What kind of disorder does mutism belong to

Mutism belongs to selective mutism disorder, which is a psychological disorder related to anxiety, mainly manifested as sustained inability to speak in specific social environments.

1. Symptoms of Social Anxiety

Patients with mutism may experience speech suppression when interacting with unfamiliar people or in stressful environments. This silence is not intentional resistance, but rather a physiological language barrier caused by intense anxiety. Commonly seen in school-age children, their language abilities are normal in safe environments such as at home, but they are completely unable to speak up in school and other settings. Symptoms may be accompanied by signs of social anxiety such as avoidance of eye contact and stiff limbs.

2. Developmental language disorders

Partial mutism is associated with delayed language development, and these patients may have a basis for expressive language disorders. When faced with scenarios that require complex language responses, a sense of frustration arises due to insufficient ability, which in turn develops into selective silence. It is necessary to distinguish between simple mutism and complex disorders accompanied by language development problems through language assessment.

3. Traumatic stress response

Major life events such as family changes and campus bullying may trigger defensive silence, which is a nonverbal expression of children's psychological trauma. Patients establish psychological protection barriers through silence, often accompanied by post-traumatic stress symptoms such as nightmares and increased alertness. Differential diagnosis with post-traumatic stress disorder is required.

4. Autism Spectrum Comorbidity

High functioning individuals with autism or Asperger's syndrome may exhibit characteristics similar to mutism, but essentially are speech difficulties caused by social communication disorders. These patients often exhibit spectrum characteristics such as stereotyped behavior and sensory allergies, which require professional evaluation for differentiation.

5. Family interaction mode

Overprotection or high-pressure family environment may maintain symptoms of silence. When family members excessively compensate for the patient's silent behavior or force them to speak through punishment, it may reinforce the patient's anxiety cycle. Family therapy requires adjusting the interactive mode and establishing a safe language expression environment. The intervention of mutism requires the collaboration of multiple parties such as psychotherapists and speech therapists, using progressive exposure therapy combined with mindfulness training to help patients establish a sense of security. Parents should avoid public pressure and can build communication bridges through non-verbal means such as painting and writing, gradually transitioning to language expression. Regular exercise and artistic activities can help alleviate anxiety and create opportunities for natural dialogue. If accompanied by significant functional impairment, anti anxiety medication should be considered as adjuvant therapy under the guidance of a doctor.