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Selective mutismandsocial anxiety disordershare similar symptoms but are distinct conditions.
However, researchers believe that the conditions are interrelated and they often occur together at the same time.
Studies suggest that nearly 40% of children with selective mutism also have social anxiety disorder.
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Learn more about the differences between selective mutism and social anxiety disorder.
Talk to your child’s doctor if you think your child might have one or both conditions.
Symptoms
Selective mutism and social anxiety disorder are both characterized by anxiety in social situations.
Kids with social anxiety feel anxious in response to social or performance situations.
Social mutism causes children to stop speaking in specific social situations.
Symptoms of the condition affect a child’s social life, ability to maintain friendships, and educational achievement.
Various factorsincluding genetics, environmental variables, and social influencesare believed to play a role.
Selective Mutism
Selective mutism appears to have some genetic influences.
Children with the condition tend to have family members who also haveanxiety disorders.
Temperament factors and family influences may increase a child’s risk.
Some evidence shows that social anxiety tends to run in families.
Certain temperaments, which are associated with genetic influences, are linked to a higher risk for social anxiety.
Children with social anxiety tend to have shy temperaments marked by higher levels ofbehavioral inhibition.
Children with this temperament tend to be more fearful and resistant when encountering unfamiliar situations.
Structural differences in the brain may also play a part.
Environmental influences, including observing anxious behaviors in others, can also contribute to the condition’s onset.
Diagnosis
for make a diagnosis, a healthcare practitioner will ask questions about a child’s symptoms.
While the two conditions share similarities, there are symptom patterns that can help distinguish between the two.
Symptoms of the condition usually begin earlier and occur in specific configs.
CBT addresses the underlying thoughts that contribute to anxiety and avoidance behavior.
Specific forms of CBT that can be helpful in treating selective mutism or social anxiety include desensitization andexposure therapy.
People are gradually exposed to what they fear.
With prolonged and repeated exposure, they eventually become desensitized and their fear decreases.
Early recognition of social anxiety and behavioral inhibition can help improve outcomes.
Some experts believe that selective mutism may represent a more severe form of social anxiety disorder.
Despite these connections, there are important differences.
Social anxiety disorder tends to be less specific and occurs in various situations.
With diagnosis and treatment, both are highly treatable conditions.
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