Stuttering & Fatigue: Can Being Tired Make You Stutter More?
November 3, 2020
American Institute for Stuttering
Imagine you have just worked a long day and you’re exhausted. Your eyes droop, you yawn, and suddenly you find yourself stuttering.
Why does it seem to get harder to talk when you’re tired?
In this article, you will learn more about the impact of fatigue and other factors and what you can do to make living with stuttering easier. The specialized team of therapists at AIS are here to offer top quality therapy and support opportunities to help you on your journey.
You will also learn why your child's stuttering may seem more pronounced talking when fatigued.
Many, if not most people who stutter find that they stutter more under certain conditions. One common factor that exacerbates this speech problem is indeed fatigue.
In addition to feeling fatigued when receiving inadequate sleep, many people feel it is harder to talk and speech blocks happen more after extended periods of being under mental or physical demand. For example, it may be harder to talk after a full day of school at a University, or early in the morning after poor sleep.
A child of any age with developmental stuttering (the most common type of stuttering) may be particularly sensitive to lack of sleep and stutter with greater frequency and struggle when they are sleepy or exhausted.
Adults who have learned speaking strategies report that they have less ability to use their strategies and often feel that they have less control over how they talk when fatigued, including early in the morning soon after they wake up.
Stuttering is under the general umbrella term communication disorders and is a disorder of fluency, which is the ability to maintain the flow of speech. (Stuttering foundation)
Stuttering is not reflective of difficulty with language or overall intelligence, but rather reflects what is thought to be a "glitch" in the brain's motor initiation for saying words and in the flow of speech.
Many do exhibit other speech language challenges including difficulty producing certain sounds clearly.
People who stutter commonly exhibit the following characterisitcs:
In addition, individuals tend to develop secondary physical movements such as closing their eyes or jerking their head, as well as negative thoughts and feeling related to stuttering and speaking in general.
A person who stutters tends to avoid situations and words that they have trouble with.
Stuttering is highly variable- it can change severity over time, including changing over weeks.
Some people with fluency disorders also exhibit cluttering (link) which is characterized by excessively rapid rate and a tendency to articulate imprecisely.
Left untreated, stuttering unfortunately can have a significantly negative impact on one's quality of life and decision making.
Speech therapy can help people learn to manage the emotional, cognitive and physical aspects of their stuttering.
Around 5-8% of children will develop stuttering , with 80% of those children showing recovery. Most children start stuttering at around age 3 1/2 to 4, with it developing over time.
Around 1% of the adult population across the world stutter. (Stuttering foundation)
Stuttering exists in all languages and cultures. Males are around 4 times more at risk than females.
Developmental stuttering is a genetic condition that tends to run in families. It has been found to be related to genetics.
Other factors including whether the person has other speech problems or language problems can influence whether someone predisposed to this condition actually does develop it. Male are more likely to stutter persistently.
When tired, your brain experiences impaired neurotransmitter communication and reduced function in key areas like the prefrontal cortex, leading to slower reactions, difficulty concentrating, impaired memory, mood changes, and poorer decision-making.
A systematic review of the research including that from the National Institute for Health confirms that essential brain functions, such as forming new memories and regulating emotions, are hindered by lack of sleep, which is when the brain repairs and resets.
Fatigue negatively affects brain areas controlling speech, attention, and overall muscle coordination. These factors can trigger more repeating sounds, prolongations, and blocks. Several factors including quality of sleep and overall stress have a negative impact on cognitive functioning. Fatigue negatively impacts both speech and language skills.
The processes involved in communication- namely, the cognitive demands of formulating thoughts into the words along with the motor demands of producing speech sounds in running speech are very complex! It is logical that when are brain functions are adequately fueled and rested, speech fluency might likely suffer.
Sleep deprivation can increase muscle tension, worsen cognitive functions needed for speech, and potentially alter gene expression in areas related to speech pathways, leading to more disfluent speech, according to the National Institute of Health. Both one's speech and language abilities may seem to be worse when one is tired.
The Majority of people challenged by fluency have developmental stuttering, which begins in childhood and changes over time with environmental, physical and social factors. Common in childhood; fatigue can intensify symptoms at certain times of day.
This article about stuttering and sleep from the Minnesota State University at Mankato explores research about a possible mechanism underlying why lack of proper sleep worsens stuttering.
This is is a type of fluency disorder caused by damage or dysfunction in the central nervous system (CNS) (the brain and spinal cord) and may be caused by:
Effects of traumatic brain injury or neurological disease may worsen with tiredness. (Source: Science Direct)
Psychogenic stuttering is a speech disorder caused by emotional or psychological factors, such as trauma, anxiety, or extreme stress. Unlike developmental or neurogenic stuttering, psychogenic stuttering emerges suddenly and is linked to mental health issues.
It often presents as disfluency in speech, characterized by interruptions in the flow of speech, repetitions, prolongations, or blocks.
It is important to receive a proper diagnosis so that treatment can be tailored appropriately. People who stutter may also exhibit other communication disorders and the therapists at AIS can help with all aspects of an individual's communication skills.
The stuttering therapists at AIS can help you have stuttering diagnosed, differentiate individual stuttering symptoms and devise an individualized, holistic plan that will include education, techniques to relieve symptoms, and support for underlying emotions and thoughts.
Like other types of stuttering, adults who stutter due to psychological factors often find stuttering is worse when sleep deprived or other fatigued. (Source: National Institute)
Stress, anxiety, or high-stakes speaking situations. Adults often stutter more when they most want to be fluent.
Being excited! When a child stutters, they often do so more when they are excited or trying to convey something they are passionate about.
Common sign of fatigue include:
A qualified specialist in stuttering will help you explore how fatigue impacts your individual stuttering and how you can build resilience against that fatigue.
Learning to use grounding (relaxation techniques including deep breathing) can help you relax and achieve better speech.
Make lifestyle adjustments such as adopting a good sleep hygiene and practicing stress management. Turn off electronic devices no less than one hour before bed to help promote better sleep.
If you find yourself unable to manage your stuttering when tired, the therapists at AIS can help.
In addition, the therapists at AIS are experts at providing therapy and support for people of all ages and their families.
If you are experiencing negative thoughts and feelings about your speech and/or find stuttering is holding you back from living your life to the fullest, help is available.
Stuttering does not have to hold back any aspect of your life.
While tiredness can worsen stuttering, it is manageable with proper therapy and lifestyle support.
The therapists at AIS are experts in speech therapy and are dedicated to helping children and adults who stutter and their families. With certified speech-language pathologists, proven stuttering treatment techniques, a supportive community and financial assistance, we are dedicated to helping people with stuttering and other speech language issues.
If you notice your stuttering runs are worse when you’re tired, you’re not alone and you don’t have to stay stuck.
Our team of certified speech-language pathologists at the American Institute for Stuttering offers personalized therapy for preschoolers, adolescents, teenagers, children and adults to help you manage your stuttering, even at the end of a long day.
Contact us by phone at 212-633-6400 or contact us online to schedule a thorough evaluation or to learn about strategies to manage fatigue, improve sleep, and reduce stuttering in speaking situations.
Worried about the cost of therapy? Our Freeing Voices, Changing Lives Scholarship Fund offers need-based financial assistance, thanks to generous donors.
We can also guide you through Vocational Rehabilitation programs in New York, California, Georgia, and private insurance options that may fully or partially fund your therapy.
