postr/StutterMarch 14, 2015

How do you feel about talking?

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Content

How do you feel about talking? I stuttered when I was a child and it really hurt my confidence/self-steem. I wouldn't speak up much in school or actively talk to people. I pretty much only spoke when I had to. Now that I am an adult (22 years old) I can speak fine and occasionally stutter but it is not severe at all and can facilitate a conversation. I went through speech therapy years ago and that helped but what helped the most was forcing my self to talk slowly and think more about what I want to say instead of getting all worked up and letting my mind race. But I still feel a bit insecure and awkward when talking. I feel awkward that I have to think about how to physically speak and I just do not enjoy the act of speaking much; it's almost stressful. Because of this I've never spoke much in conversations and absolutely do not carry conversations. I listen to what another person is saying and make a comment or ask a question to keep them talking. Most of the time I just feel like I have no thoughts or opinions to bring to the table because I am so accustomed to staying quiet and only speaking when necessary. One of my biggest fears or insecurities would be having to carry a conversation or be the life of the party in a group of people. I would begin to feel insecure, awkward, and just not confident in general. I do not understand it because my stutter is pretty much gone now. However, I am confident in pretty much all other aspects of my life. I have a job and can support myself. I play sports and am quite athletic. Hell, if I'm out at a club or a bar I am not afraid to dance or facilitate a conversation with someone. But when it comes to me being the one to talk a lot and being the funny or interesting guy, this feeling of awkwardness, a little anxiety, and fear of rejection come up. Maybe this is because the emotional damage of my stutter has been pretty strong. I just had to get my feelings out.

Themes

Emotional ExperienceIdentity & DisabilitySocial & RelationshipsAnticipation & Avoidance

Subthemes

Anxiety & Social JudgmentHelplessness & AgencyIdentity & Self-PerceptionQuality of LifeOverthinking & Monitoring