How Is Stuttering Linked to Fear?

Contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that stuttering is caused by anxiety (ang-ZY-e-tee); an intense, long-lasting feeling of fear; worry; or nervousness. Yet people who stutter may become fearful of meeting new people, speaking in public, or talking on the phone. In such cases, it is the stuttering that causes the fear, not the activity.

How Is Stuttering Diagnosed?

Stuttering usually is diagnosed by a speech-language pathologist (pa-THAH-lo-jist), a professional who is trained to test and treat people with speech, language, and voice disorders. The speech pathologist will ask questions about the problem, such as when it first started and when it is most and least noticeable. The speech pathologist will also test speech and language abilities. In addition, some people may be sent to other professionals for hearing tests and medical tests of the nervous system.

How Is Stuttering Treated?

There are several treatments that may improve stuttering, although none is an instant cure. With young children, the focus often is on teaching parents how to help the child at home. Parents typically are told to have a relaxed attitude and give their children plenty of chances to speak. They may be warned not to criticize their children's speech. They may be urged not to pay attention to the children. Instead, they can be good role models, speaking in a slow, relaxed manner themselves and listening patiently when their children talk.

Speech therapy can help older children, teenagers, and adults relearn how to speak or unlearn faulty ways of speaking. Some people who stutter have fears related to the disorder, such as a fear of speaking in public. Such problems caused by the stuttering can be helped with psychotherapy (sy-ko-THER-a-pea), in which people talk about their feelings, beliefs, and experiences with a mental health professional who can help them work out issues that play a part in their speech problems.

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