Case Report

Treatment Complexity in a Twin Adolescent Pair with Selective Mutism: A Case Report

Volume: 46 Number: 2 June 29, 2024
TR EN

Treatment Complexity in a Twin Adolescent Pair with Selective Mutism: A Case Report

Abstract

Selective Mutism (SM) is a disorder characterized by the individual's persistent inability to speak in specific social situations (e.g., school) where speech is expected, even though the individual is able to speak in other situations. It is a rare anxiety disorder and is often seen in children between the ages of 4-8. The presence of SM in family members is important in terms of both etiology and clinical course. While family burden is a factor that increases the incidence of SM, according to some research results, the clinical symptoms of twin cases diagnosed with SM are more severe than those of non-twins. A positive family history negatively affects the prognosis of SM and increases resistance to treatment. In this article, the diagnosis and treatment process of 14-year-old monozygotic twin adolescents who have been followed up with the diagnosis of SM for a long time will be discussed. The main treatment methods for SM are medication and psychotherapy. It is known that psychotherapeutic interventions in particular vary depending on individual differences. The most important purpose of this article is to draw attention to the differences in treatment interventions of twin SM cases and to evaluate the clinical features of the cases in the light of the literature.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Ethical Statement

Written informed consent for the presentation and publication of the case was obtained from the patients and their parents on the condition that the patients' anonymity must be preserved.

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the patients and their family for collaborating in the study.

References

  1. American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). 5th ed. Arlington (VA): American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
  2. Hua A, Major N. Selective mutism. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2016;28(1):114-120. doi:10.1097/MOP.0000000000000300
  3. Dogru H, Ucuz I, Uzun Cicek A, Comertoglu Arslan S. Clinical characteristics according to sex and symptom severity in children with selective mutism: a four-center study. Nord J Psychiatry. 2023;77(2):158-164. doi:10.1080/08039488.2022.2146748
  4. Viana AG, Beidel DC, Rabian B. Selective mutism: a review and integration of the last 15 years. Clin Psychol Rev. 2009;29(1):57-67. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2008.09.009
  5. Remschmidt H, Poller M, Herpertz-Dahlmann B, Hennighausen K, Gutenbrunner C. A follow-up study of 45 patients with elective mutism. Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2001;251(6):284-296. doi:10.1007/pl00007547
  6. Smith-Schrandt HL, Ellington E. Unable to Speak: Selective Mutism in Youth. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2018;56(2):14-18. doi:10.3928/02793695-20180122-04
  7. Oerbeck B, Overgaard KR, Stein MB, Pripp AH, Kristensen H. Treatment of selective mutism: a 5-year follow-up study. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018;27(8):997-1009. doi:10.1007/s00787-018-1110-7
  8. Segal N. 'Two' quiet: monozygotic female twins with selective mutism. Clin Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2003;8(4):473-488. doi:10.1177/13591045030084005

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Mental Health Services

Journal Section

Case Report

Publication Date

June 29, 2024

Submission Date

April 4, 2024

Acceptance Date

May 31, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 46 Number: 2

AMA
1.Şireli Ö, Pakoz SM, Soyhan M, Mercan Işık C, Abanoz E, Uzun Çiçek A. Treatment Complexity in a Twin Adolescent Pair with Selective Mutism: A Case Report. CMJ. 2024;46(2):152-155. doi:10.7197/cmj.1464394