Does anyone else literally feel like they can’t talk sometimes?

It’s the strangest thing there are moments when I want to speak, but it’s like the words just get stuck somewhere between my brain and my mouth. Especially around new people or in public. My throat tightens, my chest feels heavy, and even though I know what I want to say… nothing comes out. It’s not shyness exactly. It’s like my whole system shuts down. My body says “nope, not safe” even when my mind says “just talk.” Then when I’m back with someone I trust like family, a close friend, or even online suddenly I can talk and laugh and sound completely normal. It’s confusing for people around me, and honestly, it’s confusing for me too. When I was younger, my parents used to tease me about being “mute” or “too quiet,” and I didn’t have the words to explain that I literally couldn’t speak in certain situations. It wasn’t a choice. It was like my voice disappeared. I’ve learned it’s a form of situational mutism, which can happen to autistic people when we’re overstimulated, anxious, or unsure how to process a social moment. I’m working on being kinder to myself when it happens instead of forcing words, I try to give myself space, use gestures, or type things out.