commentr/StutterMarch 5, 2023

Content

There is a label of psychogenic stuttering, but it is quite rare and not well researched. I don't know how much evidence there is for it at all. Anxiety isn't the cause of stuttering. If it were, we'd have many more stutterers out there. I've known people who have had late onset stuttering (late teens, early 20s). It's rare for sure, but not unheard of. You can see a speech pathologist if you want, but I'd only find one who is board certified in fluency disorders and has a good reputation with stuttering. Most SLPs don't know much about stuttering and I'd hate to have someone give you inaccurate information. The best advice I can give you is not to hide your speech or feel shame or be too embarrassed, but to take it in stride as best you can. This isn't just a platitude, but based on experience. The more you try to hide it or change words or any other thing to try to avoid stuttering at all cost, the more control it will have over you and the more shame it will reinforce. Don't let it make you feel shameful. Yes stutter isn't always fun, but if you accept the small disfluencies for what they are and let them happen as they'd naturally like to, you can avoid stuttering growing into a boogeyman.

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceEmotional Experience

Subthemes

Avoidance & SubstitutionShame & EmbarrassmentAnxiety & Social Judgment