Stressed! Really Hate Saying my First Name!! Need Help!

[jordanmk0]

I made a thread a little while back about who has trouble saying their names, but I just get so stressed now.

Today in 4 hours, I'll be going to a summer camp at SFU (Simon Fraser University) and I keep on wondering "When will they ask me: What's your name?".

Just that one thought stresses me out. I don't have trouble saying my last name (Woo), but I doubt I'll get lucky enough so that they do as for my last name. But if they ask for my first, I'll just start panicing. I've already tried staying calm, taking a deep breath before saying my name, but it never works! I always have trouble when saying my first name.

Does anyone know what I can do so that I'll have... "less trouble" when saying my first name?

Thanks in advance

[Vermillion]

Don't take a breath before saying your name.

You might go:

My name is *breath* ________.

Instead, try:

My name *breath* is _______.

[cccoffey]

Don't take a breath before saying your name.

You might go:

My name is *breath* ________.

Instead, try:

My name *breath* is _______.

I find that when I instinctively FEEL that a stutter is coming on, I'll inhale to trick myself into "easing" into the word, but in fact this actually makes it more difficult! When you get to the feared word, you overcompensate for the stuttering that will take place and cut off your breathing, thus making it worse. In my last speech therapy session, I worked on using a technique known as "diaphramic (sp?) breathing". Lie down on a flat surface, like your bed or a couch and just practice saying the sentence. For most, when you are by yourself, your speech is more fluent. Practice saying the phrase "Hey, my name is ______." without taking any type of extra breathing than you'd normally do.

By lying down, you're able to breathe "normally" (and stay more relaxed), and hopefully this'll help you prepare better for the situation! Also, try practicing in the mirror and focus on where the tension comes. If you're by yourself and you don't stutter, make yourself stutter so that you can VISUALLY see and feel where the tension is happening. This might make it easier to pinpoint the stress and nip it in the bud.

Good luck!

[bolo]

Now theres an interesting idea.. My name begins with D and probably of all my stuttering situations, saying my name is the one that strikes the fear of god into me as well.

I came to the conclusion however that even if I did get to a point where I could pronounce my name or even had an easier to pronounce name then I would just find some other word to get just as stressed about, probably the N in Name when saying "My Name is .. "



I know we (PWS) are always told to avoid word substitution. I know it; and you all do as well. However, IMO, if the word that causes you so much stress is your name - - - and we are aware that it is a word we need to state quite often --- I suggest you find a suitable and easier-to-pronounce nickname. It is not a sin, it is not illegal, and it would definitely help ease the predisposed stress you already have deep-rooted within your brain.

[thatCALIdude]

go with a nickname which is short and easy for you to say, i use my initials which helps me from prevent stammering.

[737]

Guys I know it is difficult but don't use a nickname. I have done that twice and afterwards I felt like I failed. Now you are not a failure and you can say your name, it may possibly just be a little difficult. The point is that you can say your name even if it takes some time.

Get over the fear and stigma and say your name. You will feel much better saying your name, even if you stuttered through it then giving yourself a nickname and thinking you can't say your name.

I find what helps is to not think about it prior to the time because you stress yourself out. Stress does no good. Not stressing about introducing yourself comes with time.

Like everything in life, practice makes perfect. Practice it at home. Then when your turn comes to say your name imagine that you are at home by yourself and saying your name, or imagine that the people are dolls. It works but you must not at all think about what others are thinking because then it won't work.

Good luck and enjoy.

[thatCALIdude]

Guys I know it is difficult but don't use a nickname. I have done that twice and afterwards I felt like I failed. Now you are not a failure and you can say your name, it may possibly just be a little difficult. The point is that you can say your name even if it takes some time.

Get over the fear and stigma and say your name. You will feel much better saying your name, even if you stuttered through it then giving yourself a nickname and thinking you can't say your name.

I find what helps is to not think about it prior to the time because you stress yourself out. Stress does no good. Not stressing about introducing yourself comes with time.

Like everything in life, practice makes perfect. Practice it at home. Then when your turn comes to say your name imagine that you are at home by yourself and saying your name, or imagine that the people are dolls. It works but you must not at all think about what others are thinking because then it won't work.

Good luck and enjoy.

you make good points but you need to gain some confidence before your able to say your name if you struggle with that a lot. theres so much failure a person can take, starting with small steps then building up your confidence is probably the best way to handle it in the long run.

especially when you have to introduce yourself for example on the first day of class nobody wants to embarrass themselves like that if theres another option thats simpler.

[nuno1976]

As a covert stutterer saying my first name has always been my biggest fear, especially in situations like in a class room where everybody is required to get up and introduce themselves. For me that meant (and still means, to some extent) absolute panic!

For years I tried techniques to avoid stuttering when saying my name, but nothing seemed to work. Then, one day, I realized that it isn't such a big deal and now, most of the times, I'm able to stutter openly when saying my name. It's almost as if, by being honest and admitting openly that I stutter on my name, the pressure is relieved.

I mean, if I know beforehand that I WILL stutter when saying my name, then I don't even have to make an effort to avoid stuttering because it's useless. This removes the anxiety and, as a result, I stutter less.

Of course, this is a process, you can't just flip a switch in your brain. My advice to you is, don't avoid saying your name, don't use nicknames, I think it will only make you feel worse. I know it's though...

[Derek181]

hahha i just thought of this, its probably pretty stupid but i wonder if you recorded saying your name like over and over and put it on your ipod and then every time you had to introduce yourself listen to your ipod hahahha

[Mcnutters]

I have same problem i can say my last name.....easy but first name D-D-D *eyes shut looks like im retarded* ANNY ANNY YEA DANNY :D but sometimes i get lucky and say uhhh uhh Danny :D i go to school tommorrow im scared teachers will ask my name :O

[nerrad]

^^ I hate having a name that starts with a D too (Darren). That's one of the reasons I hate the first day of school or meeting new people. BTW my first day of school is tomorrow!!! I'm super nervous. But I can deal

[thatCALIdude]

I have my first day of school tomorrow as well, the most stressful day of the school year for me even though i know i have some presentations in my classes.