Stuttering (dysphemia): symptoms, types, causes and treatment

Communication is an essential aspect of the human being. It allows us to connect with our peers, share experiences and ideas.

Among the different mechanisms that we have for this, oral language is one of the most we use, and its learning, one of the aspects to which we dedicate the most time during our growth. Since it is a skill that has to be trained progressively, it is common for difficulties to arise while we are mastering it.

But in some cases these difficulties may be indicating the presence of a communication disorder of greater or lesser severity. One of these disorders is stuttering, or dysphemia.

• Related article: "The 8 types of speech disorders"

Stuttering or dysphemia: a fluency disorder

Stuttering or dysphemia is a communication disorder based on disturbances in language fluency. It is a disorder that generally originates in childhood, and in which there are no problems in the ability to speak or in the subject's competence with it, but rather in its implementation. This problem is not due to diseases, neurological problems or sensory or intellectual deficits.

The most visible symptom is the existence of repetitions of words or parts of words during speech, as well as blockages and prolongation of sounds. Speech becomes sluggish and interrupted. In some cases, circumlocutions are used in a way that alters the sentence structure to prevent the perception of the problem in fluency.

It is a problem linked to social speech, since stuttering only appears in the presence of an interlocutor, not existing in subvocal speech or when the subject is alone. Thus, it can be seen that there is an affective component related to dysphemia.

The child or even adult live all these difficulties with a high level of anxiety, due to the perception of difficulties as something inappropriate and shameful. Feelings of abnormality or inferiority may arise. In fact, in some cases it can cause a high level of social withdrawal and even refusal to speak.

Also, this anxiety tends to cause them a higher level of repetitions and interruptions in the speaks, so that a vicious cycle can be established between anxiety and problems communicative. It is therefore a disorder that can cause a serious affectation in the subject and his communicational and social development.

Dysphemia is a communication disorder that becomes chronic in some cases, although in a large number of cases can remit completely or partially if it is treated correctly and its chronification.

Types of stuttering

Stuttering or dysphemia is a problem that can present itself in different ways, depending on the type of fluidity alteration that occurs. Specifically, Three subtypes of stuttering are usually identified.

1. Tonic dysphemia

It is a subtype of stuttering in which the problem is the existence of a crash when starting the speech, suffering a spasm when starting the conversation that after an intense effort allows expression.

2. Clonic dysphemia

This subtype of stuttering is characterized by the presence of mild muscle contractions that cause the repetition of sounds or entire syllables during speech.

3. Mixed dysphemia

It is a combination of the previous two, appearing initial difficulties when starting the speech and repetitions derived from involuntary muscle contractions.

Origin of this disorder

The causes of stuttering or fluency disorder have been explored and discussed often, and today the majority opinion is that the etiology of this communication disorder found in both biological and environmental factors. It has been observed that there are psychological factors of great relevance for its appearance and maintenance, but the presence of alterations in the brain function.

With regard to biological and constitutional aspects, stuttering has been linked to the result of the competition of the activity between the brain hemispheres during the development. Many people with stuttering present a dominance of the right hemisphere when it comes to language, in addition to It has been proven that they present a slight lapse between the time it takes them to decide to speak and the motor response that It allows. Also exist abnormalities in the arcuate fascicle, a brain region linked to language.

On the other hand, at a more psychological and environmental level, the presence of a conditioning can be observed in these children and adults, due to the repercussions in the form of teasing or recriminations before their difficulties. This causes the presence of a high level of anxiety and frustration if he is not able to correct it, which in turn will generate less fluidity and an accentuation of difficulties. Although the cause of the problem is not considered, it can maintain and chronify the problem.

• You may be interested: "The 7 types of anxiety (causes and symptoms)"

Aspects to take into account when dealing with a case

Speech fluency can be trained in a way that greatly reduces the presence of stuttering. Speech therapy can be of great help, especially if applied with programs in which the need to speed up speech is reduced (Due to the anticipation of problems, many subjects tend to accelerate their speech, which usually causes them to make mistakes) and the level of tension and anxiety.

It's important to put attention on the presence of teasing and criticism can be harmful, since they promote an increase in the subject's tension and a more than likely worsening of their communication. The same occurs if you try to urge them to speak or complete sentences for them (a mistake that many members of the environment often make).

In fact and as mentioned above, self-esteem can decrease and cause the subject to becomes withdrawn and inhibited, avoiding social participation and bonding with other people. This contributes to the disorder getting worse and chronic. Family and social support, and the perception of it by the subject, is very important.

• Related article: "Types of psychological therapies"

Bibliographic references:

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Fifth edition. DSM-V. Masson, Barcelona.

• Belloch, Sandín and Ramos (2008). Manual of Psychopathology. Madrid. McGraw-Hill. (vol. 1 and 2) Revised edition.

• Santos, J.L. (2012). Psychopathology. CEDE PIR Preparation Manual, 01. CEDE. Madrid.