This month is Selective Mutism Awareness Month. I was diagnosed with selective mutism about 6 years ago and I still suffer from it today. Not many know what selective mutism is or that it even exists at all. That's why I'm going to share some information about it as well as my own personal experience with it.
What is selective mutism? Selective mutism is a social anxiety disorder in which somebody who is normally capable of speaking is unable to do so in certain situations or around certain people. The word "selective" can be somewhat misleading as they do not select when they are mute. That is something out of their control.
How is selective mutism diagnosed? The diagnosis criteria for selective mutism is as follows:
1. Consistent failure to speak in specific social situations (in which there is an expectation for speaking, e.g., at school) despite speaking in other situations.
2. The disturbance interferes with educational or occupational achievement or with social communication.
3. The duration of the disturbance is at least 1 month (not limited to the first month of school).
4. The failure to speak is not due to a lack of knowledge of, or comfort with, the spoken language required in the social situation.
5. The disturbance is not better accounted for by a Communication Disorder (e.g., stuttering) and does not occur exclusively during the course of a Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Schizophrenia, or other Psychotic Disorder. What are other symptoms of selective mutism? • Excessive shyness
• Fear of social embarrassment
• Social isolation and withdrawal
• Social phobia / Fear of talking
• Difficulty maintaining eye contact
• Stiff and awkward movements
• Difficulty expressing feelings
• Desire for routine and dislike of changes
• Sensitivity of noises and crowds
How does selective mutism affect daily life? Selective mutism increases the difficulty of tasks that require speaking. Working in groups, presenting, talking on the phone, and asking for help are all examples of tasks that become extremely difficult to do. Selectively mute people also have trouble with their social lives. If the disorder continues into adulthood, it could also make finding a job harder.
Common misconceptions about selective mutism Selective mutism is a fear of talking. This is not true. While a fear of talking can be a symptom of selective mutism, it is not the description of selective mutism. Remember, selective mutism is a mental disorder, not a phobia.
Selective mutism is a choice. No! If you are choosing not to talk, it is not selective mutism. Selective mutism is as if you are physically incapable of talking in a certain situation.
Selectively mute people are introverts. Some may be introverts, but some are actually extroverts! Some selectively mute extroverts, like myself, want to talk, be can't.
Selectively mute people are less intelligent than others. False. Many with this disorder actually have above-average intelligence and are more creative and empathetic.
What's my story? When I first started school, I was such a talkative child. I had lots of friends and was generally happy. Around 4th grade, I had stopped talking at school. I wanted to, of course, but I couldn't seem to do it. My teachers had became concerned and notified my parents. In 5th, I was diagnosed with selective mutism and started seeing my counselor about it. I was able to answer questions and give presentations in class, but it was still hard to have conversations with others. My family moved after a few months into my 6th grade year and I no longer saw anybody about my selective mutism.
Now that I'm a junior in high school, my selective mutism has worsened. I now have anxiety attacks in class whenever I have to speak. I am only able to talk to two people I am friends with and even then, I still have difficulty having full conversations. I am unable to participate in class, which hurts my grade. I have to work extra hard to have straight A's and pick my grade up when it drops due to my inability to participate.
I am pressured by my parents to get a job and I dread the god forsaken interview I would have to go through. I have to put extra work into everything I do to make sure my needs are taken into consideration. Yet I still worry I won't be able to have a good job as an adult because of my disorder. My parents refuse to put me in therapy or even see a doctor about it.
As much as I would love to talk again, I know I won't be able to get over my selective mutism until I have my own money to pay for therapy. Until then, I want to make sure I can be able to get an education without the constant pressure to speak. This is why selective mutism needs more attention because I know I am not the only one struggling with this.
Feel free to ask me any questions about selective mutism. And please spread awareness! Use social media to get selective mutism known.
If you would like to read about selective mutism, two sites I recommend are: [
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