Does your vocal chord hurt when you try to speak? Do you stammer while speaking? Then you're not the only one and good news is, you can endeavour to get out of this habit.
Stuttering or stammering is a state in which the speech is disturbed by involuntary repetitions and prolongations of sounds, syllables, words or phrases, and involuntary long or short pauses.
It is believed to be caused by a rare neuro-physiological disorder of the speech nerves in the brain. Stage fear also causes stammering in most of us.
Be sensitive
Raja Poladi, Hyderabad Coordinator, The Indian Stammering Association says, “Most of the people are not very sensitive to those who stutter It's a social stigma. With constant effort, the stammering can be minimised.”
While the problem slowlydisappears, the bullying in school leaves a lasting mark on the student, especially in this age of intense competition.
The best thing could be to start talking the problem out with family or peers; this would help reduce the pain or any isolation which one usually develops.
And there are ways when you can consciously plan and place thoughtful silences in your speech. Use these silences to breathe deeply. It relieves stress and tension in speech muscles.
Smile whenever you think it's appropriate. It relieves tension and stress too.
Usually children till the age of eight face this problem. There are few children for whom the problem subsides with age while there are some with whom constant doses of love and affection helps.
As a classmate, it helps if you are more affectionate to your friends who stammer. They will slowly overcome this problem.
Hence it's important for you to be patient.
Your friend might be good in painting or in sudoku. So encourage them.
Ensure you create an environment where your friend can talk about his or her problem. Don't ask the classmate with stammering to slow down, instead you slow down.
Deep breathing
And if you are having bouts of stammering while being nervous practise deep abdominal breathing during the day.
While talking remind yourself to switch to this kind of breathing.
Try helping people in your neighbourhood, it will distract you from your own problems.
The Hyderabad Chapter of TISA ( >rajapoladi@gmail.com ) usually has its meetings at Krishna Kanth Park, Yousufguda. Try to attend one meet.
Be positive and you will overcome the speech problem soon. Many great leaders perfected their speeches against all odds.
Keep at it.
