Selective Mutism

Selective Mutism

Selective mutism (SM) is the inability to speak in certain situations, places, or to some people. This anxiety disorder strikes during childhood. However, it can be part and parcel of your adulthood when ignored.

 The Cause?

The exact cause of selective mutism is still unknown, making it one of the under diagnosed disorders.

Signs of Selective Mutism

  • Frequent failure to speak in certain social settings
  • Shyness, withdrawal, or social isolation
  • Finding it difficult to maintain eye contact
  • Difficulty sitting in crowded or noisy places

Treatment

The most common treatment for selective mutism includes stimulus fading and medication. The former is mostly used on children while the latter on young adults and older people.

Ieva Kubiliute

Ieva Kubiliute is a psychologist and a sex and relationships advisor and a freelance writer. She's also a consultant to several health and wellness brands. While Ieva specialises in covering wellness topics ranging from fitness and nutrition, to mental wellbeing, sex and relationships and health conditions, she has written across a diverse range of lifestyle topics, including beauty and travel. Career highlights so far include: luxury spa-hopping in Spain and joining an £18k-a-year London gym. Someone’s got to do it! When she’s not typing away at her desk—or interviewing experts and case studies, Ieva winds down with yoga, a good movie and great skincare (affordable of course, there’s little she doesn’t know about budget beauty). Things that bring her endless joy: digital detoxes, oat milk lattes and long country walks (and sometimes jogs).

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