Selective Mutism - My Memories

How to overcome selective mutism by myself (1)

2009-06-21T06:57:00.000-07:00

I've read many books that refer to treatment for selective mutism. But as far as I know, all of them are for parents, teachers, and professionals, not for current and former sufferers of selective mutism. I don't know why. But I suppose one possible reason is that professionals think selective mutism should be treated by parents, teachers, and professionals, not by themselves. Another reason is that publishers and professionals think many sufferers are young children who can't read difficult books.

Browsing Japanese websites, I sometimes find former sufferers who overcome selective mutism by themselves. Some former sufferers blame current sufferers who don't make enough effort to overcome selective mutism.

I also have had strong interest in how to overcome selective mutism without relying on other people for some reason. I don't know why, but I think Japanese sufferers tend to cope with their disorders by themselves (But at the same time, there are many sufferers who don't take actions to cope with their disorders).

So, I try to write how to overcome selective mutism by myself. But I recommend not trusting in what I write, because I am not a professional. In addition, I don't know whether this method is really effective.

(To be continued)

Must I overcome selective mutism?

2009-06-18T02:52:00.000-07:00

[Regular exam]

My long-term goal was to enter a prestigious college. In order to achieve the goal, at the very least I had to get good grade in regular exam.

I achieved the goal to some extent. I was almost always second or third in my class (about 40 students were in my class). But I could hardly get the top marks. At the top was almost always A, the most beautiful girl in my class. So, one of my goal became to get higher mark than A in regular exam.

Before long A and I got acquainted with each other. I couldn't talk to A since I had selective mutism, but A talked to me. I made friends with her.

[Must I overcome selective mutism?]

When I was sophomore, I became a little wiser.

I wondered whether I should overcome selective mutism (I didn't know selective mutism at that time. I thought I couldn't speak because of my personality. So, to me, overcoming selective mutism meant changing my personality).

It may be odd, but many classmates and teachers had liked me because I had been mute. In addition, as I wrote earlier, I thought my mutism was an identity. So, it was fearful for me to overcome selective mutism. Disappearing mutism meant I lose my identity.

Anyway, I thought I could not afford to overcome selective mutism. I was very busy to study to pass the entrance exam for college.

(To be continued)

Mutism identity

2009-05-27T06:09:00.000-07:00

One Japanese psychiatrist proposed a concept "mutism identity" in his paper (Araki, 1979).

If children with selective mutism continue to be mute, some of them finally think living with mutism is a lifestyle they elect (mutism identity), for instance, "I decided to do nothing to creative until I got to be able to speak. (case 22)"

I can partly sympathize with him. When I had selective mutism, I gradually thought my mutism was an identity.

That was a hindrance for me to overcome my selective mutism, because suppose my mutism was an identity, disappearing mutism meant I lose my identity. So, it was fearful for me to overcome selective mutism.

But I didn't know selective mutism at that time. If I knew I didn't speak because I suffered from an anxiety disorder "selective mutism," maybe I didn't think my mutism was an identy. But I would have thought my mutism was a kind of mental illness that could be treated.

This is just my case. I don't know whether other children or young people with prolonged mutism also think mutism as their identity.

[Reference]

Araki, F. (1979). Some psychopathological observations on mutism originating in childhood. Japanese Journal of Child Psychiatry, 20(5), 290-304.

Index of SM in Japan

"Silent Children - Approaches to Selective Mutism" is translated into Japanese

2009-04-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

Bamen kanmoku heno approach, a new Japanese book and DVD about selective mutism, was published on March 31.

The book is a collection of writings by many authors, such as Chair of Smira (Selective Mutism Information and Research Association), parents, a special education specialist, a professor emeritus at an university, and so on.

And the DVD accompanying the book is the first Japanese DVD devoted to selective mutism, as far as I know.

The book and DVD is a Japanese translation of Silent Children - Approaches to Selective Mutism, written and produced by SMIRA in conjunction with Leicester University Department of Education.

SMIRA is a UK based support group for children with selective mutism, their parents and so on.

* * * * * * * * * *

Also in Japan, there are two support groups established within a few years. Knet, one of them, translated Silent Children with the help of SMIRA.

Until recently, there was only one Japanese book written by professionals that made selective mutism the main theme. The book is Bamen Kanmokuji no Shinri to Shido (Psychology and guidance of children with selective mutism), published in 1994.

In 2007, a Canadian book Helping your child with selective mutism was translated into Japanese and published. Association of Selective Mutism in Japan, another support group in Japan, was concerned in the publication.

In 2008, Knet wrote Bamen kanmoku Q & A (What is Selective Mutism?).

Half of them is translation. I think that is because Japan have few know-how about selective mutism.

Index of SM in Japan

Teachers and classes (2)

2009-04-18T05:11:00.000-07:00

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years

Teachers and classes (2)

* * * * * * * * * *

[Japanese class]

There were two types of Japanese classes. One was contemporary writings. The other was classic literature. My homeroom teacher taught contemporary writings.

As in the case of English classes, teachers assigned us preparation. We had to solve problems about contemporary writings or translate classic language into current one. I did so and read answers and translations I thought in advance when I asked to do so by teachers in class.

[Japanese history class]

As in the case of English classes, keeping the habit of keeping eye contact with teachers, Japanese history teacher also found me and got close to me.

[A PE teacher]

I was surprised to see my PE teacher at the first PE lesson. I had once seen him when I was freshman in high school. He also remembered me.

In addition to selective muitsm, I had some complex. I was weak in sports. But he was interested in me and friendly talked me. He called me "Tomi-chan" with affection. I had not known such a PE teacher.

* chan is a Japanese suffix.
Japanese honorifics
(New window open)

One odd thing for me is that he sometimes talked about love when he talked to me. He sometimes talked about A, the most beautiful girl in my class. It seemed to me that he wanted me to be interested in the opposite sex. I guessed that he saw me as a boy who was deeply interested in study but not in girls. So, maybe he felt anxious for my future. I felt anxious in another way. I was not interested in A. If my classmates heard the conversation, they may think that I loved A. What is worse, if the classmates told A that Tomishige loved A, I was misunderstood even by A.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Teachers and classes (1)

2009-04-12T03:03:00.000-07:00

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years

Teachers and classes (1)

* * * * * * * * * *

Many teachers were concerned with me when I was sophomore. Homeroom teacher, English teacher, Japanese teacher, history teacher, mathematics teacher, etc.

I developed a good relationship with them.

I guessed almost all teachers saw me a hardworking students. In fact, I got high marks in regular exams.

[Homeroom teacher]

My homeroom teacher had a stern look on her face. At first I was afraid of her. But when I get to know her personality, I realized that I misunderstood her.

She seemed to be a veteran teacher. She know well how to lead students to study to pass entrance exams to the Universities.

[English class]

In my high school, there were two types of English lessons. One was reader (lessons in reading English). The other was grammar. In both classes, teachers translated English textbook into Japanese, solved problems in textbook, or explained English grammar.

Teachers assigned us preparation. We had to translate English into Japanese or solve problems in advance. So we did so and wrote translation and answers on our notebooks before English classes began. When teachers asked us to translate textbook or solve problems in class, we read our notebooks.

I also did so. Although I had selective mutism, I could read sentences written on books or notebooks in class in a low voice. In retrospect, that may have been a behavior therapy.

As I wrote earlier, I had been in the habit of keeping eye contact with teachers when I listened in class although I had selective mutism (see Han note, Eye contact, Majime).

Keeping the habit, an Engilsh grammar teacher found me and got close to me. Thanks to my habit of nodding, I could get acquainted with him although I hardly spoke.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Japanese culture and mutism

2009-03-03T05:41:00.000-08:00

Japanese society indulge people who cannot speak well.

Fukuda, K. (1991). Hanashibeta Sayounara. Tokyo: Nippon Jitsugyo Publishing.

I differ from Mr. Fukuda in opinion, but I agree that Japanese society seems to be generous to mute people.

In some cases silence is even a virtue in Japan.

For instance, Ishin-denshin is a word that characterizes Japanese culture. When people can understand each other although they don't talk at all, that is Ishin-denshin. Traditionally, Japanese people have seen Ishin-denshin as a virtue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishin-denshin
(New window open)

One typical advice to Japanese people who are going to English spoken countries is that people in these countries don't understand what you think unless you say it definitely. Japanese people tend to think people guess what they think even if they say nothing.

A proverb "Silence is golden" is also famous among Japanese as Chinmoku ha kin. In addition, there is a similar proverb in Japan Kenja ha mokushite katarazu (Smart people don't speak).

Since Japanese society seems to be generous to mute people, maybe Japanese children with selective mutism don't have severe difficulties as those children in the West. In such society, fewer people view selective mutism as a problem. That may be one reason why fewer researchers study selective mutism in Japan.

But recently virtue of silence has been lost.

And as far as I read from Japanese websites about selective mutism, many former or current sufferers have troubled by the disorder.

Selective mutism is a severe problem also in Japan.

Index of SM in Japan

Hikikomori - Social withdrawal in Japan

2009-02-22T01:10:00.000-08:00

I made a new blog. The theme of the blog is Hikikomori, not selective mutism.

Hikikomori - Social withdrawal in Japan

[What is Hikikomori?]

In a word, Hikikomori is a Japanese term that means social withdrawal in youth.

Hikikomori is a term that represents a condition. Not a clinical entity. The concept and diagnosis of Hikikiomori remains controversial. In a narrow sense, people with mental illnesses, especially schizophrenia and depression, are excluded from Hikikomori. In a broad sense, they are included.

Some say that over 1 million Japanese youth, especially young male, shut themselves in their houses or rooms. But, few Hikikomori people are reported in other countries. So, it is commonly believed that Hikikomori is a unique Japanese phenomenon.

Many Hikikomori people suffered from school refusal earlier in life. They continue refusing to go to school and become Hikikomori. Other Hikikomori people become Hikikomori after they quitted their jobs.

[selective mutism and Hikikomori]

Japanese literature on prognosis of selective mutism shows that some adolescents and adults who suffered (suffer) from selective mutism become Hikikomori. But little is known how many children with selective mutism become Hikikomori later.

Most children with selective mutism are comorbid with any anxiety disorder. The relationship to developmental disorders/delay is also pointed out. More or less, the same can be said for Hikikomori people. It is said that many Hikikomori people have any mental disorders, such as anxiety disorder, developmental disorder, depression, schizophrenia, etc.

Bias

2009-01-26T04:44:00.000-08:00

Some current and former sufferers of selective mutism (and maybe their parents) think various things about selective mutism on the basis of their experiences.

For instance, "I suffered from severe depression as a lasting effect of selective mutism. So, selective mutism in general have severe lasting effects."

"I overcame my selective mutism by myself. So, Everyone can overcome selective mutism by themselves."

But it's impossible to generalize personal experience.

* * * * * * * * * *

View of selective mutism by current and former sufferers (and maybe their parents) may be biased.

Their views are limited. They know their symptoms in detail, but don't necessarily know others' well.

Some become emotional when it comes to selective mutism, because they experienced selective mutism. For instance, if someone say selective mutism is less common in adults than children, how do adults with selective mutism feel?

* * * * * * * * * *

I know the impossibility of generalizing personal experience. But I'm driven by emotion as well as reason. Deep down, I want to generalize my experiences to think selective mutism. But I should follow the dictates of reason.

Of course, if I collect many personal experiences, I may find something in common. That's induction.

Selective mutism and heredity

2009-01-15T04:39:00.000-08:00

I learned of a project that collects DNA samples of parents of selectively mute children. The project is carried out by a research team from University of California.

Existing research literature suggests the heredity factors in selective mutism.

If it becomes clearer that heredity contributes to selective mutism, how will current or former selective mutism sufferers feel? If they get married, their children have the risk of suffering from selective mutism. Some current or former sufferers may hesitate to get married. Some may even hesitate to date with the opposite sex.

Parents may have mixed feeling. Some researchers, especially in Japan, have pointed out that parenting style is a major cause of selective mutism. So, some parents, especially mothers, have a guilty conscience about their parenting style. But if it becomes clearer that heredity contributes to selective mutism, they don't have to suffer from it as they used to do. But they may have another guilty conscience.

Even so, I expect the research team to study the relationship between selective mutism and heredity. I think it's important to elucidate the etiology of selective mutism.

Students sitting near me

2009-01-05T03:02:00.000-08:00

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Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years

Students sitting near me

* * * * * * * * * *

I was promoted to the sophomore. As I wrote my previous post, my desk was in the corner of the classroom.

Students sitting near me was S and M.

S was a boy sitting in front of me. M was a girl sitting next to me. M was my former female classmate. When she and I were in the sixth grade, there was a rumor that she loved me.

At first, I was mute. I didn't talk to anyone. But some time later, S talked to me. I replied in a low voice. As it was the start of the school year, I had drive to speak. And the episode shows I began to overcome selective mutism. We continued to do such things. We gradually become close to each other. I also become close to Z, a friend of S. But I consistently had a passive attitude toward them. I didn't think they were my friends.

On the other hand, I didn't talk to M. Neither did M. But I occasionally asked her to show her textbook with her, because I sometimes forgot my textbooks. One day I thanked her for showing her textbook to me with my awkward way of speaking. M said with sparkling eyes, "Uun, betsu ni. (You're welcome.)" Then she suddenly grasped a friend of her by the arm and dashed out of the classroom very delightedly.

She looked odd when it comes to me.

When I talked to S, I sometimes smiled. M wanted to watch me smiling, probably because when she and I were the same class in elementary school, my selective mutism was so severe that I didn't smile at school. So, when I smiled, M sometimes looked at me. But I didn't want her to see smiling for some reason. When she looked at me, I quickly changed my expression.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Japanese books about selective mutism

2008-12-22T02:19:00.000-08:00

Here are famous Japanese books about selective mutism.

Keiko, K. (Eds.). Kanmokunet (2008). Bamen Kanmoku Q&A --Youchien ya gakkou de oshaberi dekinai kodomo tachi (What is selective mutism? --How to help children who can't talk in school). Gakuensha: Tokyo.

At present this is the newest book about selective mutism written by Japanese. Kanmokunet, the author, is a non-profit organization for children with selective mutism. This book seems to be written for parents rather than professionals. This book comprises of three chapters. Understanding selective mutism, dealing with selectively mute children, and practice of overcoming selective mutism. A lot of columns by parents and former or current sufferes are inserted in the book.

McHolm, E.A., Cunningham, E.C., and Vanier, K.M. (2007). Bamen Kanmokuji he no Shien -- Gakkou de Hanasenai Ko wo Tasukeru tameni (Eiko, K and Keiko, Y, Trans.). Taken Publishing: Tokyo. (Original work published 2005)

This is a Japanese translation of Helping your child with selective mutism.

Yoshifumi, K., & Eiko, K. (1994). Bamen Kanmokuji no Shinri to Shido -- Tannin to Fubo no Kyoryoku no tameni. Taken Publishing: Tokyo.

This was a standard book of reference on selective mutism in Japan until Bamen Kanmokuji he no Shien was published in 2007. And this book is the first Japanese book available to many people on the theme of selective mutism. This book seems to be written for various kinds of people, especially teachers. This book comprises of four chapters. Characteristic of mutism, cause of mutism, diagnosis of mutism, and guidance on dealing with children with selectively mute children. The title of the book can be translated into English as The psychology and guidance about children with selective mutism.

Socially withdrawn children

2008-12-12T05:24:00.000-08:00

I recently made a Japanese blog about socially withdrawn children.

http://swjournal77.blogspot.com/

Social withdrawal is "the consistent (across situations and over time) display of all forms of solitary behavior when encountering familiar and/or unfamiliar peers.(Rubin, Burgess, & Coplan, 2002)"

According to earlier studies, some children withdraw from peer interaction because they are shy even though they would like to engage in social interaction.

I guess many selectively mute children also have social withdrawal. They are too anxious to interact with others. In fact, I have seen many former or current selective mutism sufferers who didn't or don't have friends. And I was not an exception. But I have also seen many former or current sufferers who made friends. Even if they are shy, they don't necessarily avoid interacting with peers. I want to know precisely peer interaction of selectively mute children.

[Reference]

Rubin, K. H., Burgess, K. B., & Coplan, R. (2002). Social inhibition and withdrawal in childhood. In P.K. Smith & C. Hart (Eds), Handbook of Childhood Social Development. London: Blackwell.

New class

2008-12-04T02:51:00.000-08:00

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years

New class

* * * * * * * * * *

[I moved up to SPC]

At the end of the school year, my homeroom teacher told me that I would move up to Special Preparatory Course next school year.

As I wrote earlier, my high school consisted of three courses. Career Course, Preparatory Course and Special Preparatory Course.

Before I entered the high school, I wanted to study in SPC. But my wish was not granted.

But after I enrolled in the school, I studied hard in PC and got good grades on my exams many times. I guess that teachers appreciated me.

[New homeroom teacher]

I was acquainted with two teachers in SPC. One was Ms. O, a young English-language teacher. She was famous as a beautiful teacher. The other was Ms. H, a senior Japanese-language teacher. She had a stern look on her face. Honestly, I liked Ms. O rather than Ms. H. I wanted Ms. O to become my next homeroom teacher.

At the first of the school year, teachers announced new class composition. I was shocked. My homeroom teacher was Ms. H!

While I was afraid of her, I thought I could concentrate on my study to enter college.

[New Classmates]

I hardly saw any familiar faces in the new class. But I found M. M was my former female classmate. When she and I were in the sixth grade, there was a rumor that she loved me. When I entered the classroom, I was surprised. My desk was next to M.

My desk was in the corner of the classroom. The next seat to mine was M. The front seat was S, a male student I first became acquainted with.

S sometimes spoke to me. I managed to whisper to him. As it was the start of the school year, I had drive to speak and change myself. And the episode shows that I began to overcome selective mutism.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

Selective mutism dependence

2008-11-26T05:12:00.000-08:00

Children with selective mutism need support.

But one Japanese selective mutism sufferer said, "People around me do everything instead of me." According to Fujio Araki, M.D., selectively mute children think it's comfortable and advantageous to be mute rather than speak.

[Secondary gain from illness]

If someone suffer from illness or mental disorder but enjoy benefit (receiving kindness or avoiding responsibilities), the benefit is called "(secondary) gain from illness."

According to Araki, when selective mutism motivate people to do something for selectively mute children, children become less anxious and stable in mute. I think that is a gain from illness peculiar to selectively mute children. Araki calls this phenomenon "selective mutism dependence."

For this reason, Araki thinks selectively mute children can't speak as well as don't speak. But I'm a little skeptical about that.

[Motivation to overcome selective mutism]

I guess some selectively mute children lose their motivation to overcome selective mutism. If they remain mute, people around them do everything instead of them. Some people may forgive their mistakes because they are children with special needs. To overcome selective mutism in that situation, they need a strong will power.

* I guess many selectively mute children suffer from lack of understanding, though.

For parents and teachers, it may be difficult to deal with selectively mute children. In order not to lose children's motivation to overcome selective mutism, parents and teachers should be very unkind to to children...? But that may worsen their symptoms.

Of course, I don't believe all selectively mute children are satisfied with gain from illness.

[reference]

Fujio Araki (1979) A classification of mutism originating in childhood.
Japanese Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20(2), 60-78.

Fujio Araki (1979) Some psychopathological observations on mutism originating in childhood. Japanese Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 20(5), 290-304.

Do you make an effort to overcome your selective mutism?

2008-11-16T04:50:00.000-08:00

When Japanese people with selective mutism or former sufferers gather on the Internet, they sometimes argue about whether they made an effort to overcome selective mutism.

People who think they conquered selective mutism by themselves sometimes blame selective mutism sufferers. They think sufferers can't speak because sufferers don't make enough effort. I don't know what they call "effort" but I suppose they meant to say sufferers can overcome selective mutism by themselves if they try hard to speak or mingle with peers.

If people use selective mutism as an excuse for not speaking, some Japanese people say it's amae with contempt. Not only people who don't understand selective mutism, but former sufferers also do.

I'm also a former sufferer. But I don't think sufferers don't make enough effort. I think it's too much to encourage them to speak. They can't speak rather than don't speak because of anxiety. So, it's inappropriate to label them as amaeteiru with contempt. In addition, if someone force sufferers to utter words, sufferers get more anxious, and their symptoms worsen.

Index of SM in Japan

Famous people who once suffered from selective mutism?

2008-11-06T00:41:00.000-08:00

I don't know famous people who once suffered from selective mutism well.

I guess the most famous person is Cho Seung Hui, a South Korean man who committed mass murder at Virginia Tech and suicide in 2007. I have a mixed feeling. Because of the event, a former sufferer of selective mutism became famous and the term "selective mutism" appeared in the media over and over again. But it's mass murder. Massacre.

But in Japan only one newspaper reported the fact that Cho suffered from selective mutism. So, the event didn't raise awareness of selective mutism in Japan.

* * * * * * * * * *

Why don't we know famous people who once suffered from selective mutism?

One possible reason is simply that there are no former selective mutism sufferers who become famous. That means it's extremely difficult for them to become famous.

Another possible reason is that there are many former sufferers who become famous, but it's virtually unknown for some reason.

* * * * * * * * * *

If we know famous people who once suffered from selective mutism, we may be relieved our worries about the disorder or be encouraged.

Selective Mutism Awareness Week in Japan?

2008-10-13T07:03:00.000-07:00

Selective Mutism Information and Research Association (SMIRA), a UK based support group for selective mutism, run Selective Mutism Awareness Week from October 5th to 12th.

According to the website of SMIRA, it did many activities to raise awareness of selective mutism. One effort is working on the media to cover selective mutism. Thanks to the effort, many news articles about selective mutism were published in the UK. You can find articles at http://news.google.com/.

* * * * * * * * * *

A Canadian support group for selective mutism coincided with the campaign. It held a Selective Mutism Awareness Walk.

But no Japanese support group coincided with the campaign, because there are no support groups in Japan that have enough power to run such massive campaign yet. I expect Japanese support groups to conduct such big campaign someday.

Index of SM in Japan

Han note, Eye contact, Majime

2008-10-08T04:28:00.000-07:00

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years

Han note, Eye contact, Majime

* * * * * * * * * *

[Han note]

My homeroom teacher made us write Han note. Han note is a notebook. Han is a Japanese that means group. Our classmates were divided into, as I remember, 5-7 groups. Each members of the groups wrote a diary in rotation.

Although I had selective mutism, I could express my thoughts and feelings in writing. I was a talkative man only in the Han note.

[Eye contact and nodding]

I had been in the habit of keeping eye contact with teachers when I listened in class since early times. Because of the habit, I didn't avoid eye contact although I had selective mutism. That may be a kind of behavioral therapy.

In addition, I began to nod at them. Keeping the habit, an English grammar teacher foud me and got close to me. After I became a sophomore, I still nodded at teachers in class. Similarly, an Engilsh teacher and a Japanese history teacher found me and got close to me. In this way, thanks to my habit of nodding, I could get acquainted with teachers although I hardly spoke.

[Majime]

I was viewed as a very Majime (serious, earnest) person. One former classmate said, "I've never seen such a Majime man!" I don't know whether my selective mutism caused me to be Majime or not.

Here is one story about my Majime personality.

I don't know who clean high school in the US, but in my Japanese high school, students were supposed to clean their school (I guess most Japanese high school students also were). Our classmates were divided into some cleaning groups, and I was assigned to a school entrance group.

I cleaned school entrance eagerly. But other members of the group didn't. They gradually neglected their work. One day I cleaned school entrance by myself. A senior teacher found me and said, "Why do you clean by yourself?" That caused trouble.

(To be continued)

Index of SM story

You're not the only one

2008-10-02T02:53:00.000-07:00

I once asked my mother's advice for my selective mutism. But she said, "I'm also not good at talking. (So, you're not the only one who're not good at talking)"

She didn't understand my selective mutism. She was a reticent person, but hasn't suffered from selective mutism. She confused a reticent child with selectively mute child.

In Japan, when someone is troubled by something and whine about that, people sometimes said to his or her, "You're not the only one who're troubled by such things. Everyone is troubled by and has patience with such things." Some people may add, "Don't be a big baby!"

Such words sometimes ease his or her mind or encourage his or her to bear the hardship. But they also may trivialize his or her difficulty.

In terms of selective mutism, I guess a small proportion of children suffer from such difficulty. So, it's inappropriate to say to selectively mute children, "You're not the only one ..."

But few people understand selective mutism. So, some people may say such a thing to selectively mute children.

Mutismus im Kindes-, Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter

2008-09-17T04:27:00.000-07:00

I bought a German book about selective mutism, Mutismus im Kindes-, Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter. It's a thin book. Only 64 pages.

I have an interest in German literature on selective mutism. As far as I know, German has the longest history of research on selective mutism. In addition, there is a self-help group in German. I guess German specialists have unique know-how on selective mutism.

I bought this book because

a) It's affordable.
b) It's only 64 pages. So, it seems to be easy to read.
c) It deals with adults with selective mutism.

But I can't read German. This book is the first German book I bought. So, when I read the German book, I use Babel Fish to translate German into English. Babel Fish is very useful. But it's a rough translation by a machine translator. It's difficult to read. :(

The book seems to contain fundamental knowledge about selective mutism. It includes many photographs and illustrations, so it's easy to read.

A student with selective mutism was elected class president

2008-09-04T05:31:00.000-07:00

* * * * * * * * * *

Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years

A student with selective mutism was elected class president

* * * * * * * * * *

We held an election for class president in the midst of the school year. In my school the term of a class president is a half year. But no one ran for the election. So, we decided to recommend someone to class president.

To my surprise, one classmates recommended me! Except me, about five classmates were recommended.

I had no confidence in my ability to fulfill my responsibilities as a class president. I was a student with selective mutism.

After that classmates voted candidates, and ballots were counted. As a result, I was elected class president!

It was unbelievable. I thought my classmates must be a poor judge of human character. They elected me probably only because I was at the top of the class.

What was worse, my homeroom teacher said, "I can leave this school without worry as Tomishige was elected class president." She was pregnant and was going to leave school soon.

But anyway, I was elected class president. I vowed I worked hard to fulfill my responsibilities as a class president.

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Class president had to say "Kiritsu"(Stand up,) "Rei(Bow your head to teacher,)" and "Chakuseki (Be seated)" at the beginning and end of a class. But It was a tall order for a student with selective mutism.

I managed to say Kiritsu, Rei and Chakuseki in a small voice. For instance, if I said "Kiritsu(Stand up,)" classmates near me could hear my small voive, but others couldn't. So, classmates near me stood up first. Then, others noticed me saying "Kiritsu," because classmates near me stood up. So, others stood up next although they couldn't hear my small voice. It was odd.

I managed to carry on duties as class president. Fortunately, two vice class presidents supported me well.

But after I became class president, my classmates got slack. I blamed myself. I guessed they elected me probably because they thought I would not be able to show leadership if I became class president. If I can't show leadership, they can slack off.

(To be continued)

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Selective mutism and Taijin kyofusho

2008-08-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

Taijin Kyofusho is a "culturally distinctive phobia in Japan." (DSM-IV) It resembles social phobia or anthrophobia.

I guess many Japanese children with selective mutism are comorbid with Taijin Kyofusho. According to the literature in the West, most children with selective mutism have social phobia. In addition, I've seen former mutism sufferers who seem to have Taijin Kyofusho on the Internet.

But as far as I know, few Japanese researchers point out the relationship between selective mutism and Taijin Kyofusho.

Unlike researchers in the West, Japanese researchers aren't interested in the relationship between selective mutism and anxiety disorder very much. Some Japanese researchers cite the literature in the West and argue most children with selective mutism have anxiety disorder or selective mutism is an anxiety disorder. But as far as I know, none of them research on them by themselves.

Index of SM in Japan

Mazakon

2008-08-10T07:29:00.000-07:00

Mazakon is a Japanese slang originated from a psychological term Mather Complex. Generally infant boys have an attachment to their mothers. But when they arrive at puberty but had an attachment to their mothers yet, they' are viewed as Mazakon with disdain. Most Japanese girls and young women hate Mazakon males.

When boys arrive at puberty, they avoid their mothers. They don't want their mothers to meddle in their affairs. They are at a rebellious age. In addition, if they have close relationships with their mothers, they may be viewed as Mazakon and be disliked by girls. And they may be teased by boys.

As a boy, I also disliked my mother interfering in my affairs when I was in poverty. When she did so, my self-esteem was badly damaged. And I was anxious about my future because I thought my mother's intervention might hinder my independence.

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I don't mean to say Japanese adolescent boys with selective mutism receiving some support from their mothers are Mazakon. But generally they don't want their mothers to interfere with them.

I think they also need some supports from their parents. Children with selective mutism can't encourage people to get proper support by themselves. I suppose they also realize they need supports from their parents although they may resist it.

If possible, it's preferable to lend a helping hand to boys while give attention to their sense of independence. But it's not easy.

If early intervention is made and they overcome selective mutism early in life, mothers don't have to worry about such a thing.

Index of SM in Japan

My teacher

2008-07-22T05:28:00.000-07:00

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Chapter 5 Selective mutism and my high school years

My teacher

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In terms of studying, I got good grades in my high school. A few months after I entered the school, I got 100 marks in an English grammar test. About 600 students in my high school took the test, but only 2 students (including me) got 100 marks. In addition, I most always reached the top of my class.

As far as studying goes, I was an outstanding student in my high school. Many students were good at sports but not studying.

But there was another reason. My homeroom teacher unlocked my potential. She believed my potential and often praised me. I'd never met such a teacher before. Under her direction, I got better grades.

I had a good relationship with her. She appreciated me. I made an effort to live up to her expectations.

One day in Chinese classics class, she taught us a proverb Shutsuran no homare. That means students surpass their teachers. She said, "I want someone to surpass me in future like the proverb." I determined to study hard and to surpass her in future.

But she didn't seemed to see my selective mutism as a problem. One day she had an interview with students' guardians. She also interviewed with my mother and said to her, "Tomishige is no problem!" Being quiet is a virtue in Japan. I guess she thought Tomishige was a good student who was bright and quiet.

(To be continued)

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