commentr/StutterAugust 17, 2021

Content

Yes.. however, it depends on a lot of things. Your age, what you've tried and the history etc. I applied at age 32.5, I got the normal rejection, did the appeal, Social security set me up with an appointment with a speech therapist where she tested me, said she was going to recommend me get on social security. It took 22 months later when I finally saw the judge and they had a social worker in court, they approved my case instantly with a limited amount of back pay. I have tried speech therapy countless times.. many many years, tried the speech easy device, tried what seemed like a million different things, I had a long history with the State's Vocational rehab office, about 10-12 years. What was very unique about my case is I have a bachelors degree in business, i went w/o finding a job in that area or anything for 5.5 years after graduating. Between the time I applied for social security disability and when I saw the judge (about 22 months), I landed what was supposed to be a short-term contract within my major. When I saw the judge and had my case heard, I was still at that short-term contract a year + later (ended up being 5.5 years). Since the job wasn't a permanent position which my boss put that in writing, the judge ruled because she didn't think I'd ever land a permanent job in anything after the contract was over, she approved my case and gave me about 9 months of back pay, from when I applied to when I started the position. The contract ended May 2020, I applied to countless other positions from when I started that contract and still haven't landed anything. So essentially, when the judge ruled in my favor given the unique circumstances that she didn't think I'd ever land a job in anything, almost 6 years later she unfortunately is correct. One of the deciding factors was there's not a job where you don't have to communicate at some point. Even with it being year 2021 and so much technology, you have to speak at some point, whether it's interview, customers, etc. I think when I visited their speech therapist to be tested, I either spoke UPTO 3 continuous words in a minute, or 3 words per minute before I stuttered. I did everything without a lawyer.. After 35+ years of stuttering, I have SOME hope for landing a job. Just over 4 weeks ago I got on 20 mg a day of Celexa and 1 mg of Xanax (when needed) and my speech has been much much much better. I think ultimately \*\*\*try\*\*\* to find out if it's too much dopamine, anxiety related or something else. Over a month ago I got on a dopamine blocker and it made my speech 1000X worse. I increased the dosage and it was even worse.. so I knew right then I should go back to my original thinking, it was anxiety/nervous system related. Best of luck

Themes

Causes & VariabilityEmotional ExperienceMeds & Substances

Subthemes

Stress & Fight/FlightSeverity & FluctuationAnxiety & Social JudgmentHelplessness & AgencyMedication InquiriesHarmful Med Outcomes

Codes (3)

benzodiazepines_anxiolyticsssris_snris_antidepressantsphysical_state