The silence that comes from SM is an absence of sound and is quiet, but it is not peaceful or tranquil or calm. My silence comes from the opposite. There is nothing peaceful about having an anxiety disorder. It can be terrifying. My mind is definitely not silent. In my experience, this word can mean the exact opposite of what the dictionary and many people say it is. I often hear that "silence is golden". Sure, being a good listener is a good trait to have. Being able to listen well has helped me, but having a difficult time talking is frustrating and unhelpful.
I would advise people be careful about what they say about people with Selective Mutism. I had a lot of people growing up asking me why I was so quiet as if I would magically be able to respond to them. Often, they mistook it for me being sweet and innocent especially as I began talking. Not that those characteristics were wrong, but they were wrong about my silence. -Ellie This story was republished on The Mighty! www.themighty.com/2019/01/silence-selective-mutism-not-what-you-think
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