Stammer / Speech problem affecting my life

LegacyUser

I've always lived with a slight stammer for most of my life.
Sometime it'd go for ages without it being a problem and other times it'd flare up pretty bad.
Here's the thing - I only ever seem to get the problem when I think too much about what I'm going to say, or if I'm speaking to strangers.
I can answer phone calls (to some degree) but making them is a hard task as I've usually thought about what needs to be said etc...
I'm looking for a new job and I'm finding phoning up recruitment agencies near impossible as I simply cant speak.
I may say half a sentance and then get stuck on one word that could take the best part of 5 seconds or more to get out.
I've never seeked help for this, but I feel it has got worse over the past few months as my general outlook in life is going downhill (different story).

However, even during happy times, it still does affect me and I think its time to tackle it.
I know myself my personality has changed a lot over the past few years - I've opened myself up much more and I dont mind interaction with people. In fact, I love it. I know if I can just get over this hurdle I could achieve so much in life. I really feel its holding me back from so much.

Anyone else suffer from something similar or know where I could get good advice?

Oddly enough, I dont think it affects me after a few pints as I'm probably relaxed and not thinking as heavily. I know some will say "just dont think as much about what your going to say" but I find these so hard to do.

I'd really appreciate any thought / ideas.

thank you

tafkam

speechguy wrote:

I've always lived with a slight stammer for most of my life.
Sometime it'd go for ages without it being a problem and other times it'd flare up pretty bad.
Here's the thing - I only ever seem to get the problem when I think too much about what I'm going to say, or if I'm speaking to strangers.
I can answer phone calls (to some degree) but making them is a hard task as I've usually thought about what needs to be said etc...
I'm looking for a new job and I'm finding phoning up recruitment agencies near impossible as I simply cant speak.
I may say half a sentance and then get stuck on one word that could take the best part of 5 seconds or more to get out.
I've never seeked help for this, but I feel it has got worse over the past few months as my general outlook in life is going downhill (different story).

However, even during happy times, it still does affect me and I think its time to tackle it.
I know myself my personality has changed a lot over the past few years - I've opened myself up much more and I dont mind interaction with people. In fact, I love it. I know if I can just get over this hurdle I could achieve so much in life. I really feel its holding me back from so much.

Anyone else suffer from something similar or know where I could get good advice?

Oddly enough, I dont think it affects me after a few pints as I'm probably relaxed and not thinking as heavily. I know some will say "just dont think as much about what your going to say" but I find these so hard to do.

I'd really appreciate any thought / ideas.

thank you

My dad did as a kid.

He solved it by getting a job in the public sector. Dealing with the public everyday

LegacyUser

get a referal for a speech-therapist from your GP. i had speech difficulties for about 10 years from the age 12 when my voice deepened. for some reason it didn't deepen properly and i developed a kind of muscular problem in my voice box that made it difficult to speak so much so i would regularly contemplate suicide. after seeing a speech-therapist i was able to overcome this with certain voice exercises and now-days my voice is completely different that people i knew from school don't recognize me on the phone. i'm sure much can be done to help your stammer with the appropriate exercises. it won't be easy and it will take hard work and dedication, but with the right determination you can make a difference. good luck to you.

pclancy

Have a gander:

http://www.oasis.gov.ie/health/speech_and_language_therapy_services.html

Txted one of my mates that had a lot of issues with stammering but didnt get a reply yet, he got some good help somewhere i'll let you know if he suggests anythin.

embee

Hi speechguy,

I had a slight stammer when I was younger, which used to get a lot worse in situations of stress or when I was meeting people for the first time. I saw a speech therapist, and I also joined a choir. I cant really sing well, but singing helped me insofar as it helped with pronunciation and diction of words.

It still comes out from time to time now, but 99% of the time its not noticeable to anyone but me. Definitely look for speech therapists in your area, the one I was with was great.