When speach comes to a stop

[rprice76]

Hey Folks!

Well - I already posted in the "new members" forum, but I thought I would also post here - just in case someone has an insight into my problem.

First off - I never stuttered as a kid. Ever. I've always been good at public speaking and such - yet about a year ago something happened.

All I know is - I went through a period of stress in my life. (Relationship problems). But who doesn't go through things like that? But --- one day I was talking to a friend of mine about something non-important - and all of a suddent I couldnt talk.

At all.

The phrase I wanted to say was in my mind - and "on the tip of my tongue" - I could open my mouth - but I couldn't form words or make sound. It was as if someone said "Thou shalt not speak." I stopped - took a deep breath and tried again - nothing. The friend started laughing - I punched him in the shoulder - and said "Shut up!" That ended the problem.

So I thought.

Since then I've had the same problem about once a month - though recently it's gotten worse (and no - I am not under ANY stress this time). Three times yesterday alone I found my speach frozen.

I had asked my doctor about this a while back - and she said it seemed to be a mild form of Aphasia - but - what I read - thats brought on by a stroke or by neurological disorders. I'm only 30 - and exhibit no signs of stroke - or any other problems. She just sugested to remain calm.

Remaining calm doesn't really help. Pinching myself - or saying something entirely random does. Its as if the phrase I want to say is not allowed to come out at all.

Any ideas on what this is? Does anyone else have this? Is this common? I live in a relatively rural area and want to know if anyone has any thoughts about going to someone who specialises in speach in a larger town.

Thanks
Ryan

[Jamester]

Hi Ryan,

I find your story very interesting and I have come up with a few theories.

If we believe that stuttering is a neurological problem then it is very possible for you to develop this stutter if there have been any changes in your life.

For example, have you been prescribed any type of medication? Some medications have been known to cause stuttering, especially some antidepressants.

Some theories believe that an increase in the neurochemical dopamine can cause stuttering.

Ask your self what has changed in your life re: any chemical intake or a major change in sleeping patterns. This may or may not give you some insight.

If the stutter is not caused by any of the above possibilities, all I have to say is welcome! Keep in mind, the more we try not to stutter, the more we stutter. Read and learn about stuttering for having an understanding of the problem makes it a bit less mysterious.

One last note. If you stutter, you are among a group of loving, caring, understaning, and patient people. I think those are positive attributes and I am glad I am a part of this special population.

Just my two cents,

Jamie

[Slayer]

i dont think this is a promblem that lets say you stutter because like most of us here were born with the stutter promblem. What you have is a psychological promblem. My cousin who never had a stuttering promblem(cant say he never stutters because everyone even fluent speakers stutter sometimes) he went to a psychologist and his promblem was gone after some therapy. So your stress+ emotions/depression? may\coukd have causes your stuttering

[bignick]

Steve,

I have always wondered if it is genetically linked and like you cannot find anything. My dad has a stutter and I have been told by my parents that they thought I was deaf when I was a baby as I didnt respond in the normal way and wasnt talking. do I have my stutter because of my dad, I dont know and doubt I will ever find out.

Nick

[rprice76]

Thanks for all the advice.

No - no major changes in my life except a period of stress wich passed. No medications - nothing. I am rather absent minded - but thats the only thing I can think of...and our family does suffer from progressive deafness (I'm about 20% deaf - all upper range hearing).

I've actualy noticed that it isn't so much as a stutter as a vocal stop. If its any consolation it doesn't feel phsycological - in otherwords I dont feel anxious or anything prior to it happening - it just - *wham* happens. I get upset from the effect - but nothing else precludes the vocal stop.

It does feel neurological in some regards - as if something just stopped working in my speach center. Its as if I can't remember how to talk and have never done it before. My vocal chords dont work - and I can't shape words in my mouth - until something happens.

Lets say I want to say "The dog went over the hill."

I may be able to get part of the word "The" out - but then everything freezes. I can see the phrase, in my mind mentaly - but I all of a sudden can't physicaly continue the phrase. My mind will continue the phrase .."e..dog went over the hill." But nothing else happens. I'll stop and try again - and again to re-articulate the phrase with no effect.

Now - one of two things happen. I stop - and say "I have a stutter. Hold on..." and try again. The odd part is - I can apologise for not saying what I want to say - but I can't say the phrase. I usualy say it in a different phrasing - and that will work SOMETIMES...but it will come out in a rush - as if all the words are tied together "Hillthatthedogcrossed..." (hill that the dog crossed). Will work. Usualy this raises a few eyebrows with the people I'm talking to.

The other thing that happens, is that I will give up on the phrase and change the subject - and try coming back to it later with sucess.

There doesn't seem to be any type of connection between what I want to say and lets say word difficulty. I'm a software analyst - and I can stumble on phrases like "Interconectivity of the platform module" as well as "I need something to eat."

Some phrases just get stuck. Thats probably the best way to put it. And that single phrase / and sometimes idea - cannot be articulated. It feels - like I said - physical - and as if my mind wont let me say that single phrase or idea.

What I do know, is that the frequency of this happening is getting to be a problem. Like I said - it used to happen say - once or twice a month, but for the last few months it's been several times a week. I had yet another episode while talking in the phone yesterday as a matter of fact. I was trying to berate a telemarketer for calling.

[3FingerBrown]

In your other post you mentioned seeing your doctor... any possibility of seeing a neurologist?

Not to be an alarmist but since you rule out trauma or changes in the environment I think it would be a really good idea to see a neurologist.

Just my 2 cents.

[rprice76]

it's a possibility - but wont happen anytime soon as I live in a small town. I'd have to travel to Tucson Az sometime.

[3FingerBrown]

Out in the desert eh?

Most current thinking says that people are "predisposed" to stuttering and that not all people who are predisposed ever develop a problem. It can also be triggered at any point in life by many many many things, any change in life really.

[mo885]

Hi Ryan,
I have a similar story to yours kind of. I started stuttering when I was 15 years old. I gradually started to stutter and didnt really know what was going on. It started the same summer that I was diagnosed with a serious medical condition. All I can think of is that the stress caused me to stutter. I definetely didnt stutter before to my memory and didnt as a young kid. My mom ironically is a speech therapist so she would know. I would definetely tell you to go to a specialist though, because you need to make sure you arent having some sort of medical problem with your brain that is causing you to stutter. Good luck

[rprice76]

Thanks for the advice folks. I'll be scheduling an appointment in Tucson sometime in the next month. Hopefully this is nothing serious.

Ryan

[Standingtall]

Hopefully, then won't find anything, but remember, there are some cool guys/gals on here that will welcome you back. :D :D

[3FingerBrown]

Thanks for the advice folks. I'll be scheduling an appointment in Tucson sometime in the next month. Hopefully this is nothing serious.

Ryan

I am relieved to hear this. I hope its nothing serious nor do I expect it to be but its always better to be safe than sorry.
Always prepare for the worst while hoping for the best.

Sorry about the circumstances but I'm happy to have you aboard.
Ari