Patient's question:
Male, 8 years old, from Gansu, stutters when speakingDoctor's answer:
Analysis of the Condition:Stuttering refers to the phenomenon of repeated sounds or interruptions in speech.
Guidance:
Phonation Method:
It involves softly pronouncing the beginning of each sentence, altering the tendency of stutterers to start words hastily and heavily. The speaking pace should be reduced to a very slow rate—initially, 60-100 words per minute, compared to the average speaking speed of 200 words per minute. This approach has two effects: first, slow speech helps calm the mind, and second, it creates a rhythmic pattern. Both of these factors can effectively reduce stuttering. Stutterers do not stutter when reciting or singing because there is a stable rhythm involved.
Breathing Method:
Abdominal breathing is recommended. Deep breathing allows muscles to engage in appropriate movement and coordination, relaxing and easing tension in various body parts and facial muscles. It gradually eliminates the tension associated with movement. Deep breathing also influences emotions, helping to calm and subdue excited feelings.
Breaking Through Method:
Stuttering patients can organize themselves or speak alone in crowded places to give speeches or sing, gradually overcoming the fear of speaking.
Shinoda Therapy:
Shinoda therapy is a method for treating mental disorders, with the core principle being "go with the flow and do what you should." Giving up the treatment of stuttering and accepting it, while focusing on doing what you need to do, is similar to healing without treatment. This approach can effectively alleviate the psychological stress of stuttering patients.
Medication Treatment:
Taking a certain dosage of sedatives daily or before speaking is recommended to relieve tension and achieve a certain level of fluent speech. This method is more popular in Western countries. Some influential medications include Xanax, Celexa, Prozac, Paxil, and Zyprexa. Note: Medication treatment must be used under a doctor's supervision. Long-term use may cause harm to the body.
Silence Therapy:
In English, it is expressed as "silence therapy." When you feel tense or anticipate stuttering, speak less or not at all. Stuttering is a conditioned reflex. Long-term stuttering can reinforce this reflex. However, in a tense environment, speaking less or not at all reduces the likelihood of stuttering, gradually weakening and eventually eliminating the conditioned reflex. It is important to emphasize that this method does not mean you should not speak or speak less—it is the opposite. You need to frequently communicate with others and listen more, but occasionally speak less when you feel tense or expect to stutter.
There are many other methods for correcting stuttering, and apart from those that may harm the body, stuttering patients can bravely try them. Many stuttering patients have gained a new lease on language through some of these methods.