[fijiisland]

I had SM as a child but I don't think there was a name for it back then. I thought I was the only one in the world with this.

I am in my 40's now and still have problems. I have depression, anxiety, very low self esteem and it seems to be getting worse. I don't have any support in my life and hardly any friends.

The only person I ever told that I had SM was my ex husband who just made fun of me and acted like I am some kind of psychopath.

I can see why I had it based on my parents and how they act and are. They were very controlling and told me I could do nothing and that everything was bad. I was very bored as a child and didn't have many friends.

[growlycat]

You aren't alone! I'm in my 40's too and had what was called "elective mutism" back in the day. It started with adults I didn't trust then it got worse and I barely spoke to my parents and other kids my age. That problem went away with a school change but I was still shy.

I have had a lot of good therapy and it does help. I still have anxiety issues but I'm working on it. I've seen others on PC with selective mutism in their past. It isn't a joke. I hope you can get someone to educate your boyfriend a bit more.

[joshuas-mommy]

Originally Posted by fijiisland

I had SM as a child but I don't think there was a name for it back then. I thought I was the only one in the world with this.

I am in my 40's now and still have problems. I have depression, anxiety, very low self esteem and it seems to be getting worse. I don't have any support in my life and hardly any friends.

The only person I ever told that I had SM was my ex husband who just made fun of me and acted like I am some kind of psychopath.

I can see why I had it based on my parents and how they act and are. They were very controlling and told me I could do nothing and that everything was bad. I was very bored as a child and didn't have many friends.

I had that during my adolescence. It was horrible when I was at school. I think it related more to my social anxiety than my the way my parents raised me.