Stuttering is a neurological disorder whose external symptoms are disfluencies: involuntary disruptions in the normal flow of speech. That is the part a listener hears.
But for people who stutter, the psychological effects of stuttering include hyper avoidance of certain speaking situations and words, hypervigilance in one’s attitude and behavior in social situations, and a devastating toll on the body and the mind. I include body and mind here because anything that causes our nervous system to be on high alert constantly will affect the physical body.
I do not believe that fluency equals freedom.
Popular culture’s portrayal of stuttering has perpetuated the stereotypes of severe anxiety, low intellectual ability, and poor self-esteem. These are not causes of stuttering.
The irony is that the trauma, low self-worth and fear that can result from stuttering and speech therapy trauma (that many people who stutter have experienced) can lead to anxiety, depression, and a devastating loss of identity.
Anticipation is the enemy, not the stuttering.
Research shows us that anticipation of speaking situations is a major culprit leading to tension and anxiety around stuttering. I am not a speech language pathologist (SLP), but I have collaborated with many talented SLPs who stutter. The narrative has changed; it is definitely okay to stutter. It is also okay to ease the burden of speaking with physical tools if that is your desire. But for many people who stutter, the fear of stuttering keeps us emotionally trapped. It just doesn’t feel okay.
I work with people who stutter to uncover and dismantle the harmful stories you may have internalized about the way that you speak. In doing so, you can develop a new relationship and connection to yourself where fear is not the driving motivator and a new paradigm of freedom can emerge.
As a person who stutters myself, I know what it is like to hide, and what happens when you are allowed to be yourself, to stutter, to redesign your relationship with your voice.
