Whisper - Sign of Anxiety

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Home : 2004 : November : 19

Whisper - Sign of Anxiety
By Joan/Ca

and another says she's afraid to talk above a whisper...why is that? She can't say....

Dear pjm:

I belong to a support group for children with anxiety disorders. The above example is a very common sign of anxiety
- anxiety meaning "intense distress". Anxiety is usually an inherited trait and is the result of a chemical imbalance in the brain. This child probably suffers from Selective Mutism (mutism does not need be total silence; often whispering is the mode of communication) and/or Social Phobia. And no, she will not understand why she is unable to speak in a more normal voice. Actually, when

her anxiety lessens, then this child will be able to communicate in a more normal fashion. Recent research indicates that the vocal chords actually tighten, due to this extreme distress, and thus the child is physically unable to speak at all or only to speak in a whispher.

Please check out the following internet site - "selectivemutism.org". If this child is whispering, then the severity of her anxiety is less severe. But, with proper intervention and teaching strategies, you can make life much more palateable for this young lady.

If you think that I can be of help, please e-mail me. Good Luck -

Joan/Ca