Boo
11-28-2005, 05:12 PM
Hi everyone
I must say it feels very strange actually reading about other people who have a stammer, for so long you carry on in your own life believing there's no one out there who can possibly be going through what you're going through!
Anyway, hope everyone is well and their speech is having a good day!
Anyway, to introduce myself, female, 23, from London. I've had a stammer ever since I was a young child, various things could have started it, the main culprit I think being my sibling having a very serious illness around that time.
I work in Central London in a busy office, taking calls and speaking to lots of people! There was a time when I never EVER thought I could ever work in a job like this. I've had some really really dark periods in my life, when it seemed like so much of an effort to speak, I more or less stopped talking!
I do still go through periods when my speech is really bad, I have panic attacks when making calls, or being in those "pressurised" moments i.e talking in front of people! but you just have to believe that you can be relaxed with your stammer, and build your confidence back up.
I think stammering is a lot down to confidence, when I am feeling on top of the world, I feel like there's nothing holding me back from doing what I want, I even make a point of calling everyone in my phone book haha. But I'm sure as most of you will know, when the going gets tough, it really is hard work trying to find the confidence to make that telephone call, or go in the shop and ask for directions.
I find a lot of what has helped me in the last few years is when I just think to myself, "you know what?! F**k it! I have a stammer and no matter how much I try and hide it, or worry about it, its not going to go away, so unless I start accepting it and dealing with it, I'm going to have a very unhappy existence". And that's what I try and think every day now... my stammer is only weird to me, the people around me all know I stammer, it's no big deal to them if I stammer when talking to them.
I know it's easier said than done, but I truly believe if you accept your stammer for what it is, the worry and stress of talking will eventually get smaller. :)
Anyway good luck everyone, hope you have fluent and stress free times ahead :D
I must say it feels very strange actually reading about other people who have a stammer, for so long you carry on in your own life believing there's no one out there who can possibly be going through what you're going through!
Anyway, hope everyone is well and their speech is having a good day!
Anyway, to introduce myself, female, 23, from London. I've had a stammer ever since I was a young child, various things could have started it, the main culprit I think being my sibling having a very serious illness around that time.
I work in Central London in a busy office, taking calls and speaking to lots of people! There was a time when I never EVER thought I could ever work in a job like this. I've had some really really dark periods in my life, when it seemed like so much of an effort to speak, I more or less stopped talking!
I do still go through periods when my speech is really bad, I have panic attacks when making calls, or being in those "pressurised" moments i.e talking in front of people! but you just have to believe that you can be relaxed with your stammer, and build your confidence back up.
I think stammering is a lot down to confidence, when I am feeling on top of the world, I feel like there's nothing holding me back from doing what I want, I even make a point of calling everyone in my phone book haha. But I'm sure as most of you will know, when the going gets tough, it really is hard work trying to find the confidence to make that telephone call, or go in the shop and ask for directions.
I find a lot of what has helped me in the last few years is when I just think to myself, "you know what?! F**k it! I have a stammer and no matter how much I try and hide it, or worry about it, its not going to go away, so unless I start accepting it and dealing with it, I'm going to have a very unhappy existence". And that's what I try and think every day now... my stammer is only weird to me, the people around me all know I stammer, it's no big deal to them if I stammer when talking to them.
I know it's easier said than done, but I truly believe if you accept your stammer for what it is, the worry and stress of talking will eventually get smaller. :)
Anyway good luck everyone, hope you have fluent and stress free times ahead :D