postr/StutterApril 2, 2016

Promotions and the stress that comes with it.

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Content

Promotions and the stress that comes with it. Hey everyone, This is my first post in this subreddit. Much love. I've stuttered all my life and I just turned 29. It didn't really bother me until going into adulthood. I've been working for a company since 2010 when only 20 people worked there. Since then, I moved my way up a bit and we have moved to two buildings (because of growth) and now are building a third one with a parking lot to support 800 employees. Dream come true, right? Not so much. I have been diagnosed with General Anxiety, Social Anxiety, and Depression. I'm guessing this is all built up from embarrassing childhood moments that I just kept to myself. I used to be out going in everything. I still love to interact with my known friends but this rapidly growing company has become too much, it seems. I got a promotion and the pressure has increased a lot. I can't talk on the phone without wanting to disappear from the earth. It's gotta be eye contact at least to communicate because I just can't do it over the phone. I have to text my family instead of calling. It's that bad for me. My company has always accepted me because of my work ethic and personality. I just can't shake this "imposter" image I'm feeling and it's getting worse. I take Lexapro 10 mg with .5 Xanax for panic attacks. My doctor says I'm Agoraphobic and it's true. This self imposed isolation is not helping. Working out only does so much to help with the anxiety. I'm hoping for a girl to come along to keep me occupied but I don't want to fish off the company pier. My question is, what helped you get over a major hump with your speech? Sorry for the rant and have a great weekend.

Themes

Causes & VariabilityEmotional ExperienceAnticipation & Avoidance

Subthemes

Stress & Fight/FlightAnxiety & Social JudgmentHelplessness & AgencyAnticipating StutteringAvoidance & SubstitutionHiding & Concealment