Overcoming selective mutism

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  • čas přidán 1. 09. 2012
  • This is my story on how I overcame the biggest challenge in my life. I suffered from select mutism for 9 years, not saying a single word to anybody at school. I would like to ask all who come across this video to please share it with anyone who has selective mutism or has a friend or family member with it. Thanks!

Komentáře • 145

  • @evijalagz58
    @evijalagz58 Před 3 lety +15

    I'm praying this will help. I feel like it's running my life. It's so painful.

    • @vex3445
      @vex3445 Před 11 měsíci

      did it work

    • @HandsomeBaconBoi
      @HandsomeBaconBoi Před měsícem

      Do you still have it? I have it since kindergarten/when I was born and feel the same way about it, can't make a single friend and its about the time in my life where you need to have friend to be there for you when your sad and all that because teenage years can be dramatic. Do you have any tips, I know its been 3 years since you made this comment

  • @SquareOne4242
    @SquareOne4242 Před rokem +4

    I am a teacher and have a student in my class who is selective mute. This video has helped me to understand them a lot better. Thank you for sharing your story, and giving me some insight into how they may be feeling.

  • @omarcorrea
    @omarcorrea Před 8 lety +27

    You're awesome, thank you for sharing your story. You're going to help a lot of people

  • @gingerobyn
    @gingerobyn Před 8 lety +9

    Congratulations on overcoming this with so much determination and confidence. Thank you for sharing your story. I'm a therapist and it's helpful to hear first hand accounts of the experience.

  • @opencurtin
    @opencurtin Před 8 lety +22

    I find it very hard to speak in social situations because of severe bulling in school , my self esteem was destroyed I was dyslexic but no one knew what it was back then so I got mocked for 5 years every day by teachers and students I really dont know how I did not do away with my self Toxic shame is an awful thing..

    • @grumpybryno3479
      @grumpybryno3479 Před 4 lety

      talking isent for everyone u know, i eventually learned that it wasnt for me and that was the secret to how i became perfect.

    • @eschmidt2990
      @eschmidt2990 Před 2 lety +1

      @@grumpybryno3479 thank you for sharing your feelings. Please don't give up. Don't put yourself through as much suffering as my brother who's not talking for decades.
      You'll find people that are worth talking to and worth the effort. I'll make you feel a big relieve. You don't have to be perfect. Is anybody?
      And much more the others, you yourself are worth making the effort for. Your just as important as everybody else in the world. The people who don't appreciate you are probably not worth the effort. So why care about them. It's you that counts. And you have the freedom to talk. It's a human right.

  • @aims5896
    @aims5896 Před 7 lety +8

    I was a really confident child until once I did a presentation and I messed up a little bit and everyone laughed. That scarred me and I've found it difficult to talk to many people, I had an issue just recently with some of my "friends" and them bullying me about it

  • @simpinainteasy680
    @simpinainteasy680 Před 5 lety +6

    Thanks for sharing. My daughter has selective mutism and we're looking for strategies. She's seeing a counselor but hasn't made much progress. I will watch this with her.

  • @michelleclark537
    @michelleclark537 Před 4 lety +6

    That was an incredible story! I'm so proud of you!!!

  • @MrShadowfragment
    @MrShadowfragment Před 11 lety +1

    Well done Mr. understanding your own issues is very difficult and taking the initiative to work to overcome those problems is a tremendous challenge. I think you have incredible courage in doing what you have done including making this video. Much respect for you right now.

  • @starlet1587
    @starlet1587 Před 9 lety +1

    Thank you for sharing. Really touching and inspirational. Wishing you the best.

  • @MLinaresSR47
    @MLinaresSR47 Před 9 lety +2

    Very inspirational and Saki, thanks for your willingness to share your struggles with SM and in fact, this will help me to help my granddaughter-who like yourself-is strugglles with SM. The more we hear directly from those, who've struggled with anxieties-we will learn how better to help those with such afflictions. Again, thanks for sharing.

  • @marleymae6746
    @marleymae6746 Před 3 lety +1

    Thank You for this video! You are such a brave young man.

  • @eschmidt2990
    @eschmidt2990 Před 2 lety +2

    Thank you very much for your Courage and care.
    My brother is 60 years now and he hardly ever utters a word. I love him and always try to make him laugh, which he does and seems to like it. But I've never managed ti help him. I wish I could 😪

  • @lisailves2046
    @lisailves2046 Před 10 lety +1

    It's great you've overcome this problem ! I'm soo happy for you ! People may think you do it because you are shy or yoou choose too but this is a real problem and I'm so happy you overcame taht problem :)

  • @texasgal7924
    @texasgal7924 Před rokem

    I love your story! Thank you for sharing it.

  • @annybiav
    @annybiav Před 10 lety +1

    Thank you Saki...just fantastic post

  • @ingecarlsson6618
    @ingecarlsson6618 Před 10 lety +1

    Thanks from Sweden! Your video is fantastic!

  • @theAnalogManifesto
    @theAnalogManifesto Před 4 lety +1

    Thank you for sharing your experience, that's admirable.

  • @littlebottomboy1111
    @littlebottomboy1111 Před 9 lety

    You sound Awesome my niece suffers from this and she will be going though therapy. I'm scared for her! Seeing you us a positive note because you speak very well and sound awesome !

  • @icu4uraqt
    @icu4uraqt Před 8 lety +1

    love your story and your can-do attitude.

  • @ahomemakersjourney08
    @ahomemakersjourney08 Před 9 lety +7

    thank you for sharing...ive struggled with this since age 4....i would only talk to my parents and siblings....today i am 25 and still struggle with it just not as bad...more so having conversations with people...and i agree...i find it EASIER to talk to strangers.

    • @grumpybryno3479
      @grumpybryno3479 Před 4 lety

      talking isent for everyone u know, i eventually learned that it wasnt for me and that was the secret to how i woulda became perfect.

    • @anonroptl
      @anonroptl Před 4 měsíci

      maybe it’s because you won’t probably see strangers again (not as much pressure?)

  • @tillybinkieking7258
    @tillybinkieking7258 Před 9 lety +1

    Wow! Thank you so much - Braveheart!

  • @saramorita3889
    @saramorita3889 Před 6 lety

    This is inspiring to me. Thank u for sharing your story. I also have selective mutism.

  • @murraychrissie
    @murraychrissie Před 3 měsíci

    Thank you. I'm going to show this to my student. X

  • @emievans3274
    @emievans3274 Před 7 lety

    You're amazing :) I loved the story about the award :) :)

  • @admles-au
    @admles-au Před 10 lety +3

    CZcams can barely contain the wisdom in this video!

  • @marcundoran1935
    @marcundoran1935 Před 2 lety

    Thanks for this, it's really interesting and informative

  • @mariekelly6001
    @mariekelly6001 Před 3 lety +3

    Hi Saki, thanks so much for this video. There seems to be a lot more successs stories from females so I so appreciate your story which I passed to my nephew from Denmark sho has had SM since birth. How are you these days? Please let us know any more tips or advice. Nathan is now 13. He started to talk to a teacher online. That was the first. He has a lot of input from psychologist to get this far. The main issue to date is that he doesn t try and only now at 12 yrs old is he becoming aware that he needs to talk.

  • @somber087
    @somber087 Před rokem +3

    Im someone who hates interacting with people, introverted, and has SM. All combined and I think people think Im cold and mean

  • @miranarro6565
    @miranarro6565 Před 9 lety +1

    Thanks for video. LOVE the award and the speech! Anxiety usually comes in tandem with other conditions. Were you never diagnosed with a learning difficulty or HFA?

  • @monicacampos3154
    @monicacampos3154 Před 6 lety

    Great advise..thank you!

  • @zaidibasri1
    @zaidibasri1 Před 9 lety +1

    thank for uploading this video, my daughter also has SM

  • @lulinhasilva5211
    @lulinhasilva5211 Před 10 lety +2

    Saki, thank you so much for sharing your story! I am very happy for you!
    i just feel sorry for ignorant people like Christopher Chukwunyere! Why even bothering posting such a stupid comment!!!! I fell so bad for those kids whose parents think like this guy!
    Thanks God I am in the USA not in "Nigeria!"

  • @mikaelacarmela2773
    @mikaelacarmela2773 Před 3 lety +2

    Suffering selective mutism for almost 15 years. pain

  • @HandsomeBaconBoi
    @HandsomeBaconBoi Před měsícem

    I know it's 2024 and 11 years since you made this video, but it still relates greatly to me right now. Its really hard to deal with because I can't make a single friend or say a single word in school, I am only really able to talk to my parents. No one really understands you either being the only one in my family, to have it, it's really lonely because I don't have a single friend or anyone in this world that could relate to me at the moment. My mom wants to seek therapy, but my dad is saying that is wont work and all that nonsense because he said that he did therapy because he was shy. But being shy and being selective mute are two different things and it's ovbious you probably can't change being introverted or not in your life. I know treating selective mutism is possible, I notice when my sisters friends come over, I get a lot more comfortable with them and it's less hard to me to speak with my voice in front of them. But I really don't know how I am going to get through this with no one that can really relate to me. Anyone in 2024 that has had this and have any tips, I'm really in a point of my life where I feel a little depressed and just want a friend):

  • @lili-yz1wb
    @lili-yz1wb Před 8 lety +4

    i have selective mutism and i'm really not brave enough to talk yet:/

  • @nondescriptbeing5944
    @nondescriptbeing5944 Před 3 měsíci

    I hope you’re doing well now man

  • @alirahmadian4007
    @alirahmadian4007 Před 10 lety +1

    Thanks for sharing this video.

  • @kattwin1
    @kattwin1 Před 8 lety +5

    WOW. You're awesome! I've been doing tons of research on SM because a child in my class has SM and I've never had to interact with someone like him before. I am sooo empathetic to what he's going through because I've dealt with social anxiety my entire life. I can only imagine what he's feeling and going through. Thank you for sharing your story!

    • @TheFrontyer
      @TheFrontyer Před 8 lety +3

      +kattwin1 I have SM my self and if just my teachers knew everything would be so much easier. To bad I can´t tell them about it. Luckily my SM isnt as bad as his, I can talk, but only when I am expected to talk (responding to questions, presentations etc..)

  • @6monthstoblack473
    @6monthstoblack473 Před 5 lety

    Ahmazing!! Way to go!!!

  • @grumpybryno3479
    @grumpybryno3479 Před 6 lety +2

    i have this disorder because i feel awkward and stupid of myself whenever i were to even try to talk and communicate with people.i always get afraid of being a doofus or idiot.

  • @shxwtydntcry
    @shxwtydntcry Před 3 lety +2

    thank you for spreading awareness on Selective Mutism . Everyone needs to have a voice ♡ I also make videos on mental health and Selective Mutism 💕

  • @VR_investments
    @VR_investments Před 6 lety

    Good job I think it is so wrong when people force people to not be them self’s. I am 28 now and only now getting the help I need

  • @coreydangelis9405
    @coreydangelis9405 Před 11 lety

    Didn't know you were maing videos now! There were good times in school though. I rememberthe fun times we had, not paying attention in class and playing who wants to be a millionaire LOL!

  • @agnieszkaj2497
    @agnieszkaj2497 Před rokem

    You told them to shut up 🤣🤣🤣👍👍👍
    Amazing!
    Thank you for sharing ❤️

  • @blancavela5949
    @blancavela5949 Před 5 lety +1

    Hello, Saki, Thank you you so much for doing this video. Do you have others? I have a 16 year son that was diagnosed with Selective Mutism about 3-4 years. My son is very smart when it comes to school. I'm getting desperate and want to get all the help for him. I'm concerned since in a few years he will be 18 years old and will have to be out there in real life. Many thanks ! You give me hope from hearing you speak on this video and to be honest I have listened to this video quite a few times now.

    • @grumpybryno3479
      @grumpybryno3479 Před 4 lety

      talking isent for everyone u know, i eventually learned that it wasnt for me and that was the secret to how i woulda became perfect.

    • @DiamondsRexpensive
      @DiamondsRexpensive Před 3 lety

      @@grumpybryno3479 having a voice is useful though. Imagine if someone was in trouble that would harm them, and your voice warned them and they dodged that. You would save their life.

    • @DiamondsRexpensive
      @DiamondsRexpensive Před 3 lety

      @@grumpybryno3479 I saw your comment from 3 years ago. Why don't you talk to yourself out loud and get used to your voice? As time goes by, you wouldn't feel like a big doofus, because you are more used to talking.

    • @HandsomeBaconBoi
      @HandsomeBaconBoi Před měsícem

      @@grumpybryno3479 I know its been 4 years. But for most people with selective mutism, they want to talk and make friends, talking is a crucial part of being human

  • @WiddleWyatt
    @WiddleWyatt Před 10 lety +1

    I also had selective mutism. I struggled with it from the time I was, I don't even know, 4? Until I was around 16, 17. There are some people I haven't seen in years that the last time I saw them, I couldn't talk to them, and I am still scared that I wouldn't be able to if I saw them again (I am 20 now), but I think I could. I am nearly positive I've overcome it. I tell few people now that I had it, and they say they would never know. If anybody wants to hear more, feel free to message me.

  • @121314fgy0001
    @121314fgy0001 Před 9 lety +6

    That sounds like me, have never talk in school...

  • @diannabenejan5094
    @diannabenejan5094 Před 11 lety

    Hello I love that you shared your story! someone close to me has selective mutism they have just graduated high school and since you were in the situation what's something I can do to help them overcome this? It seems like you wanted to to start talking and started working towards that on your own. This person says they want to but are making tiny steps. How can I help?

  • @omarcorrea
    @omarcorrea Před 8 lety

    Thank you

  • @lizlizza12345678910
    @lizlizza12345678910 Před 9 lety +1

    Thank you for sharing your story! My daughter has sm and never spoken in school for 11 years. She is in therapy right now but, I feel like is not really helping at all.. Her therapist is suggesting we put her on meds but, honestly I don't want too! Did you ever went on meds?

    • @InsouciantPlatypus
      @InsouciantPlatypus Před 8 lety

      +beauty “beautysunshine201” sunshine I don't know if this will be helpful in any way especially because you posted this a year ago, but a couple of therapists I saw when I had SM told me they couldn't help me and suggested I take meds as well. My mom is a dietitian who disagrees with everything she was taught so she was resistant to the idea of putting me on meds and started looking for alternative solutions. Biofeedback and neurofeedback was what she found. Neurofeedback was what I did and it helped my anxiety and mutism immensely and now I can go out in public without feeling anxious and I can speak. I hope your daughter overcomes her SM!

    • @lizlizza12345678910
      @lizlizza12345678910 Před 8 lety

      Thank you so, much!! I appreciate it very much:)

    • @archeraimsaarrow3864
      @archeraimsaarrow3864 Před 6 lety

      +Michaela what is that?

  • @jbulette1264
    @jbulette1264 Před 8 lety +2

    Was looking all over the web for what i was going through and selective mutism described me perfectly. Its nice to see ppl dealing with the same thing! I wanna talk, too but its impossible like u described. But-- if u have this condition, do any of u feel tired every single day for no reason? I always feel so tired and i dont know what it is /: wish it would go away

    • @giulianol
      @giulianol Před 8 lety

      +Jbulette I think it's normal. It has to do with anxiety. You can see a therapist if you feel like, maybe he/she's able to prescribe something to help with anxiety.

    • @anonroptl
      @anonroptl Před 4 měsíci

      idk if I have sm, but I feel really drained (I guess?)

  • @towqir
    @towqir Před 9 lety

    thank you , very good

  • @thuptentenzin7850
    @thuptentenzin7850 Před rokem

    Thanks for sharing

  • @vex3445
    @vex3445 Před 11 měsíci +1

    same shi happening to me rn it’s lik i can’t speak my throat ain’t letting me

  • @nickly1032
    @nickly1032 Před 6 lety +5

    You said yours was pretty severe so I thought it would be like mine.. but then you said you’d talk to your parents.. I can’t even talk to my parents at all and I’m 17 but the weird thing is, I can talk to my best friend, and my online friends

    • @somber087
      @somber087 Před rokem +1

      You dont have a close relationship with your parents probably

  • @sandrafornieles656
    @sandrafornieles656 Před 7 lety

    Thanks.

  • @kiranchudasama2724
    @kiranchudasama2724 Před rokem +1

    Thankyou sweetheart. My son has low profile selective mutism. He's 7 years old. We live in the UK. I'm only starting to think how can I help him?

  • @BeswickMedia
    @BeswickMedia Před 11 lety +5

    ive got selective mutism aswell, im 16 years old and had it all my life, im leaving high school in 5 weeks and don't know what to do

    • @grumpybryno3479
      @grumpybryno3479 Před 4 lety +1

      talking isent for everyone u know, i eventually learned that it wasnt for me and that was the secret to how i woulda became perfect.

  • @tiandoesgaming
    @tiandoesgaming Před 10 lety +3

    I'm having the same problem and its making me depressed :(

  • @kirstithurlow4530
    @kirstithurlow4530 Před 8 lety +3

    I have selective Mutism and have come out my shell a lot and am enaged , like that boy I had friends they my ex friends now , I stopped talking when I was 5 didn't new I had Selective Mutism till I was in my 20s so didn't have support at eve school or college

  • @flip2179
    @flip2179 Před 4 lety +2

    I've had this for 5 years now and I'm 18 now. But i have talked to everyone except my family. I havent said a word to them, but i text them a lot. I speak to other people and strangers normally but I don't have social anxity anymore. Does anyone have the same problem? I feel so lonely

  • @DhruvNagarajan
    @DhruvNagarajan Před rokem +1

    Never speaks
    Gets an award for it
    Goes onto the stage & tells people to shut up
    Don't elaborate more
    Leaves
    Chad!

  • @grumpybryno3479
    @grumpybryno3479 Před 4 lety +3

    why shud u get bullyed just for not talking. people who doesnt talk should just be ignored.

  • @MarkFromSalfordUK
    @MarkFromSalfordUK Před 11 lety +1

    my daughter is 11 years old and not spoke a word all the way through school and not even to family members , after all these years it almost seem impossible for her to speak out loud in public at to friends and family ,she was diagnosed S.M when she was about 6 or 7

  • @damianbelzowski6062
    @damianbelzowski6062 Před 6 lety +2

    I donno what I have if it's called selective mutism or what it is, because I'm not afraid to talk but simply at times just cannot push words out of my mouth n I get caught n I embarrass myself in front of ppl, I'm very out going n I like being around ppl and always joining in but my problem stops me from communicating, if anyone knows what I might have plz let me know because no one can identify it, thanks everyone n any help will be much appreciated

    • @brandoncooper439
      @brandoncooper439 Před 6 lety +1

      Damian Belzowski I have the same thing never had the issue before but it's defiantly frustrating when you feel like you shouldn't have it I was always outgoing ish now sometimes I have the same issue trying to fight it

  • @janerentz9304
    @janerentz9304 Před 5 lety +2

    I've had it since first grade and I'm About to graduate and still haven't overcome it.

  • @CocoBorderCollie
    @CocoBorderCollie Před 2 lety

    How are you doing now?

  • @jrarchitect11
    @jrarchitect11 Před 7 lety

    I have it to
    😭🐻

  • @Hi-tw8ch
    @Hi-tw8ch Před 6 lety

    I have selective mutism

  • @hamizah132
    @hamizah132 Před 8 lety

    I Just wanted to know, how is your academic going on? i mean the results... Does this Selective Mutism made your studies result getting worse?
    i have a daughter age 9 now, im very worried about this since i know from specialist doctor told me.. She sometimes talk, and sometimes don't.. she dont understand what the teacher teach in class...and she even dont wanna ask the teacher to repeat any question...

    • @jbulette1264
      @jbulette1264 Před 8 lety +1

      I have this condition too. Ever since it started ive done worse in school; its like ur thoughts get cloudy and stuff. And along with that its hard to talk. Im trusting this guy's advice can cure us all tho if we commit to it

    • @jbulette1264
      @jbulette1264 Před 8 lety

      Btw- more about the school problem- i forget everything all the time. I dont know anything anyone says unless i write it down, and it feels impossible to learn anything sometimes. I think trying to talk more might help tho, cuz i know whenever i ocasionally break the talk-barrier i feel more alert and focused. Blame the condition, not the person L=

    • @TheFrontyer
      @TheFrontyer Před 8 lety

      +Jusri Sarah I have SM. My grades have always been in the top. I struggled a lot when I was younger tho, but competing against others always helped me and I have always been a part of the smart people in class. I never ask the teacher to repeat, but I always find a way around it and learn it myself if I don´t understand.
      If I where you, I would inform the teacher about her condition. Maybe set up a meeting with the doctor. I think it would really help her out if the teacher understand how that condition work. I know it would have helped me when I was younger.

  • @desperado77760
    @desperado77760 Před 7 lety

    anyone have ideas on how to help young children with SM? This doesn't seem like it would be particularly helpful. Nothing real concrete. Not meant to be a criticism. I only listed for 16 minutes

  • @buggy659
    @buggy659 Před 5 lety

    What medication is good for this? Oh and more videos please! My daughter has this. She is 15 never talked in school.😞

    • @nondescriptbeing5944
      @nondescriptbeing5944 Před 5 lety +1

      SSRIs can work, particularly Zoloft.

    • @derekjum1798
      @derekjum1798 Před 4 lety

      Your daughter doesnt got to talk in school, because id got bully like an dam freak when i was in school. Maybe she has some humongis made have made her been mute.

    • @buggy659
      @buggy659 Před rokem

      @@nondescriptbeing5944 19 now and talking a lot more. Still not a big talker but talks now! 😁 we avoided the Meds

    • @nondescriptbeing5944
      @nondescriptbeing5944 Před rokem

      @@buggy659 glad to hear it! I had SM but worked through it myself

  • @Melissa0774
    @Melissa0774 Před 6 lety +1

    I always wondered if this problem could be caused by some kind of short circuit in the brain. Does anyone else feel like that could be the case for them?

    • @anonroptl
      @anonroptl Před 4 měsíci

      Idk, but ever since around 2016 my speaking just deteriorated. from 2016 I was still talking normally (just not much friends) and then from 2017 onwards it became progressively worse. I think it has to do with me moving cities tbh

  • @user-ne3vm8xe3d
    @user-ne3vm8xe3d Před 8 lety

    I'm japanese girl , 15 years old.
    I will be a highschool student in April.
    I want to speak when I became high school student.
    I want to make many friends.

    • @user-ne3vm8xe3d
      @user-ne3vm8xe3d Před 8 lety

      I became a high school student.
      I can speak at the school now.
      But I have no friend 😞

    • @deadbeats4417
      @deadbeats4417 Před 6 lety

      Aw

    • @DiamondsRexpensive
      @DiamondsRexpensive Před 3 lety

      @@user-ne3vm8xe3d Hi. One tip is to be interested in people, and let them speak about themselves. Ask them questions. If they are alright with the questions, keep asking and then answer your own question, and see if you have things in common.
      あきらめないで!

  • @tommirowland2633
    @tommirowland2633 Před 10 lety

    If you don't have it then people need to stop commenting long ass monolouges like they are doctors and shit like no if you don't understand don't make it worst for me with your horrible comments thank you

  • @John-pv5qc
    @John-pv5qc Před 7 lety +1

    Are you greek living in US?

  • @mr.ultimateavenger3260

    I promoted my girlfriend I will talk soon

  • @assaultwolfpacker3032
    @assaultwolfpacker3032 Před 8 lety

    I have selective mutism