Selective Mutism - EvBoard

CorsetteCrazy · 11-27-2005, 06:02 PM

I didn't find a post on this topic, and I want to raise awareness, so here goes.

SM is an childhood anxiety disorder.... it means that the child affected is SO anxious, and shy, and nervous, that she cannot speak. (Well, she can talk, just not in an uncomfortable situation.)

And it is VERY different from shyness! VERY!!!!!

I know from experience!

Anyone u know like this? Anyone been like this?? Do you need more information?

I'm so glad I was (hopefully) able to help some one..

HUGZ!

Nemo · 11-27-2005, 06:18 PM

Does it only effect girls?

CorsetteCrazy · 11-27-2005, 06:19 PM

Girls and guys. but only children.

Nemo · 11-27-2005, 06:20 PM

It only effects children? It sounds more like a phase, then.

CorsetteCrazy · 11-27-2005, 06:27 PM

It most definetly isn't a phase, though! It's too scary, and real.

If a child goes through that, even once they begin to talk in situations that were once unbarable, they'll forver be anxious.

Darko · 11-28-2005, 10:53 AM

Nemo, it's not a phase, it's an actual problem. I know of an author who was a selective mute as a child. She wouldn't say a word to anyone. She had a pad and pen instead.

Wikipedia Entry

**Miles D** · 11-28-2005, 11:36 AM

Why not give them a big tickle? That would make just about anybody squeal! And a big vocal squeal = cure!

CorsetteCrazy · 11-28-2005, 03:51 PM

Even if you tickle 'em, it's NOT going to work. Pushing a child like this to speak will just shut them up even more.

Think of the scariest thing you can imagine. For example, you have a HUGE speech, in front of the entire state of, um... New York. You have to speak. Your heart pounds, your hands are sweaty. You feel like you're going to faint- or throw up, whichever comes first. You think you can't do it.

Now imagaine that scenario multiplied by a million.

That's what the child feels like whenever they set foot in a school. or in an uncomfortable situation- that's everyday.

Believe me, as a girl who felt this, it isn't a phase. It isn't cuz u don't want to talk. the words just won't come out.

Nemo · 11-28-2005, 05:18 PM

Wow okay, I think we have established it isnt a phase. I only said it sounded like a phase, given that i had no prior knowledge or information- and thats the way it seemed by the information you gave. And I said it was a phase so that you would further clarify the difference and defend your point.

I assume it develops into anxiety/panic disorders later in life? More importantly- treatments?

CorsetteCrazy · 11-28-2005, 06:14 PM

Yup, I know

Thanks for bringing it up- great way of, A) informing people and B)practicing my defending and 'debating skills'!
Thanks.

Anyway, for treatment, there are medications (not usually needed), herbal remedies, therapists/pshyciatrists (oy, how DO you spell that!?) and making friends, sort of 'exposing' the child to the situation. Artwork, like acting, dancing and painting.

And yelling, cheering, hugging, screaming, etc is NOT and will NOT help in the long run... it helps to give very little attention to breakthoughs.

You're right- anxiety attacks and the like occur afterwards and will always stay, no matter what. I still get 'em!

And just a random, sorta strange/depressing bit of information... on a Greenday website, it says Billie Joe (lead singer) suffers from panic attacks, too! A bit of inspiration for anxious people, I guess...

Thanks again for giving me a chance to hopefully help people, and to feel 'smart'!

Luv Knish

11-27-2005, 06:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
CorsetteCrazy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Somewhere Out There Age: 18 Posts: 160 Points: 507.56 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 507.56 Donate	Selective Mutism I didn't find a post on this topic, and I want to raise awareness, so here goes. SM is an childhood anxiety disorder.... it means that the child affected is SO anxious, and shy, and nervous, that she cannot speak. (Well, she can talk, just not in an uncomfortable situation.) And it is VERY different from shyness! VERY!!!!! I know from experience! Anyone u know like this? Anyone been like this?? Do you need more information? I'm so glad I was (hopefully) able to help some one.. HUGZ! __________________ Doughnut Sprinkle Snorting=cool

11-27-2005, 06:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nemo A votive, not in vain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Age: 19 Posts: 2,520 Points: 4,699.81 Bank: 134.72 Total Points: 4,834.53 Donate	Does it only effect girls? __________________ ...Nietzsche is the go-to philosopher of every coffee-house pseudo-intellectual. I refuse to fall into that trap...

11-27-2005, 06:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
CorsetteCrazy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Somewhere Out There Age: 18 Posts: 160 Points: 507.56 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 507.56 Donate	Girls and guys. but only children. __________________ Doughnut Sprinkle Snorting=cool

11-27-2005, 06:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
Nemo A votive, not in vain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Age: 19 Posts: 2,520 Points: 4,699.81 Bank: 134.72 Total Points: 4,834.53 Donate	It only effects children? It sounds more like a phase, then. __________________ ...Nietzsche is the go-to philosopher of every coffee-house pseudo-intellectual. I refuse to fall into that trap...

11-27-2005, 06:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
CorsetteCrazy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Somewhere Out There Age: 18 Posts: 160 Points: 507.56 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 507.56 Donate	It most definetly isn't a phase, though! It's too scary, and real. If a child goes through that, even once they begin to talk in situations that were once unbarable, they'll forver be anxious. __________________ Doughnut Sprinkle Snorting=cool

11-28-2005, 10:53 AM	#6 (permalink)
Darko Poetry Queen Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Age: 18 Posts: 1,124 Points: 8,234.83 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 8,234.83 Donate	Nemo, it's not a phase, it's an actual problem. I know of an author who was a selective mute as a child. She wouldn't say a word to anyone. She had a pad and pen instead. Wikipedia Entry

11-28-2005, 11:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
Miles D Pigstick on a Lip Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Memphis, TN Age: 31 Posts: 3,029 Points: 38.54 Bank: 267,696.24 Total Points: 267,734.78 Donate	Why not give them a big tickle? That would make just about anybody squeal! And a big vocal squeal = cure! __________________ I need a new signature. Eek!

11-28-2005, 03:51 PM	#8 (permalink)
CorsetteCrazy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Somewhere Out There Age: 18 Posts: 160 Points: 507.56 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 507.56 Donate	Even if you tickle 'em, it's NOT going to work. Pushing a child like this to speak will just shut them up even more. Think of the scariest thing you can imagine. For example, you have a HUGE speech, in front of the entire state of, um... New York. You have to speak. Your heart pounds, your hands are sweaty. You feel like you're going to faint- or throw up, whichever comes first. You think you can't do it. Now imagaine that scenario multiplied by a million. That's what the child feels like whenever they set foot in a school. or in an uncomfortable situation- that's everyday. Believe me, as a girl who felt this, it isn't a phase. It isn't cuz u don't want to talk. the words just won't come out. __________________ Doughnut Sprinkle Snorting=cool

11-28-2005, 05:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Nemo A votive, not in vain Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Age: 19 Posts: 2,520 Points: 4,699.81 Bank: 134.72 Total Points: 4,834.53 Donate	Wow okay, I think we have established it isnt a phase. I only said it sounded like a phase, given that i had no prior knowledge or information- and thats the way it seemed by the information you gave. And I said it was a phase so that you would further clarify the difference and defend your point. I assume it develops into anxiety/panic disorders later in life? More importantly- treatments? __________________ ...Nietzsche is the go-to philosopher of every coffee-house pseudo-intellectual. I refuse to fall into that trap...

11-28-2005, 06:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
CorsetteCrazy Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Somewhere Out There Age: 18 Posts: 160 Points: 507.56 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 507.56 Donate	Yup, I know Thanks for bringing it up- great way of, A) informing people and B)practicing my defending and 'debating skills'! Thanks. Anyway, for treatment, there are medications (not usually needed), herbal remedies, therapists/pshyciatrists (oy, how DO you spell that!?) and making friends, sort of 'exposing' the child to the situation. Artwork, like acting, dancing and painting. And yelling, cheering, hugging, screaming, etc is NOT and will NOT help in the long run... it helps to give very little attention to breakthoughs. You're right- anxiety attacks and the like occur afterwards and will always stay, no matter what. I still get 'em! And just a random, sorta strange/depressing bit of information... on a Greenday website, it says Billie Joe (lead singer) suffers from panic attacks, too! A bit of inspiration for anxious people, I guess... Thanks again for giving me a chance to hopefully help people, and to feel 'smart'! Luv Knish __________________ Doughnut Sprinkle Snorting=cool

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