Selective Mutism

Does anyone else have this? Even heard of it? I am 99.9% sure I have it, can't be 100% because I'm not a doctor, but I have all of the symptoms. I am 17 years old, and I remember having problems with this in kindergarten. My whole life I was getting in trouble and being made fun of for not talking. People thought I was weird, or sketchy because of it. I do have some really good friends though. I'm just wondering if anyone else has this, and how they deal with it.

It's quite the nuisance, but after weeks of pondering I've been able to understand it more, and have been able to help myself... only a little bit..

 

I never heard of that until you mentioned it and I googled it, but that kinda sounds like me.

 

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Why did you edit your post WanderingSoul? I did read the wiki, but those types of treatment I don't even want to try.

 

Whats wrong with being quiet?

Despite the fact that I'm rather prolific on this forum, I speak little in real life.

Been this way my whole life. When I was a child, I could ride in a car for hours and never say a word. Einstein, one of the greatest minds in modern times didn't speak until he was 5.

We are taught that silence is a virtue. It certainly beats flapping your lips all day and say nothing worthwhile.

Don't worry over this. I assure you, that once you have something to say, you will. And people will listen because you so seldom do.



x

 

Maybe I didn't want people to read how pathetic I am? The types of treatment I mentioned, basically just hanging around someone you're comfortable with around the people you're not exactly comfy with just seems like common sense to me. I wouldn't consider it treatment.

 

I've heard that before, and it's kinda bullshit. I know you're just trying to be nice, but just because we don't speak all the time doesn't mean we don't have anything to say.
For me it's hard to gather my thoughts in social situations because I'm too busy obsessing over shit and it's like I can't access the files (whereas I would be able to in other situations).
But when I'm around my family and other people I'm comfortable around, I say a lot and I'm very opinionated. It's very easy to sort through my thoughts.

I think I just have a bad personality and I don't trust people enough to let them know me. People see right through my facade of confidence. They see straight through to the retard inside.

It's not about being quiet. It's about anxiety and panic.

 

Its about creating your own reality.

Its a skill. Some people lack it. But it doesn't mean its terminal. It can be worked on. Improved over time. Thats what being young is all about.

Keep a few band aids handy and keep going. You don't know the half of life yet.

Don't let phobias stand in your way either.



x

 

xexon it's a lot different than you think. It's not like I am choosing to be this way. It's impossible to just not worry about it. That's like telling someone who can't swim to jump in to a pool. I have to be very comfortable with the person so I can openly talk to them, and it takes a long time to get to that point. I agree that you shouldn't let phobias stand in your way, but it's not that easy to say "hey phobia! you don't exist for me anymore!" It will always be there, you just need to figure out how to live with it, and how to use it to your advantage.

 

Do you realize how common you are?

You're 17. This is one of the things that comes along with your age group. The trouble is you're fixating on a tiny sliver of it. That too is common. You're not done in the oven yet, so you really don't know who you are. That makes you programmable. "(thats why the draft age is what it is)

If you want to BELIEVE you have a disabilty, be my guest. Free will is a damn sharp knife.


x

 

It's been going on for as long as I can remember.

 

Oh, fuck off. This doesn't only happen to kids and teens. I've been dealing with it since I was a kid and I still have some problems.

You might be a "quiet person", but it's not the same thing.

 

And it ain't a disablity dude, it's a (anxiety) disorder. Different stuff.

 

haha... i wish i had this.

my mouth tends to get me in trouble sometimes. =[

 

Hi,
I know what snail and WanderingSoul are talking about.If I'm comfortable with someone I've known for years you can't shut me up but get me in a social situation even with my own family (at certain times)I won't say a word.I'll get all uncomfortable and irratable and I feel real bad.Like what the hell is wrong?Everyone else is having a good time,what's my problem?People suck,I don't wanto be here,I hate everyone!And the more I think about it the more anxiety I feel until I feel like I'm gonna freak out or explode and cry.So I smoke,I spend more time outside than I usually do inside at the social situations.I'm in theraphy and have been in specific groups for what the doctors call "Social anxiety".I have'nt gotten better just worse to be honest.I've had this problem as long as I can remember.It's a real problem not just growing pains,it's been a chronic problem a very serious one.It's an anxiety disorder not just being a teenager.I really have alot to say and won't talk when I really want to,and it sucks! I might add.I don't know if this is exactly what you's are talking about but it sounds similiar.AndI stick with the very few friends I have and am basically a hermit.
Originally Posted by,
WanderingSoul
just because we don't speak all the time doesn't mean we don't have anything to say.
That's Awesome WanderingSoul, TY!
Exactly what I go through.
I have alot to say and it feels like torture not being able to say it.It's very depressing and discouraging,..but I march on anyway and do my best to help myself and be as happy as I can be.Sometimes life is'nt fair.
You gotta deal with the cards you've got. Joey*

 

Wandering - he was only trying to help. there was no reason to fly off the handle. Personally, "labelling" w/o dr's telling you what you have is not healthy., and yes to be quite frank with you if your panic and anxiety is bad enough it can be diagnosed as a disability.


Its all on how you want to deal with it

 

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I don't think I really flew off the handle. I said 'fuck off' once with a few other non-threatening sentences. I will admit to flying off the handle at you in this thread. That I did do.

You know, just because you've had the luxury to see shrinks, doesn't mean I have.

I was the most fucked up, scared, obssessive and rebellious child you could meet, and I stayed that way well into my teens. I was having panic attacks before I was 12. It was obvious I had problems, but my parents never lifted a finger to help.
The only way I could change was to help myself, and I did most of that growing all on my own, without the help of anybody but an old medical book.

The reason I latched onto this being something I have is because I have nearly all of the symptoms. I have been wondering for a while why I have such strong social anxiety that I can barely speak in so many social situations, and still be so blunt and verbal around my family and close friends (and on the internet as you can see), and this seemed to hit the nail on the head.

 

I'm pretty sure my 16 yo neice has this. It's gotten worse, the older she gets. She pretty much doesn't talk at all anymore from what I hear. My lazyass, loser sister does nothing about it. I can't imagine what kind of future she'll have. When school became a problem, my sister started "homeschooling" her-ha.

I hope that all of you who have this problem are able to find help. I don't think it's something you'll outgrow.

 

That sucks. She probably thinks her daughter is doing it on purpose.
Not sure homeschooling will help your niece, but maybe she wants it that way. I sure as hell have taken the easy way out enough.