Major Depressive Episode and Mutism

I'm currently in the middle of a major depressive episode. I've had them multiple times before and during these episodes, I am quite quiet and withdrawn although I still spoke when asked a question directly. However, during this episode (only three days so far..) I haven't said a word. I can't even make any natural facial expressions without forcing myself to. When I'm sat down I just stare at one spot and barely move. Although I am still walking around and doing things like making a cup of tea, smoking, etc as I'm forcing myself to, even if I do it awfully slowly.. Anyone else have any experience of this? I've looked it up but I can only find pages on 'Selective Mutism' and nothing about mutism during the course of a depressive episode. Any help?

Trix

Hi, Manipulative! How long do these episodes last? It sounds like it's coming with the depression and it will go with it as well (we're not professionals here though, sorry if I'm wrong). When I was really depressed, I found talking, making facial expressions and doing everyday stuff challenging too and it's like I was in another world, not sure if it's the same thing.
Have you tried making yourself be around people and fresh air a bit, in the sunshine? It might help.

Hi, yes I have this. I believe it is severe dissociation to the point of almost becoming catatonic. I dissociate in that way when emotions are overwhelming & feeling them would be incompatible with staying alive. It's my brains automatic defence mechanism. X

First time i was hospitalized i had something similar as well. I didn't move outside the most necessary actions and even that was hard. I could lie in bed and thirst for hours simply cause getting up and walking 10 steps was tough to motivate myself to. Movements were slow, speech was monotone and eyes staring blankly into space. All those things are in my experiences quite common with medium to severe depressions, allthough i haven't found it written many places either.

I too believe what i felt was a dissociative period, like Kerry said, as things were sort of on 'autopilot' and i'd stare into space for hours without being aware of surroundings or time. Is it the same with you or just altered behavior?

Hi there
I know it's a while since you posted your piece, but i am going through a very similar experience right now except i've not been able to speak for 3weeks!
I've had numerous depressions as you have, and my diagnosis is Major Depressive Disorder..i've had periods in the past when i've felt unable to talk for maybe 5 days...but never experienced it for this length of time and also never alongside the actual depression.
I have been googling for some info and experiences as you did, but found nothing at all...your post was the first written thing i could relate to.
My body always slows down considerably...i shuffle about like i'm in my 90s, everything i pick up feels triple it's weight..and i find myself staring into space for ages or collapsed in the chair bent over on my knees. A psychiatrist used the term Psychomotor Retardation with me a few years back..it's not a nice term...but it does explain perfectly how i am feeling physically..and also mentions how speech can be affected but doesn't mention mutism.
Can i ask how long you continued through that episode to have difficulty talking? How did it get better? If it got better?
I'm not on any medication and am very reluctant to take it for a number of reasons...but i have a feeling it will be my only way out of this..it's just getting worse and i feel so terribly isolated and hopeless.
I hope you are recovered now...and i'd love to hear from anyone else who can relate to my situation in any way.
Health and good wishes
Jo xx

Thanks all for the posts and I apologise as I didn't realise this post had been here for so long!

I do think there is some form of dissociation in there somewhere.

Jo; The episode carried on for little over two weeks but I was placed on different medications temporarily to sort it out. The phrase 'psychomotor retardation' doesn't sound like a nice phrase but it does describe a lot of the behaviour and movement exhibited with more severe types of depression. Medication may be your only way but it doesn't have to be permanent. In my case I've now been put on permanent medication but that's due to other symptoms and not down to the major depressive episode. I hope you're out of it now as it's been nearly another three weeks on top of the three weeks you've already gone through.

Trix.
xoxo.

Hey Manipulative! How have you been feeling?

Hey Jasmin! I've been okay. I've just finished a ten week group therapy programme today, which was 3 two hour sessions a week! It was intense but I think it helped a bit in regards to my depressive symptoms. I've also made some good friends, even though they're a lot older than me! How have you been?

yes I have had mutism from depression before. It was all I could do to answer a question with a single word, even that was a struggle.