Sandara Park of the K-pop group 2NE1 recently shared that renowned psychiatrist Dr. Oh Eun-young diagnosed her with "selective mutism." The revelation came during an appearance on the YouTube channel Jo Hyun-ah’s Ordinary Thursday Night, in an episode highlighting her career milestones from her early days in the Philippines to her work with 2NE1.
On the show, Sandara Park explained that her vibrant onstage persona contrasts sharply with her everyday life. "I’m usually quiet and very shy around strangers," she said. "Dr. Oh Eun-young told me it’s selective mutism." Reflecting on her past struggles, she added, "I learned that in situations where I suddenly think, 'What should I do?', I completely shut down."
This anxiety heavily impacted her early television career. "When someone with this condition appears on variety shows, they struggle. Early on, there were comments saying I was just functioning as background scenery," she recalled. Show host Jo Hyun-ah sympathized with her, noting how difficult that experience must have been.
Understanding Selective Mutism
Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder characterized by a person's inability to speak in specific social situations, despite being fully capable of speaking and understanding language in comfortable environments. It is distinct from ordinary shyness or a deliberate choice to remain silent. When placed under intense discomfort or psychological pressure, individuals experience an overwhelming mental block that makes vocalization incredibly difficult, forcing them into silence.
The condition typically manifests in childhood between the ages of 3 and 6. Children with selective mutism often speak fluidly and comfortably at home but remain entirely silent outside the household, particularly at school. While childhood cases are frequently influenced by a mix of temperamental traits and parenting dynamics, adult onset is exceptionally rare. In adults, such symptoms are typically triggered by severe stress or acute psychological trauma, which can lead to profound language barriers like mutism or aphasia.
Risks and Treatment Options
Medical experts emphasize that prompt intervention is crucial when the condition is identified at an early age. Although some individuals naturally improve as they mature, leaving selective mutism untreated can severely hinder academic progress and social development. Affected children are at a higher risk of experiencing communication barriers, developing unclear pronunciation, and becoming targets for social isolation or teasing.
When symptoms persist, patients are advised to seek professional support, which often includes behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, or targeted medication. For school-aged children, a formal clinical diagnosis of selective mutism is typically made when the inability to speak persists for more than one month, excluding the initial one-month adjustment period common when entering a new school environment.
