- Subscribe to RSS Feed
- Mark Topic as New
- Mark Topic as Read
- Float this Topic for Current User
- Bookmark
- Subscribe
- Mute
- Printer Friendly Page
TW. ?
Does anybody else feel like their faking it? My whole life I've been a confident person. I'm the first person to rise their hand in class, or I was. The person to start a conversation and anything else like that. But recently I can't even talk to my friends without stuttering or mixing up words. The other day I went out with friends and there were two people I didn't know and we went to order ice cream and I strutted so badly I just stopped talking and walked away. What's happening? I want to feel normal again. Why can I speak to some people and not others? Why is this happing Now? Does anybody else feel this way?
Comments
Hi @Jack-Hope thank you for sharing your experiences. I can see that the experience of stuttering has been taking its toll on you and it must have been shocking to have it start happening so suddenly. It can feel really uncomfortable and embarrassing to not be able to get your words out. And I can see how that has been a huge blow to your confidence and made you feel worried about taking part in things you normally do. Since it sounds like this has come on quite suddenly, it might be best to follow @Chloe-RO 's advice and see a professional such as a GP. They might be able to refer you to someone like a speech pathologist.
There's already some really good advice on here but I also wanted to add that it's completely okay to stutter and take a moment before continuing to speak. I work in a role that requires speaking to people all day. I have always had some trouble getting my words out and will often mix up my words or stutter in nerve-wracking situations and when talking to strangers. While it can feel pretty embarrasing, there's nothing wrong with stopping mid-sentence, taking a breath and then continuing. I usually stop, say something like "sorry, what I meant was..." and then continue. If you don't act embarrassed and play it off as one of your quirks, then people tend to believe that it wasn't embarrasing for you and it normalises it. The more you do it, the more you realise it's totally okay and doesn't (and shouldn't) affect the way people think of you. You can be confident and stutter too!
Hey there @Jack-Hope 👋 I have just caught up with your thread and wanted to see how you’re going today?
It seems like dealing with the stuttering has been really distressing for you, and has taken a real toll on your confidence. It's completely understandable that you’re worried about how this might affect your life moving forward. Having the stuttering stop you from doing the things you love is a really scary thought to have. When you find yourself stuttering, have you noticed any thoughts or feelings that arise in those moments?
I want to reassure you that stuttering or mixing up words is a really common thing to experience, especially when meeting or talking to someone you’re not familiar with. It can be a super nerve-wracking situation for a lot of people, so try not to be too hard on yourself.
I’m sorry to hear that your family is going through a lot at the moment. Sounds like with everything going on, you’re worried about adding extra burden on your parents with your concerns. While being the oldest child often comes with special responsibilities, it's important to remember that you deserve support from your family as well. Your experiences and feelings are valid, and I wonder if they might be more understanding and supportive than you think?
I don't really think anything when it happens it's more of a feeling. It feels like drowning like there's water all around me its a lot
@Jack-Hope That does certainly sound distressing, a pretty overwhelming feeling to be dealing with. A small thing you could try is, whenever you're feeling this way to just stop for a moment and take three deep, slow breaths. Deepening the breath can help to calm our nervous system. Might not seem like much, but it may help a little bit.
Have you been able to speak to your parents at all?
This feeling only really happens when a am speaking so I can't really stop to just breathe and I haven't spoken to my parents about this at all.
@Jack-Hope I guess if it happens, you can pause to take a few breaths after saying what you want to say?
It's definitely something that you could get some support for, whether you tell your parents, or seek counselling or something for it. Might be helpful to be able to hash it out with someone - or even practice with a therapist on what to do if you feel that feeling taking over.
Hi there @Jack-Hope ,
Thank you for posting. It must be hard to see this change yet not understand why it is happening. I read that you in yourself are a confident person, yet this stuttering has started.
I'm curious to know a little bit more about what you mean "Does anybody else feel like they are faking it?" Do you mean by the stuttering, the confidence, or something totally different?
I'm wondering whether you feel the stuttering is coming from anxiety, or whether there are other factors at play such as physical factors. If the stuttering continues and is really bothering you, it would be a good idea to speak to your GP about it.
What do you think?
When you say other factors what do you mean by that? Do you think there's a way I can bet better
Hi, it means a lot that you replied. When I said that I thinking about the stuttering because from what I've seen other people stutter all the time and not just around certain people and some days it's worse than other days and it's just getting really bad in the last couple of months. I really am a confident person I wear what I want, do what I like doing and I'm not afraid to try new things. I'm scared that if the stuttering continues I might stop doing the things I love because I don't want to draw attention to myself. I've stopped talking in class and it might affect my grades. Another thing I want to mention is I'm 15 and I'm scared my parents might not believe me because I speak perfectly in front of them. As well as this my mums in jail and when she was pregnant with my sister she did drugs so now she has mental issues. I live with my dad and step mum and my three siblings and they're already stressed. I'm the oldest so I'm not meant to be an issue and what if they think something is wrong with me? I've spent years making sure they are proud of me and this stupid stutter might ruin it. I know they care and love me but I'm so scared.
Hey there @Jack-Hope ,
Thank you for responding. I'm sorry to hear that this stuttering continues to affect you. I hear you are afraid.
When I wrote 'other factors', I mean physical factors. I'm not a doctor, so I cannot say what the cause it, but if it persists, it can have a lasting effect on your mental health (which I can see it is affecting already). You may want to read this article about stuttering. Sometimes, the fear of stuttering can add to the stuttering. It would be great if you could speak to someone about it. Would you consider seeing your GP? Or even if you contact Health Direct, they may be able to better support you about what to do.
I hear you want to do your family proud. It sounds like you have tried so hard to better yourself in life, so good on you! We are here to support you.
Feel free to let us know how you go.
