Selective mutism help cases rise by 70% in the epidemic

Under the epidemic, young children have been taking online classes for a long time. They are usually lively and cheerful at home. When they go back to school to teach face-to-face classes again, they become reticent in the face of teachers and classmates, just like the performance of a light switch for a period of time, then the children may suffer from "selective". Mutism".

Cheng Yingxian, founder and president of the Hong Kong Selective Silence Association, said that the number of requests for help for "selection mutism" has risen from more than 30 a month before the epidemic to more than 50 a month now.

She emphasized that "selective muteness" is not uncommon, and according to foreign studies, 2 years, 7 months and 4 years and 5 months are the peak periods of onset of the disease, and she urged children to receive treatment in the golden period before the age of 5.

Cheng Yingxian, founder and president of the Hong Kong Selective Silence Association, said that the number of requests for help for "selection mutism" has risen from more than 30 a month before the epidemic to more than 50 a month now.

(Photo/File photo by Ou Jiale)

"Children are reluctant to remove their masks after 6 hours in school, and they are not willing to eat the wild. It is expected that they can remove their masks after the epidemic, but many children are reluctant to remove their masks. Instead, they feel that removing the masks is bad, as if we were wearing shoes and socks. They don't feel safe wearing the same clothes." Affected by the epidemic, along with various epidemic prevention regulations, after students return to school, they are "isolated" from their classmates, and the school begins to become unfamiliar.

Children begin to feel anxious about the "different" environment around them.

Zheng also pointed out, "There are school children who urinate because they can't open their mouths to go to the toilet and need to return to school to bring diapers." If the children are in a normal state at home, but they cannot establish normal social life when they return to social life, they need to speak in specific situations where they need to speak. He didn't open his mouth to speak, the state of being at home and the state of being outside were two different people, "turning off the lights and turning on the lights" like a lighting system, and if the situation lasted for more than a month (except for the first month of school), then the children had the chance to suffer from "" Selective mutism".

Taiwan survey reveals that one out of every 140 elementary school students will suffer from the disease

Zheng Yingxian pointed out that the number of cases of "chosen schizophrenia" has risen from more than 30 a month before the epidemic to more than 50 a month now, that is, the number of cases has increased by nearly 70%.

According to foreign studies, 2 years and 7 months and 4 years and 5 months are the peak periods of disease onset.

Cheng said that "selection dysphoria" is not uncommon. A survey in Taiwan shows that one out of every 140 primary school students suffers from "selection dysphoria", and urged children to receive treatment during the golden period before the age of five.

However, due to the epidemic, parents have missed the opportunity to check their children's physical and mental development at the Maternal and Child Health Center. In addition, children lack kindergarten education. Even if the time for online classes is short, the teacher's observation of the children is reduced, and only the children in front of the camera can be seen. Failure to assist parents in early detection of abnormal child development affects patients' chances of receiving treatment.

Dream analyst and hypnotherapist Lu Ziguan believes that dreams can help parents understand children's inner feelings and identify children's difficulties early.

He said that many dreams are formed by stress, and most of children's dreams are straightforward. Therefore, by analyzing the plot of dreams, we can understand the source of abstract emotional feelings.

(Photo by Huang Xuzhi)

Dream analyst and hypnotherapist Lu Ziguan believes that dreams can help parents understand children's inner feelings and identify children's difficulties early.

He said that many dreams are formed by stress, and most of children's dreams are straightforward. Therefore, by analyzing the plot of dreams, we can understand the source of abstract emotional feelings.

For example, if a child is under external pressure, that is, learning oppression and difficulty in social interaction, it is usually reflected in chasing dreams; if a child is under internal pressure, that is, pressure from self-requirements and failing to meet parents’ requirements, it is usually reflected in falling dreams, etc.

Family therapy and social worker Huang Jiahui said that parents should guide and demonstrate social interaction to build children's sense of security.

Parents should also help children cope with anxiety, try to describe their innermost feelings, and accompany children through their emotions.

At the same time, let children learn to regulate their emotions by themselves, instead of going out of control.

Family therapy and social worker Huang Jiahui said that parents should guide and demonstrate social interaction to build children's sense of security.

(Photo by Huang Xuzhi)

Research reveals that Hong Kong people have low awareness of selective mutism. 2 to 5 years old is a golden period for treatment. 70% of kindergarten teachers have encountered selective mutism. Child experts: recognize the two symptoms of children being silent or selective mutism is difficult to heal on its own. Early treatment is advisable | Ms Wincy is afraid to answer questions for fear of talking to strangers, not just being shy