Forms of Stuttering

There are two different forms of stuttering, but they do not necessarily occur separately but can occur together. In Tonic Stuttering, the ends of syllables are stretched. The stutterer gets stuck in the middle of a word (“Bahn-n-nhof”) In Tonic Stuttering, the first letters of the words are repeated. The affected person creates the beginning of a word or a sentence only by repeating the beginning several times (“B-B-B-Bahnhof”)

Tonic Stuttering
Clonic Stuttering

After stroke

If stuttering occurs as a result of a stroke, although one never stuttered before the attack, scientists assume that this is known as acquired neurogenic stuttering. Stuttering rarely occurs in adulthood and if it does, it is often due to a serious cause, such as brain damage, trauma or the influence of certain drugs (psychotropic drugs). The brain damage caused by the stroke can lead to motor disturbances in speech that cause stuttering, or the destruction of complicated circuits in the nervous system.

Accompanying symptoms of stuttering

During stuttering, the affected person is fully aware of his speech inhibition. There is no arbitrary control over the course of speech. This discrepancy creates a feeling of tension and discomfort with the environment.Particularly in stressful situations or in affect (mood), the symptoms of stuttering are much more pronounced and speech inhibition is more pronounced.

Therefore, the body is tense or cramped from the outset when stuttering. This is particularly visible in the mimic muscles. In the middle of a word or at the beginning of a word, the facial muscles can therefore tense up spasmodically. The flow of breath also comes to a standstill and is disturbed by a violent inhalation up to holding the breath while speaking. Tension, cramping, respiratory flow disturbance and speech inhibition can also lead to an emotional reaction in the form of blushing, sweating and shame.

Is stuttering hereditary?

Stuttering often occurs more frequently in families. There is currently no scientific proof that stuttering is directly inherited. It is assumed that a corresponding predisposition for stuttering is passed on within families.

The fact that boys and men stutter significantly more often than girls and women also speaks for this hereditary component. It is assumed that stuttering is based on a multifactorial genesis. This means that if a hereditary predisposition exists and triggers occur, for example a stressful situation, stuttering is encouraged at that time. If this happens more often or if conditions are added that maintain stuttering, the speech disorder becomes entrenched in the affected person.