What treatment is available for someone nineteen years old who has great difficulty expressing her needs to anyone?
As you probably know, most cases of Selective Mutism are due to severe social phobia. It sounds as if your niece was never really engaged in any treatment for SM or social phobia. My recommendation would be to see a physician or therapist who specializes in anxiety disorders for a formal diagnosis. They can also initiate treatment. Cognitive behavior therapy, performed by a trained therapist, is an excellent form of treatment for severe anxiety. In addition, medication is used often for social phobia. The best approach for your niece would probably be a combination of medication and behavioral modification. I would investigate this if I were you. Your niece is not a small child, so you cannot force her to go for therapy. You can only make recommendations and encourage her. Good luck! Back to Ask the Doc Archives Dr.
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