OBJECTIVE: A pilot study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fluoxetine treatment for children with selective mutism (elective mutism in DSM-III-R). METHOD: Twenty-one children (mean age 8.2 years, range 5 through 14) participated in a 9-week open trial of fluoxetine in graduated doses (mean end dose 28.1 mg, range 10 to 60 mg) with systematic baseline and outcome evaluations and weekly clinical assessment. RESULTS: All 21 children met DSM-III-R and DSM-IV criteria for anxiety disorders. After fluoxetine treatment, 76% were improved, with diminished anxiety and increased speech in public settings, including school. Improvement at week 9 was inversely correlated with age. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent selective mutism presenting with comorbid anxiety disorders may respond to fluoxetine treatment.
OBJECTIVE: A pilot study was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of fluoxetine treatment for children with selective mutism (elective mutism in DSM-III-R). METHOD: Twenty-one children (mean age 8.2 years, range 5 through 14) participated in a 9-week open trial of fluoxetine in graduated doses (mean end dose 28.1 mg, range 10 to 60 mg) with systematic baseline and outcome evaluations and weekly clinical assessment. RESULTS: All 21 children met DSM-III-R and DSM-IV criteria for anxiety disorders. After fluoxetine treatment, 76% were improved, with diminished anxiety and increased speech in public settings, including school. Improvement at week 9 was inversely correlated with age. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent selective mutism presenting with comorbid anxiety disorders may respond to fluoxetine treatment.
Authors: Scott N Compton; Tara S Peris; Daniel Almirall; Boris Birmaher; Joel Sherrill; Phillip C Kendall; John S March; Elizabeth A Gosch; Golda S Ginsburg; Moira A Rynn; John C Piacentini; James T McCracken; Courtney P Keeton; Cynthia M Suveg; Sasha G Aschenbrand; Dara Sakolsky; Satish Iyengar; John T Walkup; Anne Marie Albano Journal: J Consult Clin Psychol Date: 2014-01-13