{"id":39606,"date":"2018-11-30T08:00:36","date_gmt":"2018-11-30T16:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/?p=39606"},"modified":"2024-02-13T13:44:38","modified_gmt":"2024-02-13T18:44:38","slug":"can-anxiety-cause-stuttering-a-look-at-speech-and-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodtherapy.org\/blog\/can-anxiety-cause-stuttering-a-look-at-speech-and-mental-health-1130189","title":{"rendered":"Can Anxiety Cause Stuttering? A Look at Speech and Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CoupleStuttering is a complex speech issue that affects about 1% of adults. People who stutter may become socially anxious, fear public speaking, or worry their stuttering will undermine their performance at work or school.<\/p>\n

Research shows that stuttering is not a mental health diagnosis, and anxiety<\/a> is not the root cause of stuttering. Anxiety can, however, make stuttering worse. This can create a vicious feedback loop in which a person fears stuttering, causing them to stutter more. In some cases, anxiety about stuttering may disrupt a person\u2019s relationships and ability to communicate.<\/p>\n

What Causes Stuttering?<\/h2>\n

The hallmark of stuttering is repeating certain sounds, syllables, or words. It exists on a continuum from mild to severe. In some people, stuttering is so mild that others might not notice it at all. For a minority of people who stutter, the condition can be so severe that it makes it extremely difficult to communicate<\/a> at all.<\/p>\n

Most people who stutter fall somewhere in the middle. They stumble over words and repeat certain syllables. They may feel anxious about speaking, and others may notice their speech is not typical. But they\u2019re able to speak to others, and others are able to understand what they say.<\/p>\n

Types of Stuttering<\/h2>\n

Researchers used to think that stuttering was a mental health problem caused by trauma or fear. While it\u2019s possible for trauma to cause stuttering, it\u2019s rare. Instead, providers divide stuttering into two distinct types:<\/p>\n

Developmental stuttering<\/strong><\/p>\n

Developmental stuttering is the most common type of stuttering. Common among children ages 2-6 who are learning to speak, it usually goes away on its own. Five to 10 percent of children stutter at some point, and at least 75% outgrow it. For the remaining 25%, stuttering may continue to be a problem in adulthood.<\/p>\n

Developmental stuttering is often much worse when a child is anxious. The speech of children who stutter may improve when they speak for longer periods. This means the first few sentences of a conversation may be slow and halting, but as a child become more relaxed, they may stutter less.<\/p>\n

Developmental stuttering runs in families. This suggests a genetic link, and researchers have identified a few genes linked to stuttering. However, the specific causes of and triggers<\/a> for developmental stuttering are still not fully understood.<\/p>\n

Neurogenic stuttering<\/strong><\/p>\n

Neurogenic stuttering is much less common than developmental stuttering. It\u2019s due to a problem with the brain caused by an injury, developmental issue, or disease. For example, some people develop a stutter following a stroke or a traumatic brain injury (TBI)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Although anxiety may make neurogenic stuttering worse, anxiety is more closely tied to developmental stuttering.<\/p>\n

Negative experiences with others can fuel a person\u2019s anxiety about stuttering, and this anxiety may make stuttering worse.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Link Between Anxiety and Stuttering<\/h2>\n

For many people, verbal communication is an important way to connect with others. Stuttering makes this communication more difficult. This may trigger anxiety, especially abut social relationships. A 2009 study found stuttering increased the odds of being diagnosed with anxiety by six- to seven-fold and increased the likelihood of a diagnosis of social anxiety<\/a> 16- to 34-fold. Another 2009 study found that 50% of adults who stutter have social anxiety.<\/p>\n

Stuttering may change the way people relate to the person who stutters. Children who stutter sometimes experience bullying<\/a> and isolation<\/a>. Adults may struggle to feel heard at work or in high-pressure situations, such as speaking publicly at an academic conference. Negative experiences with others can fuel a person\u2019s anxiety about stuttering, and this anxiety may make stuttering worse.<\/p>\n

A person who stutters may also have false beliefs about stuttering, such as that stuttering necessarily means others won\u2019t take them seriously or listen to them. This fear may affect major life decisions such as where to go to school and which jobs to seek. For example, a talented researcher might opt not to speak at a conference or accept a professorship because of their fears about public speaking.<\/p>\n

Coping with Stuttering-Related Anxiety<\/h2>\n

People who experience anxiety related to stuttering may find relief in a number of strategies. Those include:<\/p>\n