Can You Develop Selective Mutism At The Age Of 15?

[CandyClarissa30]

Enter Further Question Details HerI know everyone says that it is uncommon, but not unheard of however, I cant find any examples. I have always been socially anxious but suddenly I have just stopped talking everywhere other than my home. Its like the words just cant come out and its affecting my whole life. Other than my age, I have all the symptoms - could I have Selective Mutism?

[saxy_jag]

I used to work in a special school and when I started there was a fifteen year old in my class who was an elective mute. The staff who knew him better than I did said it had begun to develop more or less at the same time as puberty. Sometimes, in a more intimate setting, when he was working 1:1 with staff he knew well and felt confident with, he would utter the occasional and very softly spoken word, although he had been witnessed yelling at the top of his voice once when another staff member saw him by chance at a rugby match.

I should say this lad had some learning disabilities, was epileptic and the only one of two hearing members of his deaf family (two brothers and father were deaf). The deafness issue was thought to be a major contributor to his mutism.

[Buenchico]

I had a lad in my class, at around your age, who never said a word to anyone. He wouldn't even answer his name when I called the register. I was amazed to find out that he chatted freely to his parents and neighbours, and that he'd conversed normally at school earlier in his life.

I suggest writing to your doctor about the problem (since talking to him/her, at the surgery, is bound to be a problem for you). A decent doctor should be prepared to visit you at home (or to get a specialist to do so). If you don't get any help though, don't just give up. You might find literally shouting out difficult but that shouldn't prevent you from metaphorically doing so (via letter and emails). Keep pushing for help until you get it!

Remember as well though, that hormonal changes mean that many teenagers find odd things going on in their lives. It might be 'just a phase' which you'll possibly 'grow out of' anyway.

Chris