Selective Mutism - Treatment

Treatment

Contrary to popular belief, people suffering from selective mutism do not necessarily improve with age. Effective treatment is necessary for a child to develop properly. Without treatment, selective mutism can contribute to chronic depression, further anxiety, and other social and emotional problems.

Consequently, treatment at an early age is important. If not addressed, selective mutism tends to be self-reinforcing. Those around such a person may eventually expect him or her not to speak and therefore stop attempting to initiate verbal contact with the sufferer. Alternately, they may pressure the child to talk, making him or her have even higher anxiety levels in situations where speech is expected. Because of these problems, a change of environment (such as changing schools) may make a difference, and treatment in teenage or adult years can be more difficult because the sufferer has become accustomed to being mute.

The exact treatment depends on the sufferer's age, other mental illnesses he or she may have, and a number of other factors. For instance, stimulus fading is typically used with younger children, because older children and teenagers recognize the situation as an attempt to make them speak, and older sufferers and people with depression are more likely to need medication.