For Lucia from Swansea, selective mutism is also a barrier to her going to school, college or getting a job.
“It’s really hard, because it feels like everyone else is moving on with their lives, and I’m just stuck doing nothing,” she said.
The 17-year-old said she had whole conversations planned in her head, but her voice completely disappears.
“It is like I just stand with my mouth open, and all I really want to do is just cry, because I’d love to have normal conversations with people, but the words just will not come out,” she added.
She has tried numerous therapies but, with limited results, she is worried about her future.
“It’s been really hard – because people don’t know about it, they don’t know how to help,” she added.
