What is Social Anxiety Disorder & Selective Mutism?
Social anxiety is extremely prevalent in children and adults a like. Suffers often feel crippling anxiety in social situations, which results in shy tendencies and withdrawal. In a school setting, social anxiety my present itself as social isolation, lack of participation in class, and avoidance of recess and lunch. Typically, this stems from fear of embarrassment, judgement or rejection. Many children struggle to make and maintain friendships, despite the fact that they would like to have them. (WorryWiseKids, 2015). According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the graphs below illustrate the frequency of social anxiety in children:
Selective Mutism on the other hand is almost an extension of social anxiety, in the fact that it stems from the same underlying fears. With selective mutism, children are exhibit an inability to speak in certain social situations, but are perfectly fine in others. Typically, children are chatty and vocal at home and in other situations where they feel comfortable, whereas, they are silent and withdrawn in settings like school or daycare (SMG, n.d.). Children with selective mutism understand language and usually have normal cognitive ability, yet due to extreme anxiety, they refrain from speaking and participating. As stated in by WorryWiseKids, "Confusing to the adults around them, kids have a very clear delineation of 'talk' and 'not-talk' zones"(2015).
Causes
As with most anxiety disorders, what causes social anxiety is unknown. There is some evidence that supports that some people have a hereditary predisposition, yet there is no clear explanation why some people develop the disorder, and others do not. Researchers have discovered that there are several parts of the brain that play a role, and they are looking into how stressful environments may play a role (NIMH, 2015).
Signs & Symptoms
According to Worry Wise Kids, an awareness organization created by Dr. Tamar Chansky, in conjunction with The Children's and Adult Center for OCD and Anxiety, here are ten red flags to look out for:
Fears being humiliated, embarrassing or laughed at in everyday situations
Avoid social contact or endures with great distress
Physical symptoms of anxiety- racing heart, sweaty palms, difficulty concentrating, stomachaches
Avoid eye contact, conversation with others
May be terrified of using the telephone, ordering in a restaurant, eating in a cafeteria
May be unable to raise a hand in class, do book reports or presentations, or ask for help which would require being the focus of attention
Avoidance of gym class or using school or public bathroom
Hesitant to go to friend's houses or talk to friend's parents
Exposure to the feared social situation almost invariably provokes anxiety, which may take the form of a situationally based panic. In children, the anxiety may be expressed by crying, tantrums, freezing, or shrinking from contact. Persistent fear of one or more social or performance situations in which the person is exposed to unfamiliar people or to possible scrutiny by others.
Clinically significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.
Duration of at least 6 months
In addition, they provided red flags that indicate selective mutism:
Does not speak in certain places; such as school or other social events
Can speak normally in other settings where they are comfortable such as in their home
Child's inability to speak interferes with his ability to function in educational and/or social settings
Child appears to freeze up, be stiff and statue-like in target setting