1%. This is the proportion of the global population that suffers from stuttering. In the U.S. alone, more than three million Americans stutter. These are some of the most well-known facts about this speech disorder.
Other facts, however, are taken to be true when they’re simply myths. For instance, is it true that stuttering is caused by emotional trauma? Does it also occur because of an individual’s upbringing? Well, this post sheds light on whether stuttering is a biological or psychological condition.
What Is Stuttering?
Stuttering , which is also known as stammering, is a speech disorder in which an individual’s speech gets broken up. It gets interrupted by prolongations, repetitions or unusual stoppages. In some cases, the victim also exhibits strange facial and body movements.
Many have always suspected stuttering to be psychological. “He’s too nervous to speak,” they claim. “She went through some trauma in her childhood that caused her to start stuttering.”
So, are these claims justified? Well, according to the National Stuttering Association, these beliefs are completely unfounded. This organization clearly states that stammering is not a nervous-related condition and neither is it caused by emotional issues.
Based on my research though, this statement is just partially accurate. Strong evidence shows that stammering occurs due to inherited speech abnormalities. However, this doesn’t take away from the fact that some cases of stammering stem from trauma.
In reality, there are three forms of stammering:
- Developmental – as the title implies, this type of stuttering primarily affects children. In most of these cases, it occurs between the ages of 2 and 5.
- Neurogenic – this sort of stammering affects people of all ages, and typically begins after a stroke or brain injury.
- Psychogenic – this is the rarest type of stuttering and it’s caused by trauma. It can also occur alongside issues related to cognitive functioning.
Although stammering is not entirely recognized as a psychological illness, it can cause severe effects on the sufferer’s mental health. These include:
- Increased anxiety – the individual may be so scared to talk for fear of being judged or laughed at. Unfortunately, such anxiety can lead to an unending cycle where these feelings exacerbate their stuttering.
- Low self-esteem – another common effect is a decrease in self-esteem. The victim may feel inadequate or ashamed because of their inability to speak fluently.
- Depression – stammering can affect the individual’s social relationships, work life and more. This makes them more vulnerable to depression.
Tips to Cope with Stuttering
If you’re someone who stutters, the first thing you need to know is that you’re not alone. There are hundreds of other people across the world, who suffer from the same. With that in mind, here are a few tips to cope with this speech problem:
-
Slow down your speech
If you stammer a lot, speaking a bit more slowly might help. Rushing to express your thoughts or accelerate your speech can cause you to stutter more. So instead of engaging in this, take a few deep breaths, gather your thoughts and articulate them slowly.
-
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is an exercise that helps you to calm your thoughts and relax. In return, this can ease your anxiety- which can sometimes worsen your stammering.
Final Thoughts
If you have a speech disorder that involves stammering, you might be feeling humiliated and isolated. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not going through this alone. In addition to medications and speech therapy, consider joining a support group.
At the same time, rely on God for strength even when the situation seems bleak. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6 – 7)
