elective mutism

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e·lec·tive mut·ism

mutism due to psychogenic causes.

Synonym(s): voluntary mutism

e·lec·tive mut·ism

(ĕ-lek'tiv myū'tizm)

Mutism due to psychogenic causes.

mutism

(mu'tizm) [L. mutus, dumb]

1. Inability or unwillingness to speak.

2. Persistent inhibition of speech, seen in some severe forms of mental illness.

akinetic mutism

The condition of being immobile and silent while partially or fully awake. This may be caused by lesions of the frontal lobes of the brain or by hydrocephalus.

elective mutism

Selective mutism.

hysterical mutism

Inability to speak due to a conversion disorder.

selective mutism

A form of social phobia, typically first identified in young children, in which the child fails to speak in certain public settings but has normal speech at other times. Synonym: elective mutism

e·lec·tive mut·ism

(ĕ-lek'tiv myū'tizm)

Mutism due to psychogenic causes.
Synonym(s): voluntary mutism.

Patient discussion about elective mutism

Q. clonex symptoms in Selective Mutism Syndrome children My son is 6.5 years old, with selective mutism syndrome - in a months time he shall be entering first grade. We have, the past 2 years been with therapists specializing in this field. He has improved outside a closed system i.e. within the kindergarten (primarily) we even see some regression. We have been at major dilemmas with giving him medication but due to the critical time - we were recommended to take 0.125 mg of Clonex medication. we are a little worried and would like to understand the possible symptoms

A. As a benzodiazepin, it can cause drowsiness, weakness and other changes in behavior. There may be some other side-effects, that you can read about here (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682279.html)

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References in periodicals archive ?

Both elective mutism and pervasive developmental disorders such as autism fall in this category.

Causes of Speech Delay in Children

Elective mutism is diagnosed, according to DSM III, when there is "a continuous and persistent refusal to speak in school or in other social situations, an ability to comprehend spoken language, an ability and willingness to speak to at least one person and no clinical evidence of a mental or physical disorder that would account for the refusal to speak.

Elective mutism in family practice

Treatment of elective mutism with fluoxetine: A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Clinical perspectives on the treatment of selective mutism

It isn't uncommon for achild with this elective mutism to speak in certain places (for example, school) but not in others (for example, home).