Why have I suddenly started stuttering?
Can you suddenly start stuttering or stammering as an adult?
Many people contact us to tell us that they have suddenly started stuttering. It may be that they stuttered as a child but the stutter either resolved or it was not having an impact on their lives. Rather than starting to stutter suddenly, their earlier stuttering may have come back unexpectedly.
Why might stuttering return in adulthood?
There are several reasons why stuttering or stammering might reappear later in life. It may be that you are feeling stressed or anxious – that you are having changes in your life such as:
Moving into a new job role where communication is important
Preparing for job interviews or important presentations
Preparing for an oral exam
These situations may lead you to tense your muscles and lead to more stuttering, or that you are noticing the stutter more than before, in the preparation to these important events.
Can stress or anxiety make me start stuttering again?
Although people vary, we know that when someone is feeling anxious or nervous, they tend to stutter more. You might be feeling anxious about stuttering in front of others or concerned about how your listener will react, or what they will think if they hear you stutter. When we feel anxious or nervous, it is usually because we are expecting the worst to happen. You might be saying things to yourself like “I won’t be able to say my name” or “They’ll think there’s something wrong with me” This may lead you to tense your muscles, may distract you from focusing on what you want to say as you try hard either to be fluent or to hide your stuttering. This can all lead to more stuttering. It is important to remember that while you may stutter more when you are feeling anxious or nervous, these feelings are not the cause of stuttering.
Can working from home or video calls make stuttering worse?
It may be that work situations have changed – since the Pandemic, many people are working from home using video conferencing which may have been something you previously avoided. People report seeing themselves on videoconferencing has made them stutter more and to become more aware of the stutter.
Can stuttering really start suddenly in adulthood with no past history?
For a few people, stuttering does begin suddenly in adulthood with no previous history. This may occur as a result of a neurological event, such as a stroke or head injury, and is known as a neurogenic stammer.
In other cases, stuttering may appear after an emotional trauma or significant psychological stress, and is sometimes called psychogenic stuttering.
These types of adult-onset stammering are less common, but they do occur. That’s why it’s important to seek professional assessment if your stammer has appeared suddenly.
Do you have a waiting list?
No - you can be seen within one week of the consultation
How can speech and Langauge Therapy help with stuttering?
Speech and Language Therapy can be effective in reducing the impact that stuttering is having on your day to day life. You can develop your confidence to communicate, learn how to respond differently to your thoughts and feelings about stuttering and to learn strategies to make talking easier and more comfortable.
Stuttering does not have to hold you back.
Why Choose Online Stammering Therapy with The Speech Network?
Alison, (MSc, BA(Hons), BRIEF Cert. SF Practice) our UK based Clinical Specialist Speech Therapist in Stuttering has 28 years’ experience of working in the field of Stuttering. She has worked at the Michael Palin Centre in London (an International Centre of Excellence for the Treatment of Stuttering) and is one of the few Registered European Fluency Specialists in the UK.
Professional Memberships & Registrations
Alison is fully registered with leading professional organisations, including:
Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT)
The Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP)
She has outstanding 5 star ***** Google reviews.
Speech Therapy can support you in increasing your confidence, reducing your stress and anxiety around stuttering and developing strategies to make talking easier. Click on the contact us button to arrange a free consultation, or email us at thespeechnetwork@hotmail.com for more information.