Yes, this. There's no genetic history of stuttering in my family. In my case, I think it's probably a mix of neurological and physical factors (i.e. a hair-trigger "fight or flight" reflex). Stress definitely makes it worse, but then again I can be completely calm sometimes and suddenly have it spring out of nowhere (which kills my calmness in a hurry, LOL). In a weird way it was a huge relief when I learned a year or so ago that current theories think there's a neurological element. Growing up in the 80s, the thinking was very much about blaming the victim: if you were calmer, talked more slowly, relaxed more, and in general weren't such a nervous wreck, then maybe you wouldn't stutter. None of this gelled with my experience -- I was quiet and nervous *because* I stuttered. But I think if I'd known there's a neurological component as a teenager, I'd probably have been devastated, because back then, I still hoped for a miracle cure. I'm middle-aged now, and if I could change any five things about my current situation, I don't think it would even occur to me to change my stutter. It's very much a part of me now. I wish I could go back in time and tell 17 year old me that.