ok, buckle up folks, it is 1 am and time for your annual guide to writing selectively mute characters in (fan)fiction - reCOVERY EDITION because i think i’m finally in a place to write that.
- most of the time, recovery will not be a magic fix. i still cannot talk when i am upset or overwhelmed, and some days i can’t anyway. this is a lifelong thing - SM can be treated, but not *fully* cured
- most treatment starts with a ladder. mine was clapping hands -> stomping feet -> blowing air -> making animal noises -> making single letter sounds -> short words -> sentences. this is called shaping, and it’s common across most types of therapy.
- it takes a long ass time. i have had sm for my entire life, was diagnosed and started therapy at 12, and now only just consider myself recovered at 17. i have had weekly therapy for five years now, probably almost six.
- people often react weirdly when you first talk - you would be surprised by how many of my classmates thought i was physically mute
- being able to talk doesn’t make the anxiety go away, but it certainly lessens it. i can function a lot better nowadays, especially in emergency situations.
- usually recovery will require a mixture of drugs and therapy. sometimes, even this won’t work. some people will remain mute or mute to a degree for their entire lives, especially if diagnosed late. this is perfectly okay. verbalization does not equal value.
- there are so many firsts. first word, first sentence, first presentation, first everything. it can be fucking exhausting, but also euphoric.
- a lot of people struggle to find an identity outside of ‘the quiet one,’ since that is what we are assigned for out entire childhoods. it’s a long, tiring process of self discovery once you are finally in the place to do so.
i see selective mutism mis-represented in media a lot, which is why i tend to make these posts, but honestly even bad representation is always appreciated. chances are, it’ll fit someone's experience - everyone is different! anyway, yell at me if you have any questions! i’m always happy to answer :) /gen
happy writing!
