Elective Mutism: Nature and Characteristics

Abstract

Spieler (cited in Salfield, 1950) identified three major types of psychogenic mutism: hysterical mutism, elective mutism and idiogenic mutism. Schizophrenic mutism, a fourth type, was added by Salfield (1950). Mutism may occur in schizophrenia but it is accompanied by withdrawal, lack of affect, catatonic features, and deterioration in habits. Hysterical mutism is the unconscious expression of an emotional problem in a physical symptom. In this case, the problem is expressed in mutism. In hysterical, and even in schizophrenic mutism, children have surprised their parents by speaking in emergency situations. Idiogenic mutism is a rare condition in which the patient imagines that the speech organs are diseased.