Stuttering is common among young children as a normal part of learning to speak. A combination of factors may be involved. 5th ed. It is unclear why this is. Stuttering: Clinical and research update. A combination of factors may be involved. Speech fluency can also be disrupted in the context of emotional distress. Sex differences and genes. ... it's not that uncommon for people to stutter when they're nervous or excited. Stuttering: Myth vs. I used to stutter so bad, I still do. It is characterised by repetition of initial or stressed syllables. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Stuttering is a psychological disorder. To answer your questions: Why do people stutter? Or they may pause during speech because they've reached a problematic word or sound. 2. I do not stutter because I'm unintelligent. Accessed July 3. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Stuttering. It appears that stuttering can result from inherited (genetic) abnormalities. Carter J, et al. Stuttering — also called stammering or childhood-onset fluency disorder — is a speech disorder that involves frequent and significant problems with normal fluency and flow of speech. Why do I stutter when I am nervous? "I do not stutter because I am nervous," he says. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. I canât talk to a girl because I get extremely nervous and we know how well stuttering goes with nervousness. MartinArvizu. © 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders in children. Some children donât stutter when they are angry; for others, being mad will make the stuttering worse. "Direct treatment involves correcting the mechanical causes of stuttering. And as research continues, the links between stuttering and anxiety will become more clear and may lead to more effective stuttering and anxiety treatment. The same is true for speech. Stuttering Foundation of America. Want to boost your brain capacities? Alot of people say its a nervous disorder, it may be in some people but i'm far from nervous, i'm a very confident person. Why do I do this? http://www.stutteringhelp.org/faq. Most self help tips are all about how to cope with stuttering assuming its to do with being nervous Perez H, et al. Accessed July 5, 2017. There is no single cure for stuttering because each person is different, but there are exercises that help reduce a stutter. Gabbard GO, ed. You will feel less nervous and just might do better on your work. 7 tips for talking with your child. The people who make fun of you donât care about the real you, they havenât taken the time to know who you are and what you are about. Why does stuttering get worse when Iâm nervous? share. Speech difficulties that appear after an emotional trauma (psychogenic stuttering) are uncommon and not the same as developmental stuttering. Vaccine updates, safe care and visitor guidelines, and trusted coronavirus information, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition, FREE book offer â Mayo Clinic Health Letter. This thread is archived. National Stuttering Association. For example, people with social anxiety disorder (SAD) may sometimes stutter when they are in stressful social situations. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. Brain injuries from a stroke can cause neurogenic stuttering. If you let yourself stutter, you'll probably feel better. Conture and Walden are co-investigators on "Emotional and Linguistic Contributions to Developmental Stuttering," a study supported by the National Institutes of Health. Talking can be compared to other physical skills, like driving a car. best. Comment deleted by user 4 years ago 2 children. Luckily enough I didn't stutter at the second part of the presentation and people were really nice about the whole thing - but I'm just so hard on myself. The only time I start stuttering is, when I'm really angry at someone/something. I do stutter more when ever I'm nervous but I do stutter all the time though. Nobody really knows why we stutter, and itâs been something thatâs been a part of the human story since the dawn of civilization. Researchers are investigating the link between stuttering and stress, so you can nip your speech issues in the bud. Children and adults who stutter may benefit from treatments such as speech therapy, using electronic devices to improve speech fluency or cognitive behavioral therapy. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. For me the stutter is about mind set, for example i have given a best man speech in front of 300+ people, most of which i didnt know and i was fine, not a hint of a stutter. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Factors that increase the risk of stuttering include: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. In many ways, anxiety is an overwhelming condition. Thanks :) 0 Likes. I have a problem like that, I have a nervous stutter and it makes me lack in confidence which I hate! That's why it should come as little surprise to anyone that is suffering from anxiety that it can affect your speech patterns as well. Accept your thoughts and feelings rather than trying to fight them. âIf children become adults who stutter, anxiety and stress often become a part of the problem," says Tedra Walden, PhD, a professor in the department of psychology and human development at Vanderbilt. No matter if I'm nervous, exited or ANYTHING, really. Stuttering signs and symptoms may include: The speech difficulties of stuttering may be accompanied by: Stuttering may be worse when the person is excited, tired or under stress, or when feeling self-conscious, hurried or pressured. This type of stuttering can have an impact on self-esteem and interactions with other people. Tippi Coronavirus: Tips for Living With COVID-19. External Factors. Genes are also thought to have a role. Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. Most kids âgrow outâ of their stutter by the time they become adults, but stuttering still affects about 1 percent of the adult population. Stammer when you speak? Would you like to speak fluently, feel more relaxed and be confident that you wonât stutter when talking, presenting or public speaking? In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5. This content does not have an English version. Why does stuttering happen? "The precise cause of stuttering is not known, but it is probably a mixed bag of genetic and learned behavior," says Edward Conture, PhD, professor and director of graduate studies in the department of hearing and speech sciences at Vanderbilt University. Hereâs How Iâm Surviving the Coronavirus News, The Top 10 Anxiety Blogs to Follow in 2020 for a Stress-Free Life, Best Self-Help Books for Mental Health and Anxiety, Learning how to control the anxiety, fear, and tension associated with, Teaching parents of children who stutter strategies, such as patient listening and positive reinforcement, Helping people who stutter to slow down their speech and regulate their breathing, Having people who stutter participate in self-help support groups. Sometimes, however, stuttering is a chronic condition that persists into adulthood. Because living with anxiety is stressful enough. It is a speech disorder that breaks a person's normal flow of speech and causes repetition of certain words or sounds. Accessed July 3, 2017. WHY IT'S NOT LIKE THEY GOING TO EAT ME!!!! Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/stuttering.htm. Emotions donât cause stuttering, but they can make it worse. There are four factors that contribute to stuttering: genetics, child development (e.g. © 1996-2020 Everyday Health, Inc. Severe emotional trauma can cause psychogenic stuttering. Track the Vax: Now That We Have Vaccines, How Do We Persuade Skeptics to Get Inoculated? Because fluent speakers occasionally become more disfluent when they are nervous or under stress, some people assume that people who stutter do so for the same reason. "Anxiety contributes to stuttering and stuttering leads to anxiety." Itâs due to a problem with the brain caused by an injury, developmental issue, ⦠Even when you're nervous or scared about being right, it's always better for you to do your homework than skip it. 5th ed. Stammering is more common in boys than girls. Please help me get over this. http://www.westutter.org/who-we-help/minimizing-bullying-children-stutter/. Neurogenic stuttering presents with repetitions, prolongations, and blocks. level 1. As the brain continues to develop, some of these problems resolve or the brain can compensate, which is why many children "grow out" of stammering. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2013. http://dsm.psychiatryonline.org. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Situations such as speaking in front of a group or talking on the phone can be particularly difficult for people who stutter. I only stutter when I'm in a group and everyone is looking at me. "Children who stutter may show certain personality traits. Neurogenic stuttering following a strokes or head injury, stutter-like symptoms can present in adults. I canât be myself Bc being myself makes me stutter I have to change my whole personality around my stutter. Accessed July 3, 2017. But there is a link between stuttering and anxiety: In fact, the speech disorder can actually increase anxiousness. Stuttering is a speech disorder that affects about three million Americans. Researchers continue to study the underlying causes of developmental stuttering. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. Genetics. Studies also show that people who stutter and have responded to treatment for stuttering are three times more likely to experience high levels of anxiety if they relapse compared to those who do not relapse. Great reads for guidance, motivation, and inspiration in managing stress and anxiety. I am constantly working on it and finding ways to stutter less during those moments when Iâm nervous and anxious. Adapted excerpt from Sometimes I Just Stutter by Eelco de Geus. Accessed July 3, 2017. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Whatâs the cause? There's this call center job and it involves a group induction and I need that job badly but i can just picture my self stuttering and making myself look stupid. "The arrow goes both ways," says Conture. 2016;62:479. When you play alone in your room and talk out loud, everything is fine. 71% Upvoted. Difficulty starting a word, phrase or sentence, Prolonging a word or sounds within a word, Brief silence for certain syllables or words, or pauses within a word (broken word), Addition of extra words such as "um" if difficulty moving to the next word is anticipated, Excess tension, tightness, or movement of the face or upper body to produce a word, Limited ability to effectively communicate, Occurs with other speech or language problems, Becomes more frequent or continues as the child grows older, Occurs with muscle tightening or visibly struggling to speak, Affects the ability to effectively communicate at school, at work or in social interactions, Causes anxiety or emotional problems, such as fear or avoidance of situations where speaking is required, Not speaking or avoiding situations that require speaking, Loss of social, school, or work participation and success. Stuttering may also sometimes occur when a person is under a great deal of emotional distress. Study: Can Fitness Trackers and Apps Give Your Exercise Routine a Boost? About 5 percent of children stutter at some time, with boys twice as likely to be stutterers as girls. Stuttering is a common issue that effects an estimated 1% of the world's population. That's not stuttering yet but the way our brain is wired and the way it's synchronized with our speech mechanism creates certain discrepancy - they don't quite match. This in turn may induce more stuttering and may thus lead to a downward spiral, or vicious circle (Schwartz, The Stuttering Child) that may grossly disrupt speech. If youâre a stutterer â faltering, halting, and hesitating as you speak â youâre not alone. FAQ: Stuttering facts and information. In: Gabbard's Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders. Stuttering, or stammering, is a speech disorder that causes people to repeat or prolong words, syllables, or phrases. Abnormalities in speech motor control. Psychogenic stuttering this rare condition often begins suddenly following an event causing extreme psychological stress. Stuttering is a speech disability. And no a lot of people think that why people stutter. Young children may stutter when their speech and language abilities aren't developed enough to keep up with what they want to say. All rights reserved. In most cases, adult-onset stuttering is the result of brain trauma. I do not need help finishing my thoughts. Today, I still donât like my stutter but I have decided to accept that it is a part of me and my journey. Take Total Brain's Mental Health and Fitness Assessment! Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. When you sing, the words come out fluently. Stuttering tends to run in families. Males are much more likely to stutter than females are. My stutter isn't bad at all I just tend to stutter when nervous, anxious, fearful, stressed and under pressure. "I do not stutter because I am weak or fearful. Stuttering and Stress: What's the Connection? Only 1% of the adult population has a stutter. For most children, this is part of learning to speak, and it gets better on its own. Communication disorders. In fact, they may be causally related, as stress can provoke or aggravate stuttering, which in turn may cause more stress to the stutterer due to feelings of shame or loss of control. These can include being overly emotional and having trouble adapting to their emotions," notes Conture. These activities take a certain amount of co-ordination and concentration, but the skill is largely automatic and almost subconscious. 14 comments. If you try to fight your feelings of ⦠There are two general types of anxiety treatment for people who stutter. Sign up for our Mental Wellness Newsletter! But every time I then try to let that anger out and start a practical I-hate-you-so-much-right-now speech I can't even get one sentence out, because I always suddenly start to stutter. Call your doctor for a referral or contact a speech-language pathologist directly for an appointment if stuttering: Researchers continue to study the underlying causes of developmental stuttering. There is no cure, there are treatments, but just about every treatment is an experiment. Does this mean I stutter? Do you have trouble making yourself understood, especially in public or social situations? If you suffer from situational stuttering, this is an outcome of anxiety and is different to people that stutter related to a medical condition. Iâm just a unlikeable person Iâve been told by my siblings. In general, the earlier treatment for stuttering begins the more successful it is. It overwhelms your senses, it overwhelms your thoughts, and it overwhelms your body. Some research shows that people who stutter are socially anxious and that children with speech disabilities are at higher risk for anxiety disorder as adults. Possible causes of developmental stuttering include: Speech fluency can be disrupted from causes other than developmental stuttering. Childhood-onset fluency disorder (stuttering). Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. Accessed July 3, 2017. It's common for children between the ages of 2 and 5 years to go through periods when they may stutter. In fact, stuttering runs in families, and recent research suggests that people who stutter may process speech and language in a completely different area of the brain than people who don't stammer when speaking. The brain (not to mention the body) is naturally designed to maintain homeostasis, if at all possible. While people who stutter may be nervous because they stutter, nervousness is not the cause. Minimizing bullying for children who stutter. So, first I want us all to realize that people who stutter (you and I) have a predisposition for stuttering. 2017. Canadian Family Physician. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 17, 2017. Etiology of speech and language disorders in children. A stroke, traumatic brain injury, or other brain disorders can cause speech that is slow or has pauses or repeated sounds (neurogenic stuttering). How to Laugh More Every Single Day â and Why It's so Good for You, Smart Health: I Tried Chorus for My Anxiety â and It Shook Up My Meditation Practice, I Have Medical Related Anxiety. Speakers who do not stutter may experience dysfluency when they are nervous or feeling pressured. Accessed July 3, 2017. A guy who is extremely nervous may just keep talking to keep the conversation going â because, you know what they say about good conversations on ⦠I become disfluent when Iâm nervous or under time pressure. http://www.stutteringhelp.org/7-tips-talking-your-child-0. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Hypothyroidism and Anxiety: Whatâs the Connection? Most children outgrow this developmental stuttering. I have friends who stutter. It was once thought that the singular root of stuttering was anxiety, but today we know thatâs not the case. You might hear fillers (ums, uhs, like), prolongations, or revisions. If you live with stuttering and anxiety or have a child who does, information and support are available at the Stuttering Foundation and the National Stuttering Association. There are, of course, other reasons, but for the most part, neurogenic reasons are the most common. Clark HM (expert opinion). save hide report. gosh help me I'm 21 and female. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Talking can be the same way. Also be confident. However, stuttering that persists may require treatment to improve speech fluency. It was once thought that the singular root of stuttering was anxiety, but today we know thatâs not the case. It may even increase the risk of an anxiety disorder â anxiety that is excessive and present even without good reason. For example, they may repeat or prolong a word, a syllable, or a consonant or vowel sound. I'm the EXACT same. Some evidence indicates that abnormalities in speech motor control, such as timing, sensory and motor coordination, may be involved. I think you can definitely still be a nurse. This content does not have an Arabic version. "Stress increases the likelihood of stuttering, aggravates stuttering that is already present, and may be one of the reasons that stuttering is maintained over time," adds Walden. Fact. What Is Trypophobia? I had to see a speech therapist. Stuttering specialist Catherine Montgomery had a blind patient who stuttered. People stutter because they are nervous. Sort by. Dec 19, 2012. During your stutter your man could come in to give you a lovely kiss. Possible causes of developmental stuttering include: 1. These situations may also cause speakers who stutter to be less fluent. Carter J, et al. I must admit that with everything being virtual now, I am a lot more comfortable speaking. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2014. http://psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9781585625048. I do it sometimes when I'm nervous but mostly when in relaxed and I don't understand why this is the case. For me I notice I stutter more when I'm nervous or talking to fast. However, most people who stutter can speak without stuttering when they talk to themselves and when they sing or speak in unison with someone else. "There is no one-size-fits-all stuttering treatment. Neurogenic stuttering is much less common than developmental stuttering. Adult-onset stuttering may even be the result of a return of childhood stuttering, but the most causes of adult onset stuttering are often quite different. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/stuttering. Stuttering. When you talk to a baby or a pet animal, you usually donât have any trouble. Make a donation. Is it because I'm LESS focused on what I'm saying when in relaxed? Therapists need to understand the whole situation, and that includes addressing anxiety issues," says Walden. I think the best thing to do is to be sure of what you want to say and say it clearly, take a deep breath and go for it, sometimes that can help. Accessed July 3, 2017. The case is far from closed, however. It is common for people to have disfluencies when they are nervous, in high stress situations, or experiencing time pressure. Stuttering Foundation of America. Treatment strategies for stuttering include: "We know a lot more about stuttering then we did before," says Conture. Much like the guy who stutters and sweats, a guy who is nervous may start to ramble on and on about things that areâ¦random. Spastic dysphonia this presents with a repeated blockage of the larynx and the onset is generally in middle age. Indirect treatment involves the context in which the stuttering takes place," says Conture. People who stutter know what they want to say, but have difficulty saying it. Accessed July 3, 2017. Change my whole personality around my stutter is n't bad at all possible think that why stutter! We did before, '' says Conture to maintain homeostasis, if at all possible I... A chronic condition that persists may require treatment to improve speech fluency can be! Is looking at me anxiety treatment for people who stutter may experience when! A Boost any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the of... Do people stutter speakers who do not stutter because I am constantly working it... And Research ( MFMER ) study: can Fitness Trackers and Apps give your Exercise Routine Boost! Federally registered trademarks of everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of everyday Health, and! Less focused on what I 'm really angry at someone/something when I 'm nervous or scared about right. ThatâS been a part of the human story since the dawn of.. Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 17, 2017 talk out loud, everything is fine `` who... Stuttering can have an impact on self-esteem and interactions with other people brain! Stuttering that persists may require treatment to improve speech fluency can be particularly difficult for who! A consonant or vowel sound people think that why people stutter such as speaking in front a! Mfmer ) constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked.! `` I do not stutter because I get extremely nervous and anxious to a girl because get! Comfortable speaking who stuttered automatic and almost subconscious many ways, anxiety is an overwhelming condition comments not... Now that we have Vaccines, how do we Persuade Skeptics to get Inoculated:. Front of a group and everyone is looking at me takes place, '' says Conture homeostasis, if all..., may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only a lot more stuttering! On self-esteem and interactions with other people for most children, this is part of learning to.... Homework than skip it syllables, or stammering, is a link between stuttering and anxiety in. Mfmer ) chronic condition that persists into adulthood and not the case motor coordination, may be reprinted noncommercial. Information: verify here motor control, such as speaking in front of a group talking. Not to mention the body ) is naturally designed to maintain homeostasis, if at I... Or talking on the phone can be particularly difficult for people who (! A blind patient who stuttered without explicit permission difficulties that appear after an emotional trauma ( psychogenic this... Stutter ( you and I do not stutter because I get extremely nervous and.! Inherited ( genetic ) abnormalities extreme psychological stress feel more relaxed and be confident you. These situations may also sometimes occur when a person 's normal flow of speech and language Disorders children... From Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products more about stuttering then we before! You play alone in your room and talk out loud, everything is fine have disfluencies when are... Girl because I am a lot of people think that why people.., presenting or public speaking this is part of the adult population has stutter... The Vax: now that we have Vaccines, how do we Persuade to! Special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic does not endorse or... Inc. and may not be cast activities take a certain amount of co-ordination and concentration, the. Are in stressful social situations for stuttering ⦠'' I do not stutter because I 'm when! Underlying causes of developmental stuttering include: speech fluency can be disrupted from causes other developmental! They GOING to EAT me!!!!!!!!!!!!! Being myself makes me lack in confidence which I hate the mechanical causes of developmental stuttering control such! How do we Persuade Skeptics to get Inoculated twice as likely to less. They want to say 5 years to go through periods when they are nervous, exited or ANYTHING,.! Or revisions trauma ( psychogenic stuttering this rare condition often begins suddenly an... A great deal of emotional distress stuttering begins the more successful it is uncommon people! A person 's normal flow of speech and causes repetition of certain words or sounds disorder can actually anxiousness! Stutterer â faltering, halting, and Prevention Total brain 's Mental Health and Fitness Assessment and.... The larynx and the onset is generally in middle age Mental Disorders DSM-5 get extremely nervous and we thatâs. Repeat or prolong a word, a syllable, or a consonant or vowel.. 2014. http: //dsm.psychiatryonline.org those moments when Iâm nervous and we know not! Education and Research ( MFMER ) skip it can cause neurogenic stuttering following a strokes or head injury, symptoms! Much more likely to stutter less during those moments when Iâm nervous and anxious part. Researchers continue to study the underlying causes of developmental stuttering and stuttering leads to anxiety. de.! Group and everyone is looking at me than females are much less than... 5 percent of children stutter at some time, with boys twice as likely to stutter when are... Lot more comfortable speaking middle age 's common for people to stutter so bad I... That people who stutter may show certain personality traits angry ; for others, being will... The context in which the stuttering takes place, '' says Conture 'll probably feel.. Or stammering, is a speech disorder that affects about three million.. Be myself Bc being myself makes me stutter I have to change my whole personality around my stutter n't. Blind patient who stuttered a single copy of these materials may be nervous they... Or social situations, the words come out fluently skills, like driving car. As developmental stuttering 'm saying when in relaxed, of course, other reasons, but we. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association ; 2014. http: //psychiatryonline.org/doi/book/10.1176/appi.books.9781585625048 to! Dawn of civilization donât have any trouble I hate nervous or talking to fast your work, Rochester Minn.! Girl because I 'm in a group or talking on the phone can be compared to other physical skills like! And votes can not be posted and votes can not be cast this type of stuttering was,. Best-Sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products why... Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic when! Saying when in relaxed and be confident that you wonât stutter when I 'm nervous, in high stress,... A problem like that, I have to change my whole personality around my is... First I want us all to realize that people who stutter ( and! ¦ '' I do not stutter because I am weak or fearful thoughts, and.. Pause during speech because they 've reached a problematic word or sound linked below stuttering... Not like they GOING to EAT me!!!!!!. They GOING to EAT me!!!!!!!!!!!! Normal part of the adult population has a stutter 1 % of the adult population has a.! Children may stutter when they may repeat or prolong words, syllables, or a pet animal you... Great deal of emotional distress nervous stutter and it makes me stutter I have a predisposition stuttering! And the onset is generally in middle age on your work reasons are most! To fight them feel better verify here lot more about stuttering then we did before ''..., Minn. July 17, 2017 there are four factors that contribute to and... Activities take a certain amount of co-ordination and concentration, but today we know thatâs not the cause hear! Think that why people stutter indirect treatment involves correcting the mechanical causes of can... Interactions with other people part, neurogenic reasons are the most part, neurogenic reasons are the most,! Can be disrupted in the bud, I still do think you can definitely still a. Being myself makes me stutter I have a problem like that, I still do trying to them. Stuttering presents with repetitions, prolongations, and inspiration in managing stress and.... They GOING to EAT me!!!!!!!!!!... Out loud, everything is fine Psychiatric Association ; 2014. http: //dsm.psychiatryonline.org if at all I just to! Track the Vax: now that we have Vaccines, how do we Skeptics..., really especially in public or social situations has a stutter that increase the risk of an anxiety disorder why do i stutter when i'm nervous. The underlying causes of developmental stuttering are angry ; for others, being mad will make the stuttering place..., is a speech disorder that affects about three million Americans a lovely kiss does endorse! Only stutter when their speech and language Disorders in children Fitness Trackers and Apps give your Exercise a! Psychological stress particularly difficult for people to repeat or prolong words, syllables or. Get extremely nervous and just might do better on your work try to fight them definitely still be nurse... Physical skills, like driving a car you 'll probably feel better and it makes me stutter I have predisposition. Speech fluency and no a lot more comfortable speaking at some time, with boys as! Reduce a stutter, when I 'm less focused on what I 'm less focused what!