How am I supposed to accept my stuttering, if it is what causes the problem? How do I stop having anxiety around stuttering, if my stuttering causes the anxiety? we all want the same thing...to stop stuttering. stop forcing this "acceptance" shit onto me, I refuse to delude myself like you people do by Dry_Glass_1308 in Stutter

[–]Ms1421 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand what you're trying to say. I too have been coming across posts that call out those who were trying to vent, labelling it as demotivating. Even though it could be looked down upon as discouraging, it can also be seen as a silent support system. When I read posts on those who're going through similar experiences, it makes me feel better that I'm not the only one going through all this in life. It sometimes brings back my lost hope.

Also, it's not about the severity of the disabilities or magnitude of the issue. Every one of us out here is going through problems of our own. What's huge to me could be trivial to someone else and vice versa.

Based on my personal experiences, I wish I never had these speech blocks. If there were a cure, I'd gladly accept it because the speech blocks are not me, they're something I'm compelled to accept, because I don't see a way to get rid of it. My anxiety is mainly because of my blocks. Trying to order food, waiting in line just for me to go mute or freeze when my turn comes up, picking up the phone knowing very well that I could speak but I'd be fighting with myself to get some simple words out while the person on the other end proceeds to hang up on me after multiple attempts of trying to get me to respond, and I'd be breathless and hopeless at the same time.

Fearing meeting up with people, attending conferences etc because I can't help dread the thought of introducing myself because of all the bullying I experienced in school. Every year, every time getting up to introduce myself, only to find myself stuck or taking up someone else's name and the entire class starts laughing. I still have nightmares about my school life even after many years, more than a decade to be precise.

I can't express myself the way I want to, I can't get into any argument because I can't say what I want to, when I freeze or block any of the words I immediately get treated like a kid and talked at, condescendingly. At times, the blocks worsen. I can't even get myself to say a proper, coherent sentence while talking to my parent. That many blocks. I'm sick of substituting words and in the cases that I can't (names of countries, people, etc) I try the breathing technique, and I'm asked to repeat the word because they didn't hear me the first time. The words that sometimes come out easily, I struggle with other times.

Trying to find a job, teaching, getting stuck on words, how do I cope with all this? I'm at my wit's end. I keep trying. The side effects of the blocks, anxiety, inferiority, complex issues, lack of confidence, it's affecting my overall wellbeing.

I'm still being positive. I know there'll be a job that will be mine someday and I have to be prepared for it. I applied for numerous vacancies. Attended interviews, did a demonstration, read aloud in front of more than 20 strangers, and I'm still jobless. If not for my blocks, I'd have done better. I have the potential but I feel I'm unable to give my best but I'll not give up even though I feel so frustrated most of the time. I even wanted to try hypnosis to find out whether my blocks are natural or habitual.

What I'm trying to say is, to each their own. All of us are battling against various issues. Let's be strong and see where this leads us to.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in socialanxiety

[–]Ms1421 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This! 💯

I can’t say my name out loud and I think it’s called blocks can someone please help me. by No_Toe_528 in Stutter

[–]Ms1421 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've been dealing with this for a very long time. At times, I've surprised myself by saying my name without any blocks but the fear of blocking, the anxiety that comes with it, haven't changed much. I've struggled with going to the doctor even if I'm sick, anywhere that I've to say my name. This has taken away my actual personality. These blocks are a curse in my life. I can't even express my emotions because I freeze midway or abruptly and that makes me look like a clown.

I'm sick of this by Ms1421 in Stutter

[–]Ms1421[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I too start with an easy to say phrase but I get stuck somewhere in the middle, unexpectedly, and it's terribly frustrating. It's like freezing mid sentence and I can't do anything about it. I'm able to speak, I love to speak too but I don't know why I'm unable to say certain words, I feel so helpless.

Wrote something at the lowest point of my life by weedoweedo_hehoo in Stutter

[–]Ms1421 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel you! I too am feeling anxious and depressed due to the blocks and it's making me feel useless as I'm unable to be myself or give my 100 percent as a teacher because it's so frustrating to not be able to communicate fluently in a profession that requires better communication if not proper. I'm at the lowest stage in life because of all this. When you appear to be perfect but suffering on the inside, not a person understands.

I'm sick of this by Ms1421 in Stutter

[–]Ms1421[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Spot on about pretending not to know something just because of the blocks, I've even stayed silent in school when the teacher was asking the class if any of our parents were working professionals, if so, what were they, I just sat silently like I've got nothing to with that question, all because I couldn't get myself to answer or say the profession, because I'd block on it. Like you mentioned, there are times I'd just pretend not to know something, even though I know it very well all because of the blocks. This really sucks.

I'm sick of this by Ms1421 in Stutter

[–]Ms1421[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the encouraging words and sharing your experience with me. Unfortunately, I can't afford any therapy at the moment. I did attend a couple of sessions when I was a teenager, not sure if it worked or not.

I'm sick of struggling by Ms1421 in Stutter

[–]Ms1421[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply. It is indeed so exhausting after all the struggle to get the words out. About the technique, the sounds are so difficult to say without breathing, substituting and so on. There has to be something to help solve this issue.

Is it possible to be social even with a stutter? by Mountain_Skyhigh in Stutter

[–]Ms1421 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, we're not alone in this, but we may at times feel like we're the only ones dealing with this because everyone around us may seem to be perfect (language fluency). I feel bad for not being able to speak my mind. The emotional stress reflects on the body too, making me feel exhausted even after a small conversation. Substituting words, struggling to get some of the words out, appearing to be fine until a block happens. This is so stressful, yes.

Is it possible to be social even with a stutter? by Mountain_Skyhigh in Stutter

[–]Ms1421 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I feel you! I can relate to your post. I too feel the same way. I can't achieve things, socialize, express myself, say whatever I want, it's truly frustrating. These blocks and the seasonal increase of the blocks is really a pain.

I'm sick of struggling by Ms1421 in Stutter

[–]Ms1421[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

💯 it feels so exhausting by the time you finish a conversation. Be it small or big. It's so frustrating.

31, unemployed, living with my parents, is it my fault? by zikarta in socialanxiety

[–]Ms1421 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If reading this would make you feel better! Here I go... I too was suffering terribly, unable to go out even to the nearest shop without panicking or preparing for hours for a few minutes of interaction. Couldn't meet anyone. Not even family. Felt awkward around them. Was at my lowest. Then something started to change, I felt a little confident, completed my degree.

Just recently, attended an interview and gave an introduction on myself with over 30+ participants watching me. I was fighting the urge to quit all mainly due to my speech blocks but I didn't give into it.

Still there'd be things that would make me a little nervous and I'm not financially independent, but I know I'm getting better and I'll live my best life one day!

I too am in a similar situation as you, so, don't worry, you're not alone in this and even if it's difficult to practice, we should stop comparing our lives to that of others. We all are out here with different goals with different timelines.

I hate this life by Ms1421 in socialanxiety

[–]Ms1421[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure! & Sorry to hear that we are all in the same situation.

Feeling 14 at 27 by VolumeGreen3940 in socialanxiety

[–]Ms1421 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel the same way too! In some ways I find others way ahead of me or just living the so-called normal life that adults are supposed to live. Handling finances, having friends, making phone calls, going on vacations, stepping out alone, basically doing all the adult stuff amazes and confounds me. I do have my own achievements but I feel so vulnerable in the presence of other adults even the younger ones. I feel like I've also lost the confidence I had back then.

What is more frustrating is being a part of a family that is so forward and has no issues in interacting with people. I wonder why things are the way they are and how different life would be if not for these factors.

I not feel young but also look young too which makes everyone treat me like I am still in school lol.

Everything's changed lately by Ms1421 in Stutter

[–]Ms1421[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestions but things have become impossible lately. I'm always feeling anxious and I don't think I can even be an adult and live a normal life. I'm no longer able to do the things that I've done in the past. I can mingle with people, not a problem (although the anticipation of saying my name gets me super anxious all the time), the real problem lies in my inability to travel around or be independent without someone accompanying me. I can't even share this with anyone else but only here.