postr/StutterJuly 19, 2022

First time posting on Reddit, first time even trying to talk about/explain my stutter.

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Content

First time posting on Reddit, first time even trying to talk about/explain my stutter. My stutter runs within my family, my grandma from my dads side has a minor stutter and a few of my cousins also have a stutter. I always had it since I was a kid (I’m 26 now) I remember getting made fun of in elementary because I stuttered in front of the whole class. But I don’t remember struggling with my stutter too much when I was in highschool until in 2020 I stuttered bad when I was talking to someone at work and since then I have been feeling it getting worse again. But my stutter is very different from others. It’s more of a block. There are a few words I absolutely cannot say when speaking to people (but I say them fine when I’m alone). But when I really try to get those words out that when I start doing weird facial expressions and stutter to get it out. I narrowed down my stutter to words that start with vowels. Not all words but some. For example I have a really tough time saying “Edison” or “interest”. I talk fine for the most part but once I have to talk a lot like telling a story, my stutter/block is noticable. I try to avoid saying certain words and sometimes I act like I don’t remember what I wanted to say when in reality I know exactly what I want to say. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about my stutter, but I feel that since 2020 when I had that embarrassing stutter moment I have been over thinking it and kind of built a subconscious fear of speaking. I have a big feeling that that anxiety I have built upon myself is the reason for my worsening stutter. The anxiety and my low confidence are the problem and I know it. Anyways, if anyone has some tips or has a similar stutter to mine I would greatly appreciate any advice. Thanks!

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceEmotional ExperienceIdentity & Disability

Subthemes

Feared Words & NamesOverthinking & MonitoringShame & EmbarrassmentAnxiety & Social JudgmentAuthenticity vs. MaskingIdentity & Self-Perception