Stuttering in anxiety: how to get rid of, exercises

Stuttering is a common phenomenon that can occur in people at different ages and can accompany them throughout their lives. Worry can exacerbate the condition and make it more noticeable to both the person and others.

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Why does stuttering occur?

Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by a disruption in normal fluency and rhythm. It usually begins in childhood, and people often outgrow it as they get older. However, some people carry stuttering into adulthood.

Head of the center for correction of oral and written speech “The Gift of Speech”, speech therapist, speech pathologist

“Another name for stuttering is logoneurosis. It is, in simple words, a normal reaction of the organism to an abnormal environment”.

This is one of the most difficult speech disorders. In this disorder there is always a cramp: initially it appears in the muscles of the articulation apparatus (lips, tongue, palate), but as the speech disorder worsens, it can go down to the vocal and respiratory apparatus.

According to the expert, stuttering is not always associated with psychological tension, it can arise as a result of brain injury or encephalopathy, sometimes inherited.

Of course, stuttering most often occurs in asthenic children growing up in families with authoritarian upbringing, where the child is suppressed. This speech disorder is almost always born from childhood.

Its main symptoms are the repetition of sounds, syllables or words.

Why does stuttering worsen with agitation?

Stuttering is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic, neurological and environmental factors. Worry, although not the cause of this speech disorder, can exacerbate stuttering.

Ph.D. in psychology, speech psychotherapist, expert of the online institute of psychology Smart

“Worry is a complex of biochemical reactions that leads to the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream.”

Excess adrenaline can cause trembling, tremors, rapid heartbeat, stiffness, speeding up all processes, including mental processes (perception, thinking, memory). Speech also speeds up, the organs of the speech apparatus begin to “shake”, thoughts become confused, and as a result there are stuttering, stumbling in speech, swallowing of endings.

Evolutionarily, the release of adrenaline into the blood is connected with the instinct of self-preservation: in order to escape or defend a person needs to accelerate. But if fear is great and adrenaline is too much, it can cause stupor, stupor, and the person then “freezes”.

Stuttering can be especially critical in situations that require clear and crisp communication, such as public speaking or important conversations.

Communication is quite stressful for many people. Stuttering is mainly manifested in situations of significant speech communication, i.e. where a person is worried about the outcome of communication, where he or she feels insecure, afraid of judgment, punishment or negative evaluation.

Studies have shown that half of adults who stutter also suffer from social anxiety disorder, or sociophobia. With this condition, the person experiences intense fear during social interactions. The need to participate in these situations causes significant stress, which seriously complicates daily life.

Anxiety is not the cause of stuttering, but it does increase the likelihood of developing this condition. It is known that a speech disorder can increase the risk of anxiety by 6-7 times and social anxiety disorder by 16-34 times.

Not only are children more likely to withdraw from social interaction, but they are also more likely to be bullied and isolated by their peers. With more of these experiences, which can negatively impact self-esteem, teens are likely to withdraw even more and possibly carry some of these social behaviors into adulthood.

How do you combat stuttering with anxiety?

There are many ways to combat stuttering during anxiety. Let’s consider some of them.

1- Exploring the problem

When a person who stutters learns about their speech problem, it can make it less frightening. Understanding what stuttering is, why it occurs, and how to overcome it helps in dealing with the disorder.

2- Speech therapy

If you have a problem, see a specialist: a qualified expert helps both child and adult. The stuttering itself may not be cured by a speech therapist, but he will help to significantly reduce the impact of this condition on life.

3. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

It helps alleviate social anxiety by identifying, neutralizing and preventing self-destructive thoughts. Therapy is also useful for improving self-esteem.

Family therapy can be considered. Each family member will be given their own set of supportive strategies to help manage the child’s stuttering.

4. Relaxation exercises

When done regularly, breathing exercises can reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality and digestion. Many people who stutter and also suffer from anxiety tend to breathe rapidly and shallowly. This does not allow enough oxygen to enter the body.

There are hundreds of breathing techniques to help reduce anxiety. Deep breaths are linked to the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps our body relax and calm down.

For example, take a deep breath (fill all your lungs with it) and then exhale slowly. The exhalation should be longer than the inhalation – lasting 4 and 6 minutes respectively. This exercise should be done for 2-5 minutes in any position that is comfortable for you: standing, sitting or lying down.

5. Articulation or mimicry exercises

These exercises work to improve control over the articulatory organs, which in turn improves the fluency and clarity of speech. There are many techniques that can help reduce the manifestations of stuttering. Here are some of them:

smooth pronunciation of syllables and words. You can slowly pronounce the syllables “ma-ma-ma-ma” or “pa-pa-pa-pa” and gradually increase the speed;
exercises to stretch the tongue. It is necessary to stick out the tongue to the maximum distance and hold it in this position for a few seconds;
exercises to relax the muscles of the lips and cheeks. You can massage your lips and cheeks with your fingers to relax these muscles before pronouncing words.

A speech pathologist can help you find the right articulation exercises for you.

Remember that regular practice and patience are important conditions for success in correcting this disorder.

6. Move around

Stress creates tension, which can affect the muscles of the mouth and throat (and increase the likelihood of stuttering). Instead of trapping adrenaline and creating even more tension in your muscles, allow it to move through your body. This will release tension and allow you to relax.

If you feel anxious, try jumping around or going for a walk.

7. Slow down the speed of your mind, body, and speech

Techniques to slow down the speed of speech include pausing, stretching words, over-articulation and increasing the frequency of mouth opening. These techniques are taught in speech therapy sessions.

8. Create a relaxed environment

A person who stutters should have a comfort zone where they can relax while communicating. If you are a parent of a child who stutters, never talk over him, be impatient when he stutters, or correct his speech. Instead, listen attentively so that the child doesn’t feel bored or annoyed.

9. Find support groups

When you or your child is around other people who stutter, it can make it seem less isolating. The problem will then seem less important and will be easier to deal with in the future. Find activities that involve children or adults with similar speech problems.

10. Practice socializing

When you avoid social interactions, it can exacerbate anxiety and the stuttering it causes. Instead, actively seek new opportunities to practice socializing in social situations through exposure therapy. The essence of the technique is exposing the patient to the source of anxiety or its context in the absence of direct danger. This helps the person overcome the anxiety or stress.

The more you practice, the easier it will be for you to overcome your fears about stuttering.

Advice for parents of young children

In a 3-4 year old child’s speech, there may be physiological hesitations (called iterations) that parents may mistake for stuttering. But there is also true stuttering, which can occur at the age of 3-5 years.

It is important to seek professional help as early as possible to understand whether the stuttering is physiological or true stuttering. The behavior of the child’s parents and their reactions play a crucial role in whether the stuttering will go away or become entrenched in the child’s mind and develop into a persistent stutter.

Advice for parents of young children:

Listen patiently to everything your child says, no matter how he or she says it. Answering a question is more important to your child than a stutter in speech.
Do not interrupt your child.
Maintain natural eye contact while talking to your child.
Do not prompt your child for a word or thought.
Do not “rush” to answer your child’s question; answer slowly, calmly, unhurriedly.
Devote at least 30 minutes a day to talking to your child in a calm, relaxed, relaxed manner.
Listen to your child to the end, but make sure that he or she listens to you (otherwise the habit of “playing one-gate” will form).
Do not shut your child out of speech communication, but also do not overload him with speech information, especially not appropriate to the age and situation of communication.

Can stuttering be cured permanently?

Most people who stutter can significantly improve their speech with proper and systematic therapy. However, the success of treatment depends on many factors, including the severity of the speech disorder, the patient’s motivation, and the qualifications of the professional.

It is important to note that every person is unique, so stuttering treatment should be individualized. Some people can completely get rid of the disorder, while others may be accompanied by this disorder throughout their lives, but it can be controlled.

Is it possible to cure stuttering permanently? Yes, modern techniques show that this condition can be successfully treated. Specialists can help patients improve their speech and increase their self-confidence. The main thing is to seek help from a professional and be prepared to work on yourself constantly.