What is interiorised or covert stuttering?
Interiorised stuttering is also known as covert stuttering. You may feel like you have a very mild stammer. An analogy is being like a swan - to others you appear to be gliding through the water, but non-one can see the effort of paddling below the surface.
What is interiorised or covert stammering?
Interiorised stammering, also known as covert stammering or covert stuttering, describes when someone works very hard to conceal their stammer. To others, your speech may sound fluent, but underneath there’s a constant effort to manage every word, sound, and sentence to avoid stammering.
An analogy often used is that of a swan gliding on water — appearing calm and effortless above the surface, while paddling frantically below.
Avoidance strategies can become so well-practised that it may seem, even to those closest to you, that you do not stammer at all.
Although your stammer might seem “mild” in terms of what others hear, the internal effort and emotional impact can be significant — it’s not necessarily less of a challenge, just a different one.
Why do people hide their stammer or stutter?
People often hide their stammer because of fear, shame, or embarrassment. You might worry about being judged or recognised as “someone who stammers.”
You may avoid certain words, sounds, people, or situations so that you don’t stammer — perhaps swapping words mid-sentence, or staying quiet altogether.
Although this can reduce visible stammering, the fear of stammering remains. Many people describe feeling immense pressure to appear fluent, and a sense of failure or frustration when stammering happens despite their efforts.
What does covert or interiorised stammering feel like day-to-day?
Even if your speech appears fluent, covert (or interiorised) stammering can be mentally and emotionally exhausting.
You might:
Constantly plan and monitor what you’re about to say
Replay conversations in your head afterwards
Avoid phone calls, introductions, or speaking in meetings
Feel anxious in social situations
Worry about being “found out”
This hidden effort can affect how you feel about yourself and your ability to communicate freely.
How can covert (or interiorised) stammering affect work and relationships?
You may have managed for years to hide your stammer, but it might now feel harder to keep up. Perhaps it’s beginning to affect your work, confidence, or relationships.
At work, you might avoid certain roles, meetings, or opportunities because of speaking demands.
In relationships, hiding your stammer can make open communication more difficult, and leave you feeling disconnected or misunderstood.
Although covert stammering can be invisible to others, its impact on daily life can be very real.
How can speech therapy help with covert or interiorised stammering?
Working with a speech and language therapist who understands covert stammering or stuttering can help you:
Explore the thoughts and feelings linked to hiding your stammer
Reduce avoidance behaviours and fear of stammering
Learn to communicate more openly and confidently
Rebuild a sense of ease and authenticity in your speech
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 and Language Therapy can support you in understanding covert stuttering, reducing your avoidance, reducing your negative feelings about stuttering and being a person who stutters to make talking easier and enable you to confidently say all you want to say when you want to say it. We are Clinical Specialists in Stammering. Feel free to book a free consultation or email us for further information.