Mutism
Mutism
Mutism (/ˈmjuːtɪzəm/), from the Latin mutus meaning "silent", is a severe form of speech disorder where an individual is unable to speak. This condition can be a result of physical damage to the vocal cords or other parts of the vocal apparatus, or it can be caused by a psychological or neurological disorder.
Types of Mutism
There are several types of mutism, including:
- Selective Mutism: This is a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child's inability to speak in select social settings, such as school. These children are able to speak and understand language, but fail to speak in certain situations or to certain people.
- Akinetic Mutism: This is a condition in which a person cannot move or speak. It is usually caused by damage to various parts of the brain, including the frontal lobe and the basal ganglia.
- Elective Mutism: This is a now outdated term that was defined as a refusal to speak in almost all social situations despite normal ability to do so. It's now more commonly referred to as Selective Mutism.
Causes
Mutism can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Trauma or stress
- Neurological disorders
- Psychological disorders
- Damage to the vocal cords or vocal apparatus
Treatment
Treatment for mutism depends on the underlying cause. It may include:
See Also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mutism
- Wikipedia's article - Mutism
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