Same thing for me. I hear people on here talking about trying to hide their stutter and I guess mine is just way more severe than average because I can't hide mine at all. It's not only embarrassment that keeps me from trying to talk; speaking takes a huge physical effort because I tense up so much and struggle to breathe, plus I feel bad to derail a conversation and make everyone wait awkwardly for me to say something. It's just not worth it most of the time.