Letting loose a tied tongue

Stammering can make a person’s life hell. Many become more introverted, with their work and social lives being affected enormously. But help is at hand, writes Ellie O’Byrne

It’s like a nightmare. You’re standing in front of an expectant audience and you’re about to give a speech. You have carefully prepared and you know your subject well, but your heart is thudding and your face flushes as you open your mouth to begin. The words won’t come out.

For people who stammer, scenarios like this are dreaded, but a part of their daily struggle. Stammering is a common condition: A quarter of toddlers have a stammer (called normal non-fluency) during their development, with 4% of children retaining it for over six months and 1% continuing to stammer into adulthood. Four times as many men as women are affected by a stammer.