Hi there.
My daughter has social anxiety disorder. It all started when she was a baby...when she was few weeks old, friends would visit and want to hold her - she screamed! everyone said that thats normal, all babies do that and that she would grow out of it.....Well....she never did!
At preschool she would speak to nobody, and only to myself and her sister in a very quiet whisper. At home she was a normal lively noisy child.
Her starting school was a nightmare for me, I worried that she would get lost and not be able to ask for help....
She didnt speak at school until she had been there for 3 years and then only to select people....and very quietly. Everyone called her the girl who doesnt talk....and we called it extreme shyness. Eventually I found a name for what she had, and it turned out she was a selective mute. the relief at this was huge. I finally had something to work with. :)
The teachers at her school were fantastic, and let her go at her own pace. She gradually began to speak, and was able to cope almost normally, speak in front of the class, was getting top marks etc but had trouble making close friends.
She is now 14 and has a job at the local supermarket after school which she loves. :)
Over the last year or so, she has suffered panic 'attacks' where in certain situations she has to get out and away. The last one was at school two days ago. She sent me a text saying come and get me i need to go home NOW! She spent the next day at home, pretty much sleeping - she was wiped out! Went back to school this morning, anxious and teary.
So....it looks like its time to get some help. She wont speak to the school councillor as she has tried to before and got 'stuck' and couldnt speak....So its off to the doc (for both of us) to see what to do next!
Oh by the way...I look forward to talking to you all! :)
