postr/StutterMay 18, 2022

Stutter at very specific words including my name

10 points8 commentsView on Reddit →

Content

Stutter at very specific words including my name I used to stutter a lot (on almost every word) as a kid, but I taught myself to replace the words whenever possible (which is most of the time). As I got older, I kind of got used to it to the point that it does not really bother me anymore. Except for certain words, and my name is one of them.. I can't say names like Terrence, Perry and Tristan. Tristan is probably the worst but it isn't my name so not that much of a problem. Lets say my name is Terrence, whenever I have to introduce myself, I stammer on the TeR part, like the T does not come out, as if I keep pushing till it kind of releases. I can also feel when I will be unable to say it, as if my brain isn't able to comprehend and vice versa. It has gotten worse after one incident where the manager called all of us (about 30 people) to his office and asked us to introduce ourselves as he saw a lot of new faces. I felt the tension getting worse as there were like 12 people before me, and it got worse with each person. I stammered for like 5 seconds and then started again with "My name is.." and then stammered again for about 5 seconds till it poofed out. It worsened to the point that I use my initials or avoid having to introduce myself at all costs. For example, when a new collegue walked in, I used to go to the toilet in the hope that they'd left by the time I came back. Tbh, I'm a quite social person, but being unable to say my own name is like the only thing thats holding me back.

Themes

Anticipation & AvoidanceCoping & Advocacy

Subthemes

Feared Words & NamesAnticipating StutteringHiding & ConcealmentSelf-Advocacy & Boundaries

Codes (1)

saying_name_introduction