Not being able to speak

elizabeth86

Member
Just wondering if others are suffering from this as well..
Over the past month, my anxiety has gone from bad to worse. It's now to the point where I cannot speak to people. Even my boyfriend, mum, sister...
When I speak, my voice goes up like I'm really nervous, and it sounds like I'm crying or out of breath. I cannot stand it anymore!! I feel so stupid when I'm at uni and people are talking and I just sit there working up the courage to speak, but I know if I open my mouth it will come out shaky. It's literally that bad that it's nearly 24/7 now.
I'm on zoloft (only for 2 weeks), and yesterday got a script for valium but I don't think it's helping..
I am stressing out so bad about going back to uni on Monday..
 

Jura

Well-known member
I used to be like that at one time, but not with my own family. Only in groups of people. Then I just started growing out of it and I speak normally (mostly) now. My shyness is getting better overall recently, and at a very fast pace. Feels so awesome and liberating.
 
I've suffered from selective mutism as an adult also. It happened when I felt hopeless and my mind told me that I was totally incompetent. Eventually I learned from acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) not to take my thoughts and feelings literally. In other words I stopped believing all my catastrophic imaginings. Meds have never helped me, but ACT has reversed my downward spiral and I'm on the road to recovery now.
 

Ursula

Active member
I have similar problems talking to people I don't know. I can just about manage a 'hello' or a 'thanks' but anything more is quite challenging so I know what you're going through. My voice is either too slow and croaky or too high and squeaky. It's such a relief to get back to my flat where I can feel nice and safe and not have to do any talking!
 

Darkdriver

Member
I have problems when I speak with only a person, and also when I speak with more people, and I don't know what is worse...

When I talk with a person I feel fine the firsts seconds, only the firsts seconds because he listen to me, but soon I get nervous more and more, because I don't know what to say. My mind is only thinking in what I have to say the next time and I start thinking that person hate me and he wants to leave me alone. I lose the control and I don't know what is he speaking to me.

But when I'm in the middle of 4, 5 or more person i think it's the worst. I still being in silence all the time, I don't know what to say, neither when I have to start speaking. I feel so bad.

Excuse my english...
 

SilentType

Banned
I can't ever really get past a few sentences with many people, without having one of those awkward silent moments. I am one big recurring awkward moment ready to happen whenever someone wants to talk to me. It's built into me now, and I have a feeling panic disorder and I are going to have a long, rocky relationship. Cannabis, used medically, makes the existence tolerable. Everyone has their crutch. Well, if you don't, good for you, or else you're in denial about whatever it is. What's so criminal about smoking on a plant and living the high life? I'm productive to society in ways unknown to anyone yet, but everyone some day. Muahaha.


Peace
 

elizabeth86

Member
With the problem I have.. I literally can't speak. The first word of every sentence - even to those close to me - is in a high tone. And then every couple of words will be high pitched as well. It's horrible! It's not a matter of not being able to make conversation, it's just that I don't want to speak for fear of my voice getting really high.

SilentType, does the marijuana really help? I'm actually seriously considering it. That, or taking two shots of vodka before going to uni. Or popping two valiums
 

Biggle

Member
I can recognize this problem in myself aswell. Sometimes when i try to speak with strangers i dont know, im either focusing too much on saying things "correctly" that my mind goes completely blank and i have nothing to say, or sometimes i pulls through it by my words come out very "shaky" and nervous :(
 

Kien

Well-known member
I have been having similar problems when I was a kid. At really rare times it was like I just couldn't open my mouth and speak. Even though it was my friends. I think it always happened when there was others around (class mates kind of and similar) but still it was very weird.
 

M1tCh

Banned
Yeah, I've always seemed to have problems with speaking or being heard. I find communication to be very taxing in a lot of ways and it feels pointless when i have to repeat myself ad nauseam to people who don't understand my point of view anyway...In spite of its simplicity.
 

tool1919

Well-known member
Hmmm, SilentType...intriguing.

I actually used to be the same about marijuana. But as i've looked back and assessed my life over the years, i'm starting to wonder whether it was a large contributor to my problem. I know drugs effect different people differently so i'm not having a go. If it works for others then good. But i'm now 26, smoked since i was about 14 til about 22 or 23, and think that without actually knowing it at the time, i was self-medicating. However it became for me more of a thing i did by myself (for whatever reason) rather than a social thing. Gradually i was smoking every day and when i was around others i got anxious and paranoid. Each time i've tried it since (maybe just a toke or two on a joint) and i've thought i could handle it my mind just has that automatic anxious, paranoid response. Stange, that it used to do such good things for me but now it's the most terrifying thing for me. Just something to keep in mind. Although it was my best friend at one point, it is now my worst enemy.
 

carsickcars

Member
I find it difficult to speak too. I think it's because there are so many things going on in my mind at once. I'm making sure I'm not breathing too heavily, I'm aware of my pounding heart, I feel the sweat slowly dripping down my back, I'm observing and trying to interpret the other person's body language, and on top of that I have to listen and respond without sounding like an idiot.
 

TAMPA-BAY

Well-known member
what you are asking about elizibeth is quiete common for us. I difinately have the hiper ventalation problem. I can speak but its as if I just ran a marathon.

Also I difinately have a problem with the high voice. I have to constantly remind my self to speak slower and that usualy helps make my voice lower and clearer

Whats so fustrating is that the instant I leave the anxiety provokeing situation I am completely normal. Actualy no. After that my energy meter is completely drained and I have to take a nap or somthing like that.
 

Argamemnon

Well-known member
I can't speak with people, I can't look in their eyes, and I can't work or perform in the presence of other people either !
 

SilentType

Banned
SilentType, does the marijuana really help? I'm actually seriously considering it. That, or taking two shots of vodka before going to uni. Or popping two valiums


Why don't you ask yourself which one of these three remedies has the longest history of safe human consumption? Which one has never killed anybody? After answering these questions, I think you'll know what to do...

Toke Up!



Peace
 
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