Selective mutism
Hi, im a 15 year old girl with selective mutism and i wanted to share a tiny bit of my story cause i hope it will help some people understand.
I was diagnosed with selective mutism and social phobia at the age of 6. Before that people just thought i was shy. My parents knew something didnt make sense tho. At home i would be full of energie and never stop talking while most kids at school barley ever heard my voice. It feels like you just freeze in certain situations or with certain people. You want to talk. But cant. Its frustrating and its a constant battle in your head. I still dont understand why i cant speak and im sick of the anxiety. It feels like your stuck in your own head and it starts to drive you insane..You have a voice, but cant use it.
I still have selective mutism and except that its part of me. But i am now learning that it doesnt define who i am.
I hope some people understand a bit now. Im happy to anwser any questions.
Please never force someone with sm to speak tho. That just makes it worse..😔💛
Hi @AnimalLover2004
Thanks for offering to answer questions. I've always been shy and extremely nervous in situations where I don't know people. Are you eventually able to speak to people in school as the year goes on (as you get to know them)? Do you feel the same anxiety here? What I mean is, is it easy for you to chat through message boards like this, but if you and I were to meet in person, you wouldn't be able to speak to me? Do you feel okay texting with people from school even if you can't speak with them?
@thoughtfulmomma sometimes it gets easier to talk other times it doesnt. I do have certain friends i can talk to perfectly fine and normal. When i text with certain people i can feel anxious but most of the time its totally fine. And if we met in person i would probably just smile akwardly and not make eye contact or speak even tho i wanted to.. the anxiety would get so bad id freeze.. If you have any more questions you can ask. I want to raise more awerness..💛
Hi @AnimalLover2004 you are not alone. I'm 18 years old and I too have selective mutism. I can understand how that must make you feel, people thinking that you're just too shy and sometimes most even think that one is not talking deliberately
@rapbattle its nice to know that other people have it too. Cause its not common and stuff💛
Hi,I read your story and I can say the same thing I have sm since I was 5 years old and I have it for many years , now I’m 19 and I overcome sm it was very hard and difficult 😞 I still deal whit bad social anxiety but at least I can talk freely with people and keep conversations. Like I said this is the most painful disorder of all it was *** to me I always thought that I will never speak to people but when I finished school I move on to college and it just started naturally well I was very anxious but I get a little confidence I don’t have real friends and I’m awkward but I’m very proud of myself for not giving up,caring depression,social anxiety and selective mutism and trying to live and be normal is not easy tho.But selective mutism can be overcome it happens just like that.
Hey! I am a counsellor psychologist and i took sessions for 60+ people and i can understand what you are going through , these thoughts makes a lot of confusions in your head and a long time overthinking can sometimes gives you serious things so you can connect with me anytime i am always there to hear you LOL for any query you can ask me anything
@AnimalLover2004
Thank you for sharing your story with us 💙 what stuck with me is the way you described wanting to speak, but feeling physically unable to do so. That sounds like it can be so frustrating && isolating to feel stuck in your own thoughts, even if you want to express yourself☹️
But, I really think it's very powerful that you've reached a point where you're recognizing that selective mutism is something you experience, not who you are as a person 💙 That level of self acceptance is not always easy to achieve!
Looking back on your journey, what do you believe has helped you the most in achieving that mindset?
