Overcoming stuttering
in Health ·
Hi everyone!
I'm new here, and I wasn't sure if there was already a thread about overcoming stuttering, but since there is, I’d really love to get some advice regarding my own struggles.
Here is the situation:
I'm 16, and I deal with some pretty significant issues when it comes to, let's call it, overcoming stuttering.
My mom always told me that what I'm going through isn't actually stuttering, but rather a speech impediment, though she could never really help me fix it. She spent so much time reading up on it online and constantly giving me tips on what to do, but nothing ever worked. I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially from anyone who has dealt with the specific problems I’m about to list and managed to find a way through them.
This started back when I was little, maybe around first or second grade.
Of course, I've seen a speech therapist, but they were never able to help me.
The main issue is that I struggle to get out certain words starting with letters like P, T, or K. For example, if I want to say "production," I'll hit that initial "p" and just freeze—like, ppp... production. It's the same thing at a coffee shop; if a server comes over and asks what I want to drink, I'll try to say "Sprite" or "Fanta" and get stuck. I can't seem to find a solution. People always tell me to just slow down and stay calm, but that doesn't work. There is this physical block that happens; I end up tightening my lips, trying to force the word out, and it feels like I have to use sheer willpower just to speak. They also suggested I try breathing techniques—inhaling and then speaking on the exhale—but even that hasn't helped. The worst part is that kids at school don't understand what I'm going through, so they laugh at me, which is honestly devastating. Even during exams, if I get stuck on a word, I just freeze, and some teachers assume I simply don't know the material, so they give me a lower grade. I don't want to make a scene by saying, "Professor, I'm struggling with a block, please just wait," because that feels even more humiliating.
I also avoid phone calls at all costs. It’s a total nightmare for me. Interestingly enough, I never struggle when I'm singing, reciting poetry, or just talking to myself. In those moments, everything comes out perfectly fine without any trouble at all.
Anyway, those are the situations I'm facing, and I hope I explained things clearly.
I would really appreciate any advice you might have. 🙂
I'm new here, and I wasn't sure if there was already a thread about overcoming stuttering, but since there is, I’d really love to get some advice regarding my own struggles.
Here is the situation:
I'm 16, and I deal with some pretty significant issues when it comes to, let's call it, overcoming stuttering.
My mom always told me that what I'm going through isn't actually stuttering, but rather a speech impediment, though she could never really help me fix it. She spent so much time reading up on it online and constantly giving me tips on what to do, but nothing ever worked. I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially from anyone who has dealt with the specific problems I’m about to list and managed to find a way through them.
This started back when I was little, maybe around first or second grade.
Of course, I've seen a speech therapist, but they were never able to help me.
The main issue is that I struggle to get out certain words starting with letters like P, T, or K. For example, if I want to say "production," I'll hit that initial "p" and just freeze—like, ppp... production. It's the same thing at a coffee shop; if a server comes over and asks what I want to drink, I'll try to say "Sprite" or "Fanta" and get stuck. I can't seem to find a solution. People always tell me to just slow down and stay calm, but that doesn't work. There is this physical block that happens; I end up tightening my lips, trying to force the word out, and it feels like I have to use sheer willpower just to speak. They also suggested I try breathing techniques—inhaling and then speaking on the exhale—but even that hasn't helped. The worst part is that kids at school don't understand what I'm going through, so they laugh at me, which is honestly devastating. Even during exams, if I get stuck on a word, I just freeze, and some teachers assume I simply don't know the material, so they give me a lower grade. I don't want to make a scene by saying, "Professor, I'm struggling with a block, please just wait," because that feels even more humiliating.
I also avoid phone calls at all costs. It’s a total nightmare for me. Interestingly enough, I never struggle when I'm singing, reciting poetry, or just talking to myself. In those moments, everything comes out perfectly fine without any trouble at all.
Anyway, those are the situations I'm facing, and I hope I explained things clearly.
I would really appreciate any advice you might have. 🙂