Definitions

Social Anxiety Disorder / Social Phobia

"Social anxiety is the fear of social situations and the interaction with other people that can automatically bring on feelings of self-consciousness, judgment, evaluation, and inferiority."

"Put another way, social anxiety is the fear and anxiety of being judged and evaluated negatively by other people, leading to feelings of inadequacy, embarrassment, humiliation, and depression."

"If a person usually becomes anxious in social situations, but seems fine when they are alone, then "social anxiety" may be the problem."

"A specific social anxiety [for example] would be the fear of speaking in front of groups, whereas generalized social phobia indicates that the person is anxious, nervous, and uncomfortable in almost all social situations."

--- The Social Anxiety Network (http://www.social-anxiety-network.com/define.html), Thomas A. Richards, Ph.D., Psychologist, Director, The Social Anxiety Institute

Selective Mutism

"Selective Mutism is a complex childhood anxiety disorder characterized by a child’s inability to speak and communicate effectively in select social settings, such as school. These children are able to speak and communicate in settings where they are comfortable, secure and relaxed."

"More than 90% of children with Selective Mutism also have social phobia or social anxiety. This disorder is quite debilitating and painful to the child. Children and adolescents with Selective Mutism have an actual FEAR of speaking and of social interactions where there is an expectation to speak and communicate."

"Many children with Selective Mutism have great difficulty responding or initiating communication in a nonverbal manner; therefore social engagement may be compromised in many children when confronted by others or in a setting that is overwhelming or they sense a feeling of expectation."

"Not all children manifest their anxiety in the same way.Some may be completely mute and unable to speak or communicate to anyone in a social setting, others may be able to speak to a select few or perhaps whisper. Some children may stand motionless with fear, as they are confronted with specific social settings. They may freeze, be expressionless, unemotional and may be socially isolated. Less severely affected children, may ‘look’ relaxed, carefree and socialize with one or a few children but are unable to speak and effectively communicate to teachers and most or all peers."

--- Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment Center (http://www.selectivemutismcenter.org/cms/what_is_selective_mutism.aspx), Dr. Elisa Shipon-Blum, DO, President and Director, Selective Mutism Anxiety Research and Treatment Center (SMART-Center)