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My Story (Vent, Rant, Advice) Hey guys, Im 19 and live with a stutter. I believe that my anxiety was a product of my stutter but I am now certain that its the other way around. My stutter became noticeable when i learned to speak. My mum took me to speech therapy for around 8 years on and off. I didnt care too much about my stutter and the exercises didnt help so I stopped seeing therapists at the start of highschool. This year would be the year Im introduced to a close enemy called 'Anxiety'. Highschool was tough for the first half - constantly being picked on, not having many friends. I worked my way out of any situation I found scary. Every year, I made up some new bulls''t lie to get out of solo presentations infront of the class and reading out loud. I got into a fair bit of trouble fort this but I never blamed it on my stutter. I didnt want to feel weak and I wanted no sympathy. Puberty hit, confidence grew. I had friends, a girlfriend and most importantly I came to grips with who I was and I could honestly say, I dominated that stutter (most of the time). This all came to a crashing halt one year after I left school. My stepdad had forced me into a job. He claimed it was just a computer job but it was far from it. It was... A CALL CENTRE. I dont know about all of you but that is one of my worst fears and it still is lol. I was there for a year. The first 3 months, I fell into depression. Life was awful. I worked back shift so I stayed up each night until 3/4am and woke up around 11am and jumped on the bus to work. I would never say I contemplated ending it all but I sometimes thought about it, how easy it could all be. After 3 months, I realised I was depressed so I started my driving lessons again, went to bed earlier, tried to see friends more. I was okay after that, NOT perfect and loving life, but 'okay'. My last 3 months of that place, I spent working from my room during lockdown. My anxiety, depression, self hatred all peaked and those were my worst months to date. I didnt speak to anyone in my house and I could barely speak to people on the phone at work. I couldnt even say a simple 'Hi'. Id just sit there, not being able to breathe, violently shaking my head trying to get something to come out my mouth. I left last month and it was a strange feeling. Ive lost all confidence, my stutter is at its worst in quite a long time. My anxiety is awful, even just getting out the house to walk the dog is tough. i start college in 18 days. I need help. Any advise on confidence, anxiety, anything will be a great help! Thank you and I hope you all have a great day :)