Stammering is a common condition that some of us have outgrown; however, others still continue living with it. This article provides information about the various methods to cure this condition.
Stammering is a speech disorder. This condition is characterized by repetition of sounds or syllables, prolonging sounds, or pausing. This condition is common in children of 2 to 5 years of age. While most children outgrow this condition, it may persist in rare cases throughout the adulthood. The severity if this condition may vary from mild to severe. The condition can worsen in case of stress and affect a person’s confidence. Some people avoid talking and substitute words whenever necessary to avoid the embarrassment. This is known as covert stammering. There are two main types of stammer: acquired and developmental stammering. The former develops during childhood, when the child is still learning to speak, and the latter develops due to due to severe head injury, stroke, or some neurological disorder.
Tips to Cure Stammering
Three out of four cases of developmental stammering resolve without any treatment. The condition can be cured in the rest of the cases with the help of a speech therapist.
Speech Therapy
While in some cases you may have to visit a speech therapist to cure the condition, some self-applied methods can also treat this condition. A must when you are trying to treat yourself for stammering is perseverance. It is not a method that is going to work overnight. To make it work, follow this procedure regularly. Pick up a magazine or a book, open any page, and try to read a paragraph. While reading, concentrate on the words and on pronounce them completely. Do not feel let down if you stammer midway. Simply read it over and over again. Identify words where you get stuck and try to repeat those words again, to remove the mental block. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, and give yourself some time to cure the condition.
Another method is to take a few seconds to frame a particular sentence before saying it. Then take a deep breath, and speak the sentence. While this may seem tedious in the beginning, as you continue doing it, you will be able to speak in a clear, fluent manner. Usually, when you try to speak fast, you tend to stammer. Practice this exercise daily to get good results. If you still think that you are unable to get benefits from these activities, visit a qualified speech therapist, or a stammering cure center.
Yoga and Meditation
Yoga and meditation is another option to get rid of this problem. Since one of the reasons for stuttering is stress and pressure, meditation, along with certain yoga is helpful in such cases. Spend about ten to fifteen minutes meditating everyday to get better results. Concentrate on your breath, and avoid distractions. As you make this a regular practice, you will feel a sense of calm prevailing over your mind and body.
When attempting yoga to cure this condition, there are certain positions that you need to learn, along with some basic breathing techniques. For this, it is best to consult a qualified yoga instructor who will be in a better position to assign the right exercises for you to help you with your stuttering problem. Consulting a professional will help you deal with the problem at the root.
Improving Confidence and Self-Esteem
Low levels of self-confidence and poor self-esteem are some other ill effects of stammering. Developing self-confidence is one of the best techniques to stop stuttering. What you need to first understand is, you are not the only person who has a stammering problem. There are several other people who are affected by this problem, and are desperately looking for a cure. Secondly, though you may have problems with clear speech, there are definitely other things you may be extremely good at. Identify your positives points, and work to improve your negatives.
Stammering is embarrassing, and it particularly becomes a hindrance to those of you who may have aspirations in a career that depends on your speech. However, be open to adopt a cure for this condition, and see the benefits for yourself.
Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.
