in Southern California, Mark Davis is no stranger to anxiety, having lived with it for all of his life. Through working directly with students and also writing books on the subject for readers young and old alike, Mark helps to spread awareness about mental health (and Mutism) and ways to cope during difficult times. Anxiety disorders can be hard to live with, but there are ways to manage. No matter how we are feeling on the inside, it doesn't change how amazing you are as a person. You are loved, you are not less, and understand that although it doesn't seem like it during the hard moments... everything will be okay.
I promise.
Bibliography:
Reference Module in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Psychology, 2017
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/selective-mutism
American Psychiatric Association, 1987, p. 89
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