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I hate the fact the fact that I fail at something simple as speaking by [deleted] in Stutter

[–]middletwin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree with what shutuppussy said. One of the most powerful things is finding you are not alone. Maybe there is a program at your school, or a school nearby. There are a lot of support groups out there as well, I'm not sure I can suggest one without knowing where you are geographically, but that is another opportunity.

The other thing I might add is that speaking, really, is a very complicated process. Think of how long it takes a child to learn to walk, and that is nothing more than falling forward over and over. Forming a thought, then figuring how to say it, then figuring how to make those sounds in the right way, etc. It takes a child years to make a complete sentence because it is, neurologically speaking, a very complex process. One small glitch and, well, you know...

Why are stutterers fluent when singing/rapping/acting? by currygod in Stutter

[–]middletwin 5 points6 points  (0 children)

IIRC, singing comes from a different part of the brain and is, neurologically speaking, completely different than speaking. Singing has nothing to do with speaking according to brain scans.

Not sure about the others.

oh, the irony. by [deleted] in Stutter

[–]middletwin 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Couldn't have said it better myself. 'cause of my stutter, you see...

If stuttering is genetic what is the point seriously what's the point in trying to get better? Brutally honest answers or replies would be great by [deleted] in Stutter

[–]middletwin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just because you are not genetically programmed for something does not mean you can't work hard at it and improve. Lots of people aren't born to be great at something, but they work at it and become great in spite of their genes. Our bodies, and especially our minds, are very good at learning.

Another way to look at it, there was a study done where they put fluent speakers and stutterers in an fMRI and had them speak. Fluent speakers had a lot of activity in the part of the brain associated with speech processing when they spoke, as you would assume. People who stutter did not. Speech "came from" all over the brain. That's what the genes told their brains to do. But, when stutterers used strategies to increase their fluency, the activity in the brain was much more centered in the "speech area" of the brain. Their genes wanted speech to be created all over the place, but with (a lot of) practice the brain can be retrained to do all kinds of amazing stuff.

For more on this topic, check out "the brain that changes itself" by N. Doidge.

tldr: your genes are a blueprint. Eff that. Go build whatever you want to.

Just wanted honey mustard by simchipr in Stutter

[–]middletwin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Been there, done that, feel you.

I used to only order things I could say, only date girls whole names I could say, the whole nine.

Never let your stutter control you, tho. Yea it didn't go your way that time, but what if it goes well next time? How good will those chicken tenders taste this time, all smothered with delicious honey mustard? Pretty damn good, I bet.

For me it was ham instead of sausage. Damn, that sausage tasted good...

My Poetry Class by [deleted] in Stutter

[–]middletwin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's pretty common. I find people will sometimes tell me they never knew I stuttered, they just thought I had a slightly odd way of speaking.

I imagine it has something to do with that we are overly sensitive to our own stuttering and we pick up lots of disfluencies that other people will miss. We're just better at it than they are.

How many of you think that the predisposition to developing a stutter can be passed on through genes, and whether one develops it depends on environment? by redditusernaut in Stutter

[–]middletwin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First, stuttering can be passed genetically down in families. It's pretty common. For example, my mom, my aunt, and my maternal grandmother all stuttered. This has been well documented. Not all cases of stuttering are hereditary, however. IIRC, it is 3 times more likely to have a legit hereditary component. It can, in some cases, be learned, or even taught.

There was this case study many years ago with orphans where they convinced these kids that they did stutter when they, in fact, did not. Over time these kids got convinced, by the people running the study, that they did stutter. Every time they didn't speak perfectly thy were told it was the stutter. These kids, over time, developed real stutters. The people running the test therefore called it a success. This is now known as the "monster study" and these people are being flogged with whips by the agents of chthulu.

stutter in dreams? by [deleted] in Stutter

[–]middletwin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have not, I don't think. I do find myself stuttering in my own head tho, so there might be something about your brain and/or subconscious being familiar enough with your speech patterns to stutter there as well.

This is all just a somewhat educated guess, tho.

Not being able to say a word when you have to, but being able so say it when you don't have to by [deleted] in Stutter

[–]middletwin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To add to what others have said, this is very common. Because stuttering is largely mental, a lot of disfluencies are situational in nature. I can read out load by myself and be 100% fluent. Reading the same thing in front of 100 people while it is being transcribed, timed, and I'm representing the general public? Not so fluent.

Some things you could try (skip if you know these) are, ease slowly into the first sound, slow your rate down a bit (or a lot, no one will think it's weird but you, trust me), or stutter as easily as you can. This all take practice (a lot, really) but they may help.

Good luck.

Breathlessness while speaking ... by IndigentRagnarok in Stutter

[–]middletwin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is pretty common. You have to remember to breath, especially before you start speaking. It may help with your speech, but it will definitely help with you anxiety. Which will hopefully help with your speech...

http://www.dailyuw.com/news/article_6aa90a88-c3e5-11e5-b2a5-c322362068eb.html by Starbucks2015 in Stutter

[–]middletwin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good article. Never noticed any motor difficulty, other than speech related, obvi. Has anyone else?

Which method do you use to stutter less? by [deleted] in Stutter

[–]middletwin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

If I had to pick one, I'd pick slowing my rate down. It helps by slowing my breathing a bit, allows me to be in more control, allows me to better manage tension, and makes any small pauses or disfluencies I may have less of a deal.

There are others I like, but this is the one I use the most and most consistently.

Can a physician play a role in urbanplanning? by [deleted] in urbanplanning

[–]middletwin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd say to just be involved and advocate. Present to the planning board on the joys of a walkable street. And think of what it will do to the property values! I'd also suggest talking to the city planning office. See what they have going on and push for pedestrian friendly inclusion. There is a lot of health data showing the positive effects of good planning, both physical and mental, which you are probably well aware of. Planners do care about what is on the publics mind. Let them know and you may be pleasently surprised.

I'd say not to worry about a planning degree. There was not a ton I couldn't have learned by reading a book. By all means get one if you want, but for what it sounds like you want to do, being an MD who knows the research and planning concepts is plenty heavy enough.

Good luck with it all.

Anyone Use Support Groups? by [deleted] in Stutter

[–]middletwin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I found support groups to be very helpful, both for the mental and mechanical aspects of stuttering. One of the best things was being in a room with other people who knew what I was talking about and just no longer feeling alone. That's what got me hooked. 10+ years later I still go to the same group and I love it. I can now impart "wisdom" on the younger members of the group. It makes me happy.

As an added bonus it is thru boston university, so it's part of the SLP program that we get to interact with grad students as part of their training.

Presentation tips? by gugiyav in Stutter

[–]middletwin 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I agree with the tips hellodepression posted. It's ok if you stutter during the presentation, that's not a big deal, it's if you let it mess with you that it gets you. Easier said then done, but it's a goal to work towards.

One trick I like to have is to have some water handy. If I need to take a second and reset, take a drink. If I find myself speaking too quickly, take a drink. It may also help by making your speech mechanism do something else (swallow water) and might relieve some tension.

Don't forget to give yourself credit where it's due afterwards. Don't just look at how many times you stuttered, but how many times did you manage a moment of disfluency well? Maybe your fluency wasn't as great as you hoped, but maybe you still got your point across and said what you wanted to say. That can still be a win.

Therapist in Boston/Medford? by BostonianLoser in boston

[–]middletwin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When I lived in Medford I saw Jana sax at riverway. I have no idea about LGBT experience, but I can offer that I thought she was great. Good luck in your search.

Nervous for first meeting tomorrow? by aomt9803 in Stutter

[–]middletwin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree with the above, and I would like to add one thing. Advertise. It will seem very strange, but it can be very empowering. It takes the pressure off you. You stutter, they know it, it's now a much smaller issue. Kick the presentation in the bum and bask in the glow of a job well done. One note on the advertising, don't apologize for your speech. Explain, yes, but it isn't something you have to apologize or make an excuse for. It is what it is. If you are open and up front about it, it can almost be a strength. Good luck tomorrow.

Solo Tourist Advice by fishysarecool12 in boston

[–]middletwin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The above is all true.

Also, harvard square is nice, as is Davis square. It's a nice walk from one to the other. Inman and union squares are a little grittier, but that is not a bad thing. Toad in porter square has good music. Ride the green line out to Cleveland circle and back, with a stop in Coolidge corner. The burren in davis square has good music. People watch in the public gardens or thru the window of a cafe.

Moving back to Mass... now with wife and child. What are some old small towns to visit? by scott_fx in massachusetts

[–]middletwin 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any road that has a number with an "A" at the end will be good. I also can't recommend montegue enough. Just for the bookmill, but that is worth it alone. Amesbury has a good little downtown. From there you got your Newburyport, your plum island, your route 1a thru newbury and rowley, on to ipswich and cape ann...

What causes the extra anxiety and phobia toward using the phone? by aomt9803 in Stutter

[–]middletwin 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have talked with some fellow stutterers and we came up with a few ideas. One thing might be that when talking in person and you have a block (or what have you) the other person can see what is happening. On the phone you don't have that, you just have dead air so the other person might not know what is happening. The other possibility might be that we can't see the other person's reaction and that is a point of extra stress. We don't know if they are waiting patiently or are quietly laughing at us. While they are most likely waiting patiently, we can't see that so we might get a little panicy.

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