A subscriber writes:  

"There are days where I struggle to speak and tend to stutter and lack the ability to articulate sentences. Other days things are fine and I can talk well. I have had brain scans and results are clear. Is there anything I can do?"

Susan Berkley replies: "First of all, let me say I am glad you had this problem checked by your doctor and that you have been given a clean bill of health.

People are often surprised at how linked their voice and speech is to their thoughts, feelings and even their philosophy of life. We haven't spoken and I don't have any other details about your problem beyond what you share with me here. But here are a two things to consider

1. THE PROBLEM IS LESS SERIOUS THAN YOU IMAGINE

You may be a perfectionist with an overly idealized view of yourself. Sometimes people believe they should speak without a single um, uh or glitch. They expect only pearls of wisdom to flow from their mouth, and when what they say doesn't live up to their own impossibly high standards they feel ashamed, even mortified. There is no such animal as a perfect speaker. Perhaps you are so afraid of making a mistake that you unconsciously judge everything you say and impede your own self expression.

1. YOU'RE NOT SURE WHETHER CONTRIBUTING TO THE CONVERSATION IS A GOOD IDEA

Shy people often have a lot to contribute, but they hold back, thinking that others will judge them or not appreciate what they have to say. But when shy people are asked to think about   what really happens when they communicate and share,  they  often associate it with something good, such as  helping  others or growing in their personal and professional life. Unconsciously, these are the very things that they resist.