Suffering in Silence

Selective Mutism Is An Anxiety Disorder And Its Currently One Of The Most Misunderstood Under-Diagnosed And Undertreated Mental Health Conditions. When Children With Selective Mutism Feel Expected Or Pressured To Speak In Social Situations They Become Terrified. Therefore Their Level Of Anxiety Significantly Increases But By Remaining Silent Their Anxiety Level Slightly Decreases Obtaining Some Relief For Themselves. For These Children Remaining Silent Is Actually An Ineffective Coping Mechanism Or A Maladapted Solution To Create A Sense Of Safety Within Themselves. Hence Their Mouths Freeze And They Are Silent. This Is Temporary Relief But Longitudinally These Children Suffer In Silence. Due To The Fact That Many Children Will Display Normative Shy Behavior Or Even Socially Anxious Behavior At Times It Can Be Challenging To Discern If The Childs Behavior Falls Within Normal Limits Or If The Child Actually Demonstrates Clinically Significant Behavior Signifying A Selective Mutism Diagnosis. This Can Be Confusing For Parents Teachers And Even Clinicians. This Manual Is Meant To Help Clarify This Distinction And Will Also Assist You In Figuring Out How To Seek Help Ask The Right Questions And What You Can Expect From Early Intervention Services School-Based Services And Holistic Therapeutic And Psychiatric Services.