Synonyms in a broader sense
Medical term: Balbuties
Definition
Stuttering (Balbuties) describes a disturbance in the flow of speech. The flow of speech is often interrupted by repetitions of sounds and word syllables. A coordination disturbance of the speech musculature dominates.
Causes of stuttering
The causes of stuttering are still not completely understood. One assumes a multifactorial event. Speaking is a complicated interaction of different actions, which are controlled by our brain.
When we speak, breathing, vocalization and articulation must immediately function properly. This interaction is disturbed when stuttering. Since stuttering also occurs frequently in families, scientists assume a hereditary predisposition for stuttering.
Several factors are probably responsible for the development and maintenance of stuttering. Certain factors lead to the fact that the speech disorder eventually becomes entrenched. There is evidence of a disturbance of nerve signals during the speech process as well as evidence that indicates a motor disorder when speaking.
In addition, there are many cases where the cause of stuttering is trauma. Stuttering can occur post-traumatically, for example after a very serious life event. In addition, anxiety and nervousness can also lead to stuttering or contribute to the stuttering being maintained and becoming entrenched as a speech disorder.
Mental causes
Psychological causes play an important role in the multifactorial genesis of this speech disorder. Emotions such as fear, anxiety and nervousness can cause situational stuttering. Basically, it can happen that stuttering begins for every person in nervous situations that are unpleasant for him or her.
The problem with stuttering is that psychological causes can initially intensify the stuttering and even solidify it over time. If a genetic predisposition is present and other factors that promote stuttering, psychological sensations can anchor the speech disorder permanently. In addition, stuttering can also occur as a result of a serious trauma.
Various factors influence the development of stuttering. Stress is an important factor that can promote stuttering. Stress means something different for every person and the reaction to stress is difficult to control.
Stressful situations can cause emotions such as fear of failure, a feeling of pressure and/or nervousness in people. These can cause stuttering in situations as well as anchor it in the long term as a speech disorder. Stress has an enormous influence on our health and can be a factor in the development of stuttering.
Stuttering affects boys more than girls. The ratio is 4:1. 70 percent of stutterers have psychological causes.
In less than ten percent of the investigated cases a hereditary cause could be proven. Brain examinations of stuttering children have very often revealed brain-organic causes. In one study, brain damage was even found in one in five of the children.
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