Browsing by Subject "lapsuusajan häiriöt"

This literature review focuses on the diagnostic criteria for selective mutism and its treatment. Selective mutism occurs in 0.3-1 % of the population. Its key features are anxiety and a consistent failure to speak in certain social situations despite speaking in others. The duration of the disturbance is at least one month. In the ICD-10 disease classification it is categorized as a disorder of social functioning with onset specific to childhood and adolescence. In the DSM-5 classification selective mutism is categorized as an anxiety disorder. Its comorbidity with other anxiety disorders, especially social phobia, is high. There are no international treatment recommendations for selective mutism, but individually designed cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy is preferred. If psychotherapy is insufficient, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine may be considered. It is important to identify selective mutism as it has a major impact on one’s quality of life and ability to function. It also causes social disadvantages and weakens academic capacity and self-esteem. Sometimes selective mutism is interpreted as extreme shyness and the disorder remains undiagnosed. Increasing awareness of selective mutism among those working with the young and families is important in order to identify the disorder and start appropriate treatment as early as possible. Early treatment is important because it can improve the prognosis and reduce the human suffering caused by the disorder.