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How does selective mutism and social anxiety differ?

Selective mutism and social anxiety are closely related, but they are not the same.

  • Social anxiety disorder: Involves intense fear of social or performance situations, but children can usually still speak, even if anxiously.
  • Selective mutism: Involves an inability to speak in specific settings despite wanting to, often linked to social anxiety but with a stronger “freeze” response.
Many children with selective mutism also meet the criteria for social anxiety disorder, but the key difference is that mutism involves silence as the primary symptom. Contact us now.