Selective Mutism: Madeline's Case

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Madeline suffers from a rare disorder, Selective Mutism. In Madeline case, the condition is selective because although at home she can be quite talkative when in front of strangers, she becomes so anxious that she cannot say a single word. Madeline refuses to speak in settings where it is expected of her to speak and communicate (e.g. school). The school is a school. Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder and therefore can be categorized as a psychological disorder. As stated in the book, a psychological disorder has “traditionally been defined as a pattern of behavioral, cognitive, emotional, or physical symptoms shown by an individual” (Mash & Wolfe, 2019). In Madeline’s case, she presents a pattern of behavioral symptoms, as stated by her …show more content…

“Such distress and disability increases the risk of further suffering or harm, such as death, pain, disability, or an important loss of freedom” (Mash & Wolfe, 2019). In Madeline’s case, if left untreated, she may become isolated. Thus affecting her adolescence and adulthood, as her mother states there is a fear of Madeline “not having friends, not going to university, not having a job where she needs to interact with people” Evidently her condition may hinder her social interactions/skills thus affecting her mental well-being and emotional state. According to the book, “Genetic factors are implicated in all of the childhood disorders. Some genetic factors are expressed early in development, such as behavioral inhibition or shyness (Nigg, 2006). Madeline may have a genetic predisposition to anxiety, she has inherited a tendency to be anxious from a family …show more content…

According to the book, temperament “relates to the child’s organized style of behavior that appears early in development, such as fussiness or fearfulness, which shapes the child’s approach to his or her environment” (Mash & Wolfe, 2019). In Madeline’s case, she could fall under the fearful or inhibited temperament. As stated in the book, fearful or inhibited “describes the slow-to-warm-up child, who is cautious in his or her approach to novel or challenging situations. Such children are more variable in self-regulation and adaptability and may show distress or negativity in some situations” (Mash & Wolfe, 2019). Madeline can demonstrate an anxiety prone temperament and social anxiety as she is immediately overcome by anxiety when facing strangers and in certain social settings. Madeline could possibly have an insecure type of attachment. According to the book, infants with this type of attachment demonstrate “disinterest in or resistance to exploration, wary of novel situations or strangers” (Mash & Wolfe, 2019). These children have difficulty managing anxiety and typically have phobias, fears, and

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