Stuttering
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Try one of these related symptoms.
Speech is not smooth- stammering or stuttering
Repeating sounds or syllables, prolonging sounds, or being stuck on a word
About the Symptom
Stuttering is a speech disorder that involves frequent and significant problems with the flow of speech that a person cannot control. Stuttering is caused by neurological disorders (such as stroke), developmental problems (the most common cause), and psychiatric disorders (the most common cause of new-onset stuttering in adults).
When to See a Doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Impossible to walk normally
- Muscle weakness in the limbs
- Visual field defect
Possible Causes
Generally, Stuttering can be related to:
- Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (AIDS-Related PML)
Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a serious neurological disorder caused by the destruction of cells that produce myelin (protective layer around nerves) in the white matter of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). It is caused by the reactivation of the JC (John Cunningham) virus. Most adults have been exposed to this virus, and it usually doesn't cause any problems, but people with a weakened immune system are at higher risk for developing PML. PML is typically associated with patients who have HIV/AIDS, but it can also occur in patients without HIV who have a weakened immune system for other reasons.
- Social Anxiety Disorder
This is also known as social phobia and is a mental health condition characterized by a constant fear of being watched and judged by others. It can impact work, school, and other daily activities.
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that is characterized by attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and inability to control one's behavior (impulsiveness). It often starts in childhood and can cause a child to struggle in school, at home, or in social relationships. It is more common in male children. The causes of ADHD remain unclear but risk factors include genetic factors, tobacco use during pregnancy, premature delivery, and low birth weight.
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Do you stutter or stammer?
Reviewed By:
Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)
Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Jan 29, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Prasse JE, Kikano GE. Stuttering: an overview. Am Fam Physician. 2008 May 1;77(9):1271-6. PMID: 18540491.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/0501/p1271.htmlLudlow CL. Stuttering: dysfunction in a complex and dynamic system. Brain. 2000 Oct;123 ( Pt 10):1983-4. doi: 10.1093/brain/123.10.1983. PMID: 11004116.
https://academic.oup.com/brain/article/123/10/1983/352143Craig A, Hancock K, Tran Y, Craig M, Peters K. Epidemiology of stuttering in the community across the entire life span. J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2002 Dec;45(6):1097-105. doi: 10.1044/1092-4388(2002/088). PMID: 12546480.
https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/1092-4388%282002/088%29