The Silent Killer That’s Making Your Stutter Worse (And You Probably Think It’s Normal)
A GP’s honest take on how stress is secretly wrecking your health — and your speech.
Every week in clinic, someone walks in with chest pain, stomach issues, or sleep problems.
They’ve Googled heart attacks, ulcers, or chronic fatigue.
But after all the tests come back clear, we ask the question no one expects:
“Have you been feeling stressed lately?”
Cue the awkward pause.
The “I guess so.”
The “It’s just been a busy few weeks…”
What they don’t realise is:
That “busy” is quietly burning them out.
And for people who stutter? It’s making everything harder.
🗣️ Why Stress Makes Stuttering Worse (Even If You Don’t Feel Stressed)
We’ve seen it again and again:
Someone who stutters comes in with more blocks, more tension, more fear.
They think they’re “losing progress” or “relapsing.”
But under the surface?
Chronic stress is hijacking their nervous system.
Stress activates your fight-or-flight response — speeding up your heart, tightening your muscles, and putting your body on red alert.
And guess what doesn’t function well under pressure?
Smooth breath control
Clear vocal coordination
Emotional regulation
Speech confidence
It’s not about effort — it’s about physiology.
🩺 From a GP’s Perspective…
Stress isn’t just emotional.
It’s physical.
It floods your body with cortisol and adrenaline, messes with your sleep, and puts your mind in “survival mode.”
For someone who stutters, that means:
More blocks when speaking
More fear around phone calls or presentations
More shame, frustration, or even avoidance
And the worst part?
Most people blame themselves — when really, it’s their nervous system crying out for help.
🚨 4 Signs Stress Is Driving Your Speech Struggles
You speak fine alone — but freeze under pressure
You feel drained or on edge all day
You avoid everyday conversations
You’re stuck in overthinking loops and self-blame
✅ What Helps (and What Doesn’t)
Does help:
Nervous system regulation (slow breathing, grounding, rest)
Mindset tools that don’t focus on forcing fluency
Connection and support from others who get it
Addressing both speech mechanics and mental health
Doesn’t help:
Pushing harder
Hiding from fear
“Powering through” on your own
Waiting for confidence to magically appear
💬 Need Support?
If this sounds like your story, you don’t have to do it alone.
Here are 3 ways to get started for free or with guidance:
🔹 Join my FREE WhatsApp group for people who stutter — a safe space for support, tips, and honest conversations.
📘 Download my eBook:
“The Daily Action Plan for Overcoming Stuttering” — practical, mindset-focused steps to rebuild confidence and face fears. Get it here
🎓 Check out my full course:
“Living Your Best Life with a Stutter” — designed by a doctor who gets it, this course helps you build speech confidence, regulate anxiety, and speak anyway. Explore the course
👩⚕️ Final Word:
You don’t need another speech trick.
You need a nervous system that feels safe — and a mind that believes it’s allowed to stutter and still be strong.
Stress isn’t weakness. But ignoring it can become one.
Don’t wait for burnout or breakdown.
Let’s handle this together.
— A GP who believes that speaking freely is possible (even with a stutter)