Which disorder is characterized by a refusal to speak in certain situations?

Selective Mutism is the disorder characterized by a consistent inability to speak in specific social situations, despite speaking in other settings, such as at home with family members. This condition typically manifests in children, usually before the age of five, and can lead to significant impairments in social communication and academic performance. The key feature of Selective Mutism is the discrepancy between the ability to speak in comfortable environments versus the refusal to speak in more anxiety-provoking situations, highlighting the interplay between social anxiety and communication.

Other disorders listed do involve anxiety and communication issues but differ significantly in their primary characteristics. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder primarily features unwanted intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, Generalized Anxiety Disorder is marked by excessive worry across multiple areas of life, and Panic Disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks accompanied by fear of future attacks. None of these directly involve the selective refusal to speak in certain contexts, which is the hallmark of Selective Mutism. Hence, the correct identification of Selective Mutism is crucial for understanding this unique communication disorder within the context of psychiatric classifications.