Yes. This sucks! But here is something that has helped me ( also pointed by a few others in the comments ): \- Have a script prepared: I noticed that my anxiety doubles when I have to think of what I have to say, right when I'm saying it. So I started preparing notes or small scripts for situations like these. Some of these situations are predictable, and you know the questions ( Eg: General intro at interviews, meetups, classes and conferences ), and you could have a short answer prepared for them. For others, you could quickly take notes on your phone and read them out. \- As someone already mentioned - give people a heads up. Telling people in advance that you have a speech impediment usually reduces the tension in the room and yours too. I usually make a joke out of it and tell people that I "will be buffering ... and to bear with me". Also, anyone who is inconsiderate enough to make a joke or laugh at your expensive will think twice: 😏 \- One more that I learned from therapy - "expanding my circle of comfort". Speaking to group of people at once was something I could not even imagine. So I started with 1 person. And then moved to 2, 3, 5, 8 and so on ( fibonacci series ). I built up confidence by talking/explaining/arguing with a small set of people and then expanding the circle once I was confident enough. It took me years, but it did work. Hope at least something I said works for you. Stay strong! 💪🏽