I can cure myself!

[Blueberrypie]

One thing that has always confused me is how I can say any word some of the time without any problem, but yet under certain pressures I have blocks. To me, it would seem that there is empiracle evidence that I can be a completely fluent speaker. So that the problem is NOT that I CANNOT say certain words, but that I cannot produce the words in certain circumstances or moments. Therefore I am convinced that I can completely cure myself with practice.

But so far I have been unsuccessful. I do not want to be a stutterer. I want to be able to disassociate myself from the concept altogether and be completely cured. Do you guys think that this is possible?

[Mullen]

If there isn't a genetic component to your stuttering, I think you probably can.

[Silent]

If there isn't a genetic component to your stuttering, I think you probably can.
I don't think there is a fine line separating stuttering with a genetic component and stuttering without one.
My understanding is that there is no single gene or trait responsible for stuttering, it's only some predispositions that are genetic. If you're predisposed, you're more likely to develop a stutter.

[Count]

I want to be able to disassociate myself from the concept altogether and be completely cured. Do you guys think that this is possible?

Sorry, Blueberry darling, but there is no cure from stuttering. Once I was a teenager and had my dreams of finding cure, but this was a waste of time. Now I face the harsh reality. It's possible to learn control your stuttering though! That's what I'm going to do in a special intensive therapy soon.

[Stevelaz]

One thing that has always confused me is how I can say any word some of the time without any problem, but yet under certain pressures I have blocks. To me, it would seem that there is empiracle evidence that I can be a completely fluent speaker. So that the problem is NOT that I CANNOT say certain words, but that I cannot produce the words in certain circumstances or moments. Therefore I am convinced that I can completely cure myself with practice.

But so far I have been unsuccessful. I do not want to be a stutterer. I want to be able to disassociate myself from the concept altogether and be completely cured. Do you guys think that this is possible?

I would try and not get hung on on the word "cure", its putting too much pressure on yourself and is counter-productive.

Stuttering is not a 'disease' and therefore cannot be cured per se, that said, you can get into a position where you can produce eloquent and 'fluent' speech without the usual stresses and anxiety that we usually have.

I have met many people, who have been out of control stutterers in the past, who now have such control of their speech, you would not know that they had a past problem and do not worry about their speech....just takes hard work and commitment.

Dont put undue pressure on yourself as it will make your speech worse and if you have the odd stumble, dont beat yourself up over it....even "fluent people" stumble and stammer at times.

I know the frustration of being able to say something in one situation but not in another, so its not a mechanical problem....its root lays with how we think and how we deal with stress and anxiety about our speech.........we need to push out the boundaries more and this will dispel a good deal of the fear.

[Mullen]

I don't think there is a fine line separating stuttering with a genetic component and stuttering without one.
My understanding is that there is no single gene or trait responsible for stuttering, it's only some predispositions that are genetic. If you're predisposed, you're more likely to develop a stutter.

One theory is that all stuttering is due to genetic factors, but for those who are unable to overcome their stuttering there are additional genetic factors that make the tendency to stutter more persistent. But I have yet to hear of someone with a family background of stuttering who overcame their impediment. On the otherhand I have heard of people with no family history of stuttering who were "cured": Tiger Wood being a notable example. It would be interesting to find out whether any of Joe Biden's and Bruce Willis' parents stuttered.

[Silent]

On the otherhand I have heard of people with no family history of stuttering who were "cured"
I have no family history of stuttering that I'm aware of. Yet to say my stutter is treatment-resistant would be a great understatement.

[Be YOURSELF]

One thing that has always confused me is how I can say any word some of the time without any problem, but yet under certain pressures I have blocks. To me, it would seem that there is empiracle evidence that I can be a completely fluent speaker. So that the problem is NOT that I CANNOT say certain words, but that I cannot produce the words in certain circumstances or moments. Therefore I am convinced that I can completely cure myself with practice.

But so far I have been unsuccessful. I do not want to be a stutterer. I want to be able to disassociate myself from the concept altogether and be completely cured. Do you guys think that this is possible?

You can cure your self by practicing what? What are you actually doing to ease it?

[Kryt]

It's going to be more of a case of focussing on the subconscious cause of the stutter rather than waiting for some miracle pill that won't appear.
How many of us can speak entirely fluently when talking to ourselves? How many of us can speak into a Dictaphone perfectly fine, but can't speak to someone over a phone? And of course with people you've very comfortable with - i.e. spouse or best friend? Then singing, using accents etc. I can reel off convincing indian, irish, welsh, scouse, geordie and southern state american accents without a blemish.

There's a certain tension, or a certain something that is only active when another person is involved. Knowing this, I will happily slap any person that tells me to "calm down", "take it easy" or "it's a confidence problem" when they haven't a clue what they're talking about.

So, how do you get into the subconscious in the first place? Hypnotherapy is one of the first things most people will suggest, and this will indeed help in the short term. Does it get into the subconscious? No, but it does relax you. Hypnotherapy relies almost solely on there being a cause, a previous reason for something to have started in the first place. What if you've always had your stutter? What if, like me it gradually started from a fairly late age, but there was absolutely no catalyst or reason for it to start?

It's a highly complex matter which like many other mental disorders will be pondered over for years and years, and no amount of coaching will cure it. As proven by many celebrity and many posts on here, you can certainly teach yourself to avoid it, but it's still there.

[sst]

Why do people continue to use the word "cure" in regard to stuttering? There is no cure that we know of right now. It's very misleading that people use that word. Let's face it, this is something that each of us has to battle in our own way. A cure? Not in our lifetimes. Nobody who is fluent seems to care about stutterers.

[Mullen]

Let's face it, this is something that each of us has to battle in our own way.

We all have different personalities, different backgrounds; we all find ourselves in different situations with different ambitions in life. I couldn't agree with that statement more.

[sst]

We all have different personalities, different backgrounds; we all find ourselves in different situations with different ambitions in life. I couldn't agree with that statement more.

Also just the way each other us stutter, it's unique. It's funny I just kind of realized that as I typed this.

[sst]

Oops, that didn't make sense hehe.

I meant, just the way each of us stutter, is unique.

[Mullen]

The only other person I've ever known for any time who had a pronounced stutter was my father, and he seemed to stutter just the way I do; i.e. he blocked on words he was trying to say. He had no facial or bodily contortions, just a labor of speech that was at time excrutiating.

I'm much better at hiding my stutter than my father, but when I can't avoid it, it comes up just as badly as his.

[sst]

I think I'm the only one in my family who stutters. It's pretty odd that nobody acknowledges it, it's like an open secret.

[Jamus]

No one else in my family or even extended family has ever stuttered. At least not to my knowledge. My stutter can be extremely severe at times.. as in blocking or having repetitions every other word. Then there are times where 95% of my words just flow out of my mouth. And in both situaitons they tend to be consistent, and not just a temporary 'bad' or 'good' moment.

No one in my family and extended family has ever anknowledged my stutter. It's a shame b/c I want to share what I know with them, and I know they want to know about it too. I feel they are like almost everyone else, that it is something that is taboo and is not talked about. Like it is a weakness that I should be ashamed of or embarrassed about, and therefore not talked about. I have never thought of it in that way EVER! I make it a point to bring it up during normal conversation. An ice breaker.

[Asif]

There is no cure. Can you cure yourself from having blue eyes? Or from being intelligent? You can embark upon a voyage of self-discovery that may bring you to understanding. You can learn to put up with yourself and forgive yourself for the mess you make out of speech. The trouble you go through as a result of your impediment inevitably has it's advantages too. While not a "cure", these advantages allow you to see life in a way few other people ever do.
I can say from my own experience, that the worst of stutterers can one dayfind themselves without a stutter, without even realizing the change.

[Silent]

There is no cure. Can you cure yourself from having blue eyes? Or from being intelligent?
Sure you can :)

Here are some effective 'cures' for these two 'afflictions', respectively:
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11730644/Blue_Brown_Gray_Green_Black_Color_Contact_Lenses.j pg
http://img.alibaba.com/photo/11794554/Vodka_Brand_Name_And_High_Quality.jpg

And seriously, I don't think this is a good analogy; stuttering is a disability, the other things are anything from neutral to desirable.

I believe stuttering can be cured and we're closer to it than ever.

[Asif]

Here is a classic case of the difficulty inherent in the very act of communication...
First we have to define what "cure" means. Without that we can argue forever. While we are at it, maybe we should see what "disability" means too.
I will not rob anyone of the pleasure of looking these words up in a dictionary, but I will say this:
Some people say homouality can be cured.
Others say it is normal, so there can be no cure.
Others say it is heterouals that need to be cured.
And others say there is no cure for it.

This whole subject can get very heated, with all sides cling that their viewpoint is not only the right one but the "obvious" one.
All sides have an opinion. None of them can really be said to be either right or wrong.
What is important - but so often overlooked - is that there is a problem here that needs to be discussed openly and honestly:
1: - by calling things what they actually are, and not using politically correct euphemisms, or entirely ambiguous words.
2: - by carefully considering opposing viewpoints in case there is some validity in them.
3: - by realizing that because somebody may not agree with you, it does not mean that they are the enemy, to be condemned and written off as human beings.

I personally do not think stuttering can be "cured" as this implies passivity.
I do think stuttering is a disability that can be alleviated by many things, none of which are easy or quick.
I believe that a stutterer will always be one, even if nobody else is aware of it. The most difficult thing of all is for stutterers themselves to accept that they are no longer stutterers.
And finally let me add: I may be completely wrong :)

[Mullen]

I believe that a stutterer will always be one, even if nobody else is aware of it. The most difficult thing of all is for stutterers themselves to accept that they are no longer stutterers.


I think that is true. Even if I overcame my stutter, just the thought that I'd shame myself if I did would probably always be in the back of my mind, skewing the way I related to other people.

[Silent]

I've heard of cases where stuttering completely disappeared after a brain lesion resulting from an accident or stroke. That is a *cure* to me, and a quick and passive one.

[Violet]

I've heard of cases where stuttering completely disappeared after a brain lesion resulting from an accident or stroke. That is a *cure* to me, and a quick and passive one.

i have always wished that would happen to me :p
that or a magical fairy would by sympathetic and cure me bahaha

when i was younger when ever i got a wish chip i would wish for my stutter to go away. haha if only those chips really did have healing qualities.. :rolleyes:

[sst]

I've heard of cases where stuttering completely disappeared after a brain lesion resulting from an accident or stroke. That is a *cure* to me, and a quick and passive one.

So should we all go out looking to get brain damage? ;)

[Box of Clocks]

when i was younger when ever i got a wish chip i would wish for my stutter to go away. haha if only those chips really did have healing qualities.. :rolleyes:

May I ask what a wish chip is? I have never heard of this before.

[Silent]

So should we all go out looking to get brain damage? ;)
Maybe nanotechnology will come to our aid some day.

[Mullen]

Maybe nanotechnology will come to our aid some day.

Do you think a labotomy might improve my speech?;)

[Violet]

May I ask what a wish chip is? I have never heard of this before.

oh hahaa you're from the UK right? well my chips are your ..crisps (?) ahha i get so confused about which countries call what what.. like with "peanut butter and jelly sandwiches" i hear that and get an image of a peanut butter and jelly a.k.a jello (?) sandwhiches :p

ahaha but when you get a packet of chips.. say salt and vinager cause they're my favourite.. and one of them are folded over that's a wish chip :D haha and then when you eat it you wish for anything in the world! haha i'm such a kid :D

[Silent]

Do you think a labotomy might improve my speech?;)
Not lobotomy, but something more precise could... There was an article titled "Cutting out stuttering" that I came across years ago, can't seem to find a freely available version right now...

[Violet]

Not lobotomy, but something more precise could... There was an article titled "Cutting out stuttering" that I came across years ago, can't seem to find a freely available version right now...

not sure how i would feel about someone cutting into my brain thats abit risky dont you think? you could like end up even worse off than you already are!

i had a EEG and a MRI a couple months ago to see if they could pick up any minor brain damage which could have possibly occured when i was born or something (my mum was in labor for 36 hours baha) but my brain appears to be a-okay so thats a relief i suppose.. :D

[Silent]

not sure how i would feel about someone cutting into my brain thats abit risky dont you think? you could like end up even worse off than you already are!
When the Wright brothers made that first flight it was risky too... today planes are the safest means of travel.
It would take some guinea pigs to reach the same level of sophistication but there are enough desperate stutterers out there ;)

[happy7117]

Brain damage or struck?? Interesting!!

[Asif]

Quote:
> "So should we all go out looking to get brain damage?"

Lol :) Quick, passive brain damage might just do it!
Just be careful what you wish for: you may just get it...

But seriously: looking for a "cure" - whatever a cure is - seems sure to put the onus on the cure and not on how we ourselves deal with the problem.
Act as if there is no cure and work all you can on yourself.
No work, done on self-development, is ever wasted.
Meanwhile: If a cure shows up: so much the better.

[squiggles]

Asif:
thank you for your words of wisdom!

I agree with you. I dont believe there is a cure, but I do think stuttering can slowly be dissolved through uncovering truths about yourself that enforce a more healthy state of mind.


Back to the original post,

"So that the problem is NOT that I CANNOT say certain words, but that I cannot produce the words in certain circumstances or moments. Therefore I am convinced that I can completely cure myself with practice."

Stuttering is a social interaction problem. Stutterers are far more fluent alone, if not completely fluent.

Its because we stutterers are so concerned with what others think of us.
But the truth is that we dont really know what others are thinking of us, we unfairly mind read others.
I catch myself doing it all the time.
If I stutter in front of someone, in my mind I go across the room and view the situation from their perspective. And we stutterers certainly aren't nice to ourselves when we wonder about what others are thinking of us after we stutter.
We continuously devastate ourselves with this way of thinking, and the stuttering system remains self reinforced.


I feel that to dissolve stuttering, we must identify and right these many issues we have with ourselves, so that we can be confident in our entire being. (fluency will follow)

[squiggles]

Asif:
thank you for your words of wisdom!

I agree with you. I dont believe there is a cure, but I do think stuttering can slowly be dissolved through uncovering truths about yourself that enforce a more healthy state of mind.


Back to the original post,

"So that the problem is NOT that I CANNOT say certain words, but that I cannot produce the words in certain circumstances or moments. Therefore I am convinced that I can completely cure myself with practice."

Stuttering is a social interaction problem. Stutterers are far more fluent alone, if not completely fluent.

Its because we stutterers are so concerned with what others think of us.
But the truth is that we dont really know what others are thinking of us, we unfairly mind read others.
I catch myself doing it all the time.
If I stutter in front of someone, in my mind I go across the room and view the situation from their perspective. And we stutterers certainly aren't nice to ourselves when we wonder about what others are thinking of us after we stutter.
We continuously devastate ourselves with this way of thinking, and the stuttering system remains self reinforced.


I feel that to dissolve stuttering, we must identify and right these many issues we have with ourselves, so that we can be confident in our entire being. (fluency will follow)

[Howard]

The title of this thread is "I can cure myself". Not "I can use a cure". I think the confusion in terms is that this has never been about 'a cure' (noun), but a way 'to cure' (verb).
Seeking a cure to stuttering is like seeking a wish granted. It's taking away responsibility from ourselves to actually challenge it and fix it; cure it, all on our own. I think blueberry, that you are on to something.

I no longer consider myself a 'stutterer' because similar to what Asif was saying, I was one of those who 'woke up one day without a stutter'. But I wasn't asleep when the awakening happened. It was a collection of sudden understandings about the world around me, the people in it, and of course myself. I was too young to be able to tell you how I came to have these thoughts, but I would guess it was through looking at things properly.
The way I think now, is that instead of thinking about what I will say in a situation, or about what people might think of me, I say to myself that it doesn't matter. I can't solve a problem that hasn't happened yet.

Of course I still wouldn't call myself a 100% 'flent' speaker. But I don't think many people at all do :). Keep trucking Blueberry, perhaps your 'awakening' isn't so far away as you might think!