Anxiety in stuttering?

[gt0327a]

I seriously do believe that my anxiety is the root of my stuttering. I've always had a stuttering problem, but I improved over the years, to the point where, just 3 years ago, I would tell myself, "wow, I can't believe I don't stutter anymore". And now, I have such blocks that it feels that no air gets through. And I start talking faster, and it's worse. And I my mind starts racing and I just can't stop thinking and worrying about things. But there are random days where I feel I talk much better than others. I really am starting to believe that medication is what may help. Does anyone else feel this way, or have had this happen to them? I've heard a bunch of different combinations on the forum, but wanted to try and get some opinions again. Also, what doctors are you going to to get these medications? General? Psychiatrists? Family? Any input is appreciated. Thanks, guys.

[andrewg818]

Consider this statement: Let it sit w/ you for a while--- Anxiety is not an actual emotion- -It is FEAR of emotion.. Anxiety is the attempt to control emotion--to avoid feeling bad--all of the things we do-- slow our breathing, tense up, smoke, eat, drink, , etc; to AVOID feeling pain...
Now, what will happen if you just FEEL it-- lie still and FEEL that which you are anxious about feeling? Don't supress your emotions or attempt to "feel" better-- Don't express them and act out on them-- Just FEEL your FEELINGS---and watch them burn away...

[jak]

I think stuttering is the cause of our anxiety! If we did not stutter we would not have all of these emotional problems ,somtimes I feel like thers a football game in my head LOL

[bwelling]

Just FEEL your FEELINGS---and watch them burn away...

andrew - so true "feel your feelings", Mindfullness of feelings during an experience is so amazingly simple and yet so difficult to practice.
But, is the most beneficial control I ever seen with my stutter.

bw

[gt0327a]

has anyone tried any anxiety medication that has helped? I've tried to propanolol and buspar cominbation, along with the Klonapin. But I really don't know if they're that effective. I'm thinking of trying Xanax? Anyone try that, and can you share our experiences? Many thanks!

[bwelling]

has anyone tried any anxiety medication that has helped? I've tried to propanolol and buspar cominbation, along with the Klonapin. But I really don't know if they're that effective. I'm thinking of trying Xanax? Anyone try that, and can you share our experiences? Many thanks!

gt- My experience is that anxiety meds are only good for a temp relief. Many years on prozac reduced my anxiety levels but also dulled my sensitivity to life.

While I was looking for a way to get rid of the stutter and anxiety, I did want to miss life. Missing life is a far greater problem than anxiety from a stutter.

Again, my belief is that the meds work only as a temporary relief from stress and anxiety - most certainly does not fix anything.

bw

[gt0327a]

I understand completely...but at the same time, it makes it worse for me when I know I can't get the words out, and the anxiety just makes it work. I really do believe that if I can get the words out, I'll be able to say what I want to say, which is the most frustrating part. There's nothing more frustrating than knowing what you want to say, but you stay quiet because you're worried about the blocks. It's even more frustrating because I didn't have this problem just a couple of years ago.

[nate]

I seriously do believe that my anxiety is the root of my stuttering. And I my mind starts racing and I just can't stop thinking and worrying about things. But there are random days where I feel I talk much better than others.

I know that a racing mind is a symptom of anxiety. Perhaps you are suffering from anxiety in itself and regardless of whether its related to your speech, my advice is see a doctor, a psychiatrist preferably. I know people who dont stammer but suffer from anxiety. Or search your symptoms on Google.
And those random days happen to all of us.
Nate

[happy7117]

Anxiety for me and stuttering don't mix.

Anger and stuttering always mix for me.

[longwindingroad]

I seriously do believe that my anxiety is the root of my stuttering. I've always had a stuttering problem, but I improved over the years, to the point where, just 3 years ago, I would tell myself, "wow, I can't believe I don't stutter anymore". And now, I have such blocks that it feels that no air gets through. And I start talking faster, and it's worse. And I my mind starts racing and I just can't stop thinking and worrying about things. But there are random days where I feel I talk much better than others. I really am starting to believe that medication is what may help. Does anyone else feel this way, or have had this happen to them? I've heard a bunch of different combinations on the forum, but wanted to try and get some opinions again. Also, what doctors are you going to to get these medications? General? Psychiatrists? Family? Any input is appreciated. Thanks, guys.



I'm of the opinion that stuttering is a brain disorder. Anxiety-related issues, associated with stuttering, are most likely just symptoms of the disorder. I'm speaking in terms of general anxiety, which is a mild form of anxiety.

For most of my life, I was unaware that I had social phobia. Social phobia is much more debilitating than general anxiety. Quite a few people with social phobia are unable to work and find social situations extremely distressing. I view my social phobia as more of a problem than my stutter.

Personally, I believe speech therapy is a band aid approach for something as complex as a brain disorder.

My stuttering has improved, but only fairly recently, due to certain medications I'm presently taking. Undoubtedly, these medications may work for me but not for you.

Certain antidepressants work for some people but not for others. Paxil works for some people but not for others. Celexa works for some people but not for others. For 17-years I took a number of antidepressants and almost all of them worsened my stutter.

I stopped taking antidepressants a few years ago and it was a tough decision. I have fatigue problems so I now take Provigil, and I have noticed an improvement in my fluency. I also take Klonopin, Ambien, and sometimes Carb/Levo. I think Provigil is the medication that's the most beneficial. Maybe the combination of Provigil and these other medications, are working a little magic? I don't know?

For me, medications are the answer. Psychologists cannot prescribe medications; only psychiatrists.

[Silent]

I'm anxious in most all non-routine situations. It may be that I anticipate having to talk, although I don't always think of it consciously.

[longwindingroad]

I'm anxious in most all non-routine situations. It may be that I anticipate having to talk, although I don't always think of it consciously.


At least you're less anxious in routine situations. I think people with anxiety tend to avoid non-routine situations as much as possible.

[Mcnutters]

see i just recently got put on Tegratall anxiety and mood stableizer or w/e and seriously this is my first day takein it and i could say words that i never thought i could i said i could "Concentrate" better to my mom and i was like wow i said it. i dont think i could have i was just relaxed i dunno but my phsycoitrist said stuttering is a fourm of anxiety sorry i cant spell people

[Dacos]

has anyone tried any anxiety medication that has helped? I've tried to propanolol and buspar cominbation, along with the Klonapin. But I really don't know if they're that effective. I'm thinking of trying Xanax? Anyone try that, and can you share our experiences? Many thanks!

I am an whole-live stutter, I always fell anxious since i was a child, my stuttering is worse in social situation. 12 years ago, i started suffering panic attacks and the psiachiatrist prescribed xanax and rivotril, this medication worked for my panic attacks but only a little bit for my stutering. I have continued taking xanax for long time, but only when i feel really anxious or when I have a bussiness meeting because i noticed that it causes me to awake sudenly at nights because i stop breathing.