Selective mutism

Hi,
im sixteen year old and im very shy and always have been i have reciently realised that i used to have selective mutism as a kid, i would never talk 2 adults or my teachers and i have only ever been able to be friends with a few children and in small groups as a result i have been bullied all the way through secondary school and i have no confidence and it has left me with feeling depressed at times, lonely and also having OCD and hating my appearance.My dad also left me and my mum when i was 12 as he had lots of affairs and i no longer see him, I really really miss him although i dont tell any 1 that, im scared of seeing him again as i wont no what 2 say to him. His affairs have also left me with trust issues. I still get very anxios about meeting new people and try to avoid it as much as possible im no good with having convosations with people i dont no and just freak out go red and feel very sick. I always feels as though people will laugh at me if i talk and i find it difficult to get words out on the spot without knowing what im going to say before. Im in my last year of school and my classes are often having group discusions where everyone talks, i dont say i word they must think im sooo wierd. Im starting my A levels next year and will have to move to college which im very scared about as i will have 2 meet new people.The job i would like would also imvolve a lot of socilising and meeting new people. Ive heard selective mutism is quite rare so and would really like to hear from anybody else who may have it? And also some advise, please help

Hey Mell, I have had SM since the age of two, and still have it to this day. Even though the remedies have not worked for me, I know many people who did well.

What I mean by remedies, is not some miracle drug, but personal therapy and possible medications. Selective Mutism is mostly in result of social anxiety. The way you describe yourself, this is the case for you as well.

The way you are treating yourself though, may bring you in the category of "Avoidant Personality Disorder"; which is basically extended social anxiety.

SM isn't as rare as you may think. If you can, check out selectivemutism.org. There, it talks about SM in children, adolescents and adults.

If you can, you should look for help as soon as you can. Switching schools can either a.) Be helpful or b.) Make things worse. Contact your school counselor, or go to your guardian, and ask where you can go.


Panic