I'm going to hold of on poll right now because while I have had episodes of muteness, I don't know what it is due to.

The first time it happened was the night I was first raped. Afterward I tried to talk, but just couldn't. But, I don't know if I was a case of shock, stress, fear, not being able to find the right words I wanted to say, or just silence because of the physical pain I was in.

Over the course of that year, (while I was experiencing a plethera of trauma), I chose not to speak as much as I used to. I had always been a very vocal person, but that all ended (at least for a while). I could talk, and if I was asked a question, I would respond. I don't know if this was due to stress, PTSD, depression, or what.

Finally, when talking about the trauma in detail I often go mute. Again, could be stress, or it could be not being able to find the right words to express myself...I don't know.

nic