My Stammer

I try to hide my stammer using avoidance strategies so that no one knows I stammer. This is called covert or interiorised stammering. 

Having a stammer can have a significant impact on one's mental and emotional well-being, as well as self-worth. Everyday life can be an obstacle course. 

Situations that fluent speakers take for granted can be really tricky for those who stammer. These can include:

• Introducing yourself (eg at school, at work or socially).
• Ordering a coffee.
• Giving your name at a reception desk.
• Navigating a voice-activated helpline menu.
• Talking on the phone. 

Another example is that many people, such as myself, who stammer find saying their name difficult. This might be because one common strategy for coping with stammering is to switch words. People who stammer often think ahead for alternative words they find easier to say. But as there are no alternatives for your name, this coping strategy is lost. This can put a lot of pressure on someone when asked to say their name. Anxiety and worry about feeling embarrassed builds, and all this makes it more likely that they'll stammer. Once it happens a few times, a fear around saying their name starts to develop which further adds to the pressure. 

The charity STAMMA is creating a better world for people who stammer. Committed to tackling public perceptions of what it means to stammer and remove the shame, stigma, intolerance and misunderstanding experienced by people who stammer. Through their website (stamma.org), Helpline (0808 802 0002 open weekdays 10am-noon and 6pm-8pm) and support of local meetup and self-help groups, they  provide information and assistance to people who stammer as well as those close to them. Join us - stamma.org