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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It is important to share our stories of living with Selective Mutism or any other condition. Sharing helps create a community and raises awareness for SM. It lets other people see that they are not alone in their struggles, and we can support them through difficult times. Sharing our stories can break the stigma around mental health. By sharing, we are showing people that we do not have to be ashamed of our mental illness. Sharing our story can bring healing to our own lives. (This is a great article our sharing your story!)
So, I am introducing a new page on the SMAware website! You can read other's stories or share your own story of living with Selective Mutism or another Mental Illness. If you want to share your story there is a lot of freedom and flexibility, but here are some basic guidelines for sharing your story.
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