commentr/StutterFebruary 17, 2022

Content

Have you tried speech therapy? Also have you tried any speaking techniques to help you as well? Sometimes universities have free or low cost clinics, if they have a speech program. The clinicians are students and anyone can go to them. You are so young, and we have so much more research on stuttering now. Definitely still time and resources out there to help. Go to ASHA's Practice Portal on fluency disorders for more information. I also recommend seeing a therapist, because your post tells me that your mental health is suffering, and sometimes anxiety about stuttering can actually make stuttering exacerbated. Fun fact, they say you should stutter on purpose sometimes so that you feel in control of your stutter and then hopefully less anxious because you have control again. Personally, I have a ringing in my ears that sometimes makes me anxious, and it actually makes me feel so much better blocking my ears and making the sound louder by blocking out other noise. It gives me control again rather than having my body just do something to me. Honestly, the mindset you have towards stuttering is like one of the biggest factors in how your stutter will get better for you... the stuttering may still exist, but re-orientating your relationship with it will do wonders. I suggest trying to learn a technique or two that will potentially start to make stuttering decrease a bit, then really dive in to working on acceptance. I suggest this because I think your buy-in to this self-acceptance journey starts with you knowing that you CAN control your stutter and potentially make it even a little bit better for yourself. It may be a bit harder to just automatically start with only acceptance. Granted, I don't know you so maybe the opposite would be beneficial to you personally. ​ Oh, and do try to join a support group. I am in a support group for OCD and it is SO amazing to have people who relate to you. I will be in support groups for the rest of my life :) ​ ​ Source: I am studying to be a SLP

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceCommunity & SupportCoping & AdvocacyTherapy & Professional

Subthemes

Overthinking & MonitoringAdvice RequestsMindset shiftSeeking Therapy