- Explain to patients that selective mutism, with which Virginia Tech shooter Seung Hui Cho was diagnosed, is a near-paralyzing inability to speak in certain social situations.
- Explain that despite its name, selective mutism is non-voluntary and is a symptom of severe social anxiety disorder, but is not typically associated with violent behaviors.
RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 30 -- The Virginia Tech massacre might have been prevented if university authorities had heeded "clear warnings of mental instability" from the shooter, found a state review panel report issued today.
The summary of the report, by a panel appointed by Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, began with a stark statement of the facts:
"On April 16, 2007, Seung Hui Cho, an angry and disturbed student, shot to death 32 students and faculty of Virginia Tech, wounded 17 more, and then killed himself."
The report goes on to document in exhaustive and painstaking detail Cho's history of mental health problems, which were recognized in childhood. He received psychiatric treatment and counseling for depression and selective mutism, a symptom of a larger severe social anxiety disorder.
