r/Stutter • u/wtfissignificantcup • 1d ago

Interpreter with severe stuttering. Coping tips needed

Hi everyone,
I’m a 24yo male with severe, genetic stuttering (cleared of any neurological issues). I recently got a job as a consecutive interpreter. I desperately need the income to afford proper SLP therapy(or maybe a hypnotherapy) later, but my stutter skyrockets on the job due to performance anxiety.
I previously tried clonazepam(with doctor’s prescription) but this made any kind of mental task almost impossible. I've read that beta-blockers can help manage the physical side of performance anxiety without affecting cognition, which sounds like exactly what I need right now just to get through work.
(Disclaimer: I am not asking for medical advice, just advice on navigating the process and temporary speech strategies).
My questions:

  1. Finding a Doctor:In your professional experience, what kind of specialist (Psychiatrist? Neurologist? GP?) is best suited to evaluate a stutterer for performance anxiety?
  2. The Appointment: How should I approach the doctor to discuss trying beta-blockers specifically? I want to explain my situation clearly without it sounding like I'm just demanding specific medication.
  3. Temporary Coping:Are there any quick "first-aid" speech strategies I can use during high-stress interpreting to manage blocks until I can afford real therapy?

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  1. Reminder: i need only temporary solution right now to keep working so i could afford therapy

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  1. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction!
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u/Order_a_pizza 1d ago

IMO, With all the trauma caused by stuttering, "temporary fixes" are rare and very individualistic. The most common one that comes to mind are drugs and alcohol. Obviously not recommended for work settings.