Funny Speech, Can't Talk Properly.

[BloomInWinter]

(((((((WantingALife))))))))))

Have you ever been referred to a speech pathologist? Or, had a neurologist visit about this? There is a lot of help available out there which can improve your quality of life.

You are not alone in this.

Some info on speech issues (& demonstrates why getting an accurate clinical diagnosis from a qualified health professional is essential for treatment) - [DLMURL]http://www.stutteringhelp.org/Default.aspx?tabid=81[/DLMURL]

 

[pinopan]

I think it is called psychogenic stuttering. It started last August for me. It still happens but not as often.

For me it included stuttering speech, slurred speech, breath-per-syllable speech, toddler speech, and even being mute. I felt like I was being choked. It was/is so difficult to convince people that I am still me and not insane or stupid. I found that writing instead of speaking helped me get beyond peoples' judgments.

My theory is that this happened because I felt helpless being heard and validated. In a poem about it my last line is, "Those were the words I really did mean."

I also lose thoughts. I call it the iceberg. We just have so much to think about, and these thoughts bounce in and out of view.

 

[Wanting a life]

Your words describe what happens to me very well, pinopan. We need ways to educate doctors and others about some of these less common by-products of having PTSD. I told my psychiatrist today that all the symptoms I have that don't fit into the neat little SHORT PTSD diagnosis check list are being echoed by other folks living with PTSD, which I found out ONLY because of this forum. He is the top psychiatrist at one of the finest hospitals/medical centers in New England, but I find I'm having to do so much research and disseminating of information to professionals personally.

I should also say that, because I don't have nightmares or flashbacks, a lot of professionals dismiss the PTSD diagnosis despite my having a whole bagful of the other symptoms. Often those two symptoms are looked to as the end all and be all for this diagnosis.

<Edited - merged two consecutive posts>

 

[jka37]

I have the stuttering too, but now I realize that it almost always happens when one of my "parts" or "alters" is out. Some of them won't talk, but they will write.

Sometimes I stutter uncontrollably, and sometimes I talk very slowly and slurred...and often, in a very childish voice.

 

[intothelight]

I find that I stutter under stress and when my anxiety is high. My mind is going so fast that I cannot verbalize the thoughts as fast as they pop into my head. One of the first signs I learned to recognize as overload.

Now if I start to stutter or stammer, I know it is time to take 5 and breathe. I will even walk away from the situation until I am in a more relaxed and controlled state. Actually, this turned into being one of my most helpful "warning" signs.

 

[Heidi07]

I have the same symptoms. I seem to forget what I was going to say completely or I simply studder. I really get mad at myself at times because I think the person or persons I am talking to, must think I am stupid. I know it is my anxiety again causing it but of course I cannot explain that to these people.


When I have to go somewhere where I have to explain myself, like a doc appointment, applying for something, etc, I try to prepare myself. I keep repeating the things I need to say in my head, so they will get stuck in there. I do this over and over, so I will not forget the important things I need to say. This gives me a bit more confidence and it has helped me a lot. I do the same thing before making important phone calls. At home it's easier because I can also write down little notes on a piece of paper and look at it while talking on the phone.

 

[712xx]

Yes! I know exactly how this feels -- losing the ability to say the word you have in your mind, losing the word altogether, not being able to come up with the proper words to describe the idea in your mind, and then the whole shut down where everything goes blank ... yes, all are very familar to me.

There have been a few times where I forget how to say a word -- I have to actually think about the spelling of the word & sound it out several times before I get it right. It is so embarassing.

This happens to me most often when talking to people on a personal level. If I have a well developed 'script' or talking about a subject I know inside & out, it happens less often.

This is why I have in my profile that I hate speaking -- this post is the very reason. Thanks for everyone sharing these issues, it helps to know I'm not alone (although wish no one had these issues, but glad it isn't just me cuz sometimes people (therapists) think I'm just making these issues up).

--{@

 

[Lionheart]

I get my words twisted around when I am anxious/stressed or I forget what the heck I am talking about. :p I could not tell a joke for years because I would get to the punchline and totally go blank.:confused: It was a little embarrassing and quite frustrating to be honest. (I Still forget sometimes, but I am 51 years old now and I can use my age as an excuse).;)

Having difficulty with word retrieval is another problem I have that, I am told is due to (cfs) *chronic fatigue syndrome. One time, I was talking to my sig. other and trying to tell her I wanted Spaghetti for dinner, (which is a favorite of mine), and I could see the image of a plate of spaghetti in my mind's eye, but I could not for the life of me retrieve the word from my brain.

The best way I have found to deal with the embarrassment is to make a joke about it and laugh at myself. (It wasn't easy to do at first, but got easier with practice). All it requires is a sense of humor and the ability to not take ourselves too seriously, but I must admit it is still kinda embarrassing, especially if I am talking to someone that I find attractive. Still, even then, I have found it best to try to laugh it off. Easier said than done, I know, but it is the only suggestion I have to offer.

best of luck to you,
LH