When Is It OKAY To Give Up/Quit?

[MatthewSNJ8]

They always say never give up, and this might be true MOST of the time, but you also have to know when you're beat and when you're not making process. I COULD be fluent , and WAS fluent for various periods of time. And it felt GREAT, and like I was on the top of the world. I went to the Hollins Research Communication Institute in 1997, 13 years and 1 month ago to this date as I type. And from there, well outside I can pretty much say anything. There was a period for about 2 years where I don't think that I stuttered or blocked AT ALL. I didn't use any techniques or anything, what I mainly did was perform, quote lines from movies, tell jokes, put on comedy acts, laugh while talking, etc. I was able to give oral presentations during class, was able to read, was able to speak to myself fluently, etc. Fast forward to now. Now, that's ALL GONE. I've used techniques that have worked and been fluent on the inside AND outside, but for some reason, sfter a few months, or weeks, etc, they just stopped working and I went back to my old way. In fairness though, I DID stop practicing for two of three of the times when I was fluent overall, and looking back, that was a real STUPID choice. But I was using technique. It all went decent on the whole. I was able to be fluent in a NUMBER of situations.

[DisfluentGirl]

I know how you feel. Sometimes it's good to let it all out and just vent. Cry, scream, write it down! The power of releasing your emotions on paper is pretty powerful. What you don't want to do is repress your emotions because later on it will affect you even worse either physically or emotionally.
There's times when I just want to end my life but after I cry, scream and write it down in a diary or on this forum I feel much better. I feel like I have more strength and it makes me not want to give up.

You said you've been fluent before for periods of time so that's proof that you can do it again! Just work on your state of mind. I find that EFT, the Sedona Method and the Emotion Code have helped me with this.
Also practice your techniques!
Just remember that you aren't alone. We are all in this together.

[Thecoherentman]

But I was using technique. It all went decent on the whole. I was able to be fluent in a NUMBER of situations.

You tried gymnastic techniques to fly ("effortlessly" ) over your inhibitions. Your inhibitions kept growing and adapting to your gymnastic skills until they were just a tad higher than your maximum flying range and a bit stronger than your maximum will power. If you start feeling your inhibitions and respect them they will turn softer and softer and they will lend their energy to give maturity to your speech. You have a chance to practice alone as you stutter when alone by yourself. You can get result in 3-4 days.

[TheMechanic]

It's NEVER OK to give up!

[Bass Cadet]

I had a similar experience with the McGuire Program. I was fluent for about a year and in fairness didnt keep up my technique...too much spontaneous speech. I reverted back to my usual stuttering...Im still in touch with the McGuire program and the annoying thing is, the technique does still work for me, i just find it harder and harder to put into everyday speaking situations.

I could quit too and at times I have thought about it but there are many more techniques out there and many approaches. I think its about finding the one that suits you and the one you are still able to dedicate time too even when you are fluent. That is what I find the hardest. If you're coming here airing your fears then I think you've answered your own question, you're not ready to quit either...Just have to get back up and fight again

[howeee]

Not is it only ok to quit trying to be fluent, it is probably the smartest thing you could do. Somebody posted to practice no matter what, my advice is not to practice any of that stuff no matter what.

At 40 years old I looked back on my 35 years of going to well over 20 therapists and therapies. I recognized that all that therapy took me from a mild stutterer to a severe one with all kind of crazy secondary symptoms.
I swore off all therapy and accepted the fact I will be a person who stutters the rest of my life.

Since that time I went from a severe stutterer to a mild to moderate one, with 99% of my secondaries gone.

Stuttering was once a thick fog surrounding my every thought and every move.

Today stuttering is a tiny cloud somewhere in the backround of my life. I dont obsess about upcoming speaking situations and I dont lament after if I stutter in any situation. Acceptance has freed me from the shackles of stuttering.

It is funny to me that everyone has almost the exact story about therapy, coming out fluent or somewhat fluent, only to have a relapse. But still they give advice to keep practicing and going to therapies. Somebody said the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and keep getting the same failed results.

I have corresponded with many other stutterers who have had my almost exact experience.

just my 2 cents, howie