Expert: Dr Billy Levin - 5/6/2006

Question
Dear Doc,

Properly, this question shouldn't be applicable to you, however your profile seems to be the only one close to providing me with the needed assistance.

My problem is this; I sometimes stutter when I speak, its not always, it seems as if something within me triggers it. Often times I speak relatively fluently, at other times, I mobble up my words, hence I always have to repeat myself, to get the message across.

Like I earlier said, it seems as if something within me triggers this stuttering, and over the years (I'm now 28yrs) I have keenly observed what food, drink, habits, weather conditions that is responsible, but no luck.

So, I need your expert advice, probably there is some pills I can take. I really need to get rid of it.

I will wait patiently for your assistance.

Regards,
LAW

Answer
If my field is ADHD and ADHD has to do with brain and if  ADHD is an immaturity of left brain, which is a language brain then stuttering has to do with left brain.Thus stuttering certainly falls within my domain and IS applicable.Most stutterers are male as is ADHD, and many have other areas of immaturity of left brain,like learning problems. Stutters also speak more fluently when calm and relaxed. But when angry or stressed the stuttering gets worse.This is because the tempermental right brain gets going with stress and suppresses the language left brain even more. When stutterers sing with the musical right brain they do not stutter! Anything that suppresses the tempermental righy brain like Haloperidol will improve stuttering and if left brain is boosted with Ritalin (like in ADHD) the situation may improve even more.This medical treatment is long term. Once the brain has been normalised a speech therapist may be of help.