Whenever I get upset (or anxious), I have a very difficult time speaking and I've actually become mute a couple of times. Often it isn't because I don't want to speak; I'm just unable to make the sounds. I'm forming the words in my mind but I can't articulate them. And I keep being bombarded with questions or someone will try to comfort me with touch and I panic and shut down further. And I have no way of indicating that they need to leave me alone for a while because I can't communicate.

And I don't understand how I can be fine one day and then have a severe depressive episode for about 24 hours or so, then be fine again. I tend to become mute and/or unresponsive during those times too, but it seems to last longer than the anxiety/panic "episodes".

How do I communicate that I need to be left alone when I'm unable to communicate. How do you explain when touching me is an inappropriate response to my distress (because it isn't always). I don't know if I can even give a hand signal because I usually try to not move or give eye contact or anything when I've become temporarily mute. I'm just desperately hoping they'll just go away and leave me alone but there's no way to communicate that.

I've been told I've been acting like a 10-year-old. I just want it to stop.