Will people with a stutter be accepted into the army: the main aspects of passing a medical examination

General idea of ​​logoneurosis

Stuttering or logoneurosis is a violation of the smoothness and rhythm of speech. In this case, the sounds are either prolonged or repeated with frequent stops. Speech becomes jerky and intermittent. This makes it difficult for others to convey information and understand it. According to statistics, 2% of adults suffer from the disease.

In case of speech disorders, the speech apparatus is also affected - a spasm of the muscles of the tongue, palate and larynx, and respiratory muscles occurs with a feeling of lack of air. By the age of 30, the manifestations of the disease weaken. Today, logoneurosis is considered curable.

Who may develop logoneurosis?

Logoneurosis in adults often stems from childhood, if it has not been eliminated. The longer a person stutters, the more difficult it is to treat. The most effective period in which therapy should be undertaken is 5 years. After this, the likelihood of complete relief from this speech disorder gradually decreases. According to medical statistics, about 18% of patients got rid of stuttering, which had been observed for more than 5 years.

If stuttering first appears in adulthood, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis, since such phenomena are extremely rare. Limitations in communication affect many aspects of a person’s social life. A person may avoid contact with other people, nervousness and stress may appear. Problems with speech lead to the so-called second round of experiences. Often you have to seek help from a psychotherapist, without whose help a complete cure is impossible. Getting rid of stuttering (logoneurosis) itself is a long and painstaking process.

It has been noted that stuttering is rarely observed in people with a balanced, calm character. Many adult patients suffering from logoneurosis have neurotic manifestations, which are expressed in nail biting, hair twisting, etc.

How does logoneurosis manifest in children?

In addition to pronounced speech disorders, children suffering from stuttering also experience other symptoms. Depending on the symptoms, neurosis is divided into different types - phobic. The presence of pronounced fears of something and obsessive, having the same type of movements. In children this is observed in the form of tics. There are a number of involuntary movements that can be observed:

• involuntary twitching of arms and legs;
• grunts;
• patting with palms or hands;
• wink;
• increased head turning;
• nose scratching

Exacerbations of logoneuroses occur during emotional experiences, which can be relieved by a change of environment or motor relaxation. The repetition of certain actions has a strict sequence and may even have their own names. In younger children, there is often a fear of sharp household objects and confined spaces. In some cases, a child may have a fear of speaking in front of people or embarrassment in simply answering an adult or another child. Over time, this can develop into a relapsing phase, which leads to an even deeper neurotic state.

At an older age, a child may develop various fears, increased anxiety, and the appearance of suspiciousness. In parallel with stuttering, mental disorders develop in the form of emotional instability, impressionability, and a tendency to develop various fears. Severe forms of secondary disorders may also develop. Such kids are withdrawn and have a harder time adapting to their surroundings, especially to a new team.

There are three types of symptom prevalence:

1. Tonic logoneurosis. Delays in the form of speech pauses during which the child tries to say something. This manifests itself in the form of stretching sounds.
2. Clonic. Repeating a specific sound over and over again.
3. Mixed. Manifestation of both types.

The main symptom of any logoneurosis is stuttering. It occurs due to a spasm in the speech department, during which it is impossible to pronounce a particular sound. If the tongue or lips are compressed, articulatory spasms are observed. Logoneurosis is the repetition of one sound or part of a word or syllable. Typically, stuttering does not appear all the time, but only in stressful circumstances, strong emotions, quarrels, and various positive or negative circumstances. Logoneurosis is often accompanied by muscle spasms, frequent blinking, nervous tics, and lack of air. These are the main symptoms of logoneurosis in children.

What is logoneurosis in adults

In adults, stuttering is usually accompanied by a number of symptoms:

• increased anxiety;
• sleep disorders;
• appetite disorders;
• increased sweating;
• repetitions and pauses in speech;
• tics;
• feeling of suffocation.

When angry or frightened, temporary stuttering may occur. This picture is typical for most adult patients suffering from various logoneuroses.

How does adult stuttering differ from childhood stuttering?

If stuttering appears after experiencing stress, the use of sedatives may help. This will prevent this speech defect from becoming entrenched. Logoneurosis in an adult is different in that a person can speak normally in a calm state. In a child, stuttering is already present when constructing a phrase; in adult patients, internal speech remains unchanged. In terms of their external manifestations, logoneuroses look the same. Differences are observed at the mental level, accompanied by a number of associated symptoms.

When is someone with a stutter recruited into the army in Russia?

Although normal speech is important in the army, stuttering is not a guarantee of exemption from service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

On the issue of the suitability of conscripts with a stutter for service, the military commission is guided by the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 4, 2013 No. 565 (as amended on December 29, 2016) “On approval of the Regulations on military medical examination” with the Schedule of diseases. In it, article 88 discusses positions in logoneurosis. There are 2 decision points.

• Point “a” includes all signs of a high degree of stuttering. Here there are neurotic disorders of the speech apparatus, up to lack of air during speech. Such conscripts are not accepted for service and are given category “B” - limited suitability, that is, conscription will be carried out only in wartime.
• Point “b” reflects moderately expressed signs in the form of prolongation of individual sounds, slurred but audible speech. There are no malfunctions in the speech apparatus. A young man can serve, but the choice of troops will be limited to category “B”.

There is no deferment for logoneurosis.

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Liberation from the army

Men with severe logoneurosis are subject to exemption. By law, the reasons for refusal of conscripts with serious pathologies are not included in the military ID. Such a person can get a license, but when applying for a job as a driver, there is a high chance of receiving a refusal from the employer, who takes into account other nuances.

If the violations are less serious and the conscript himself insists on serving in the army, he may be recruited with a defect. The main thing is to have no complexes regarding stuttering, and then you will be able to join the team. Positive dynamics in speech development are often observed after adaptation to society. In the presence of complexes and worries, the situation due to nervousness can only get worse.

What can be on the commission?

The medical commission at the military registration and enlistment office (VVK) does not study the health of conscripts and does not make diagnoses. Its tasks include only determining suitability for military service. Speech defects and diagnosis at the VVC are handled by a speech therapist, in the absence of one, an ENT specialist.

If a conscript expresses obvious signs of stuttering at the commission, this does not become a guide to action for his release from the army in 2022. Any diagnosis of VVC requires documentary confirmation only.

Even if the conscript has a set of supporting documents in his hands, the Military Military Commission has the right (and clearly exercises it) to send the guy for an additional comprehensive examination. Only based on its results, the commission makes a conclusion about the conscript’s suitability for service in the armed forces.

During an additional examination, a young man must undergo an ENT, a psychologist and a speech therapist (he will indicate the degree of stuttering). If stuttering is associated with neurosis or pathology of the central nervous system, the participation of a neurologist will be required.

The degree of dysfunction during examination is determined not by the patient’s complaints, but by monitoring speech, dynamic observations, and pronunciation of phrases. For this purpose, various psychological conditions are created.

Next, doctors evaluate those situations where stuttering was severe. The commission makes the final verdict only on the basis of documentary information.

Types and criteria of the disease

Stuttering, like many diseases, is ranked according to severity and manifestation of impairments. It can develop in preschool age or be a consequence of any disease (brain injuries and diseases, nervous and mental disorders, etc.). In this case, stuttering takes on a more serious form, called logoneurosis.

Logoneurosis is a common form of stuttering that is a consequence of neurotic disorders. It is expressed by impaired speech fluency, prolonged sounds and their repetitions, and the manifestation of convulsive symptoms. It occurs in both adults and children. According to ICD 10, it refers to mental illness and is a behavioral disorder.

Causes:

• brain injuries;
• infectious diseases;
• stroke;
• tumor neoplasms;
• psychopathy and mental illness;
• heredity;
• unstable psyche, emotional excitability (typical for teenagers).

The decision of the military commission depends on the severity of the pathology, so it is important to divide stuttering into degrees:

• Mild – occurs when there is excessive excitability, anxiety, or the need to quickly convey information. The speech is clear, the speaker does not focus on defects, and the latter, in turn, are easy to eliminate.
• Medium – can also occur at rest. During a period of emotional outburst, stuttering becomes pronounced.
• Severe – stuttering becomes constant, complemented by gesticulation.

ATTENTION! If the commission at the military registration and enlistment office reveals minor violations of the speech apparatus, the conscript is assigned category “B-4”. The recruit has the right to request additional examination in the presence of third-party pathologies.

And also stuttering has 3 types:

• Evolutionary - appears in childhood (usually preschool) age. During puberty it intensifies, after which a decline is often noticeable. May have a neurotic or neurosis-like nature.
• Reactive – observed in adolescents as a result of exposure to psychogenic factors.
• Symptomatic – occurs due to damage to brain structures, encephalitis, neoplasms, circulatory disorders. Acts as a secondary sign.

How to confirm stuttering at a medical examination at the military registration and enlistment office?

If there is a pathology, the conscript must provide documents from the place of study/work, relevant medical certificates, examination results, and entries in the medical record. If a high degree of logoneurosis is documented, the Russian army will not accept you for service, that is, hesitations will be traced in all forms of speech without exception.

Everything else is an indication for service. And if the stutter is practically invisible, it will not even be noted in the documents.

If you really want to join the army, ask the Military Military Commission to give you a fitness category of “A”, since with “B” you can get assigned to a construction battalion, this is hardly the ultimate dream.

Subspecies of category "B":

1. “B1” - elite troops for the elite: marines, paratroopers, airborne forces and border guards.
2. “B2” - will be used for service in submarines, tanks, and engineering troops.
3. “B3” - Ministry of Internal Affairs, anti-aircraft missile forces, car drivers. Physical activity here is moderate.
4. Category “B4” is the most common. There are even fewer loads and the choice is limited to security and communications.

Appealing the decision of the draft commission

Clause 7 of Article 28 of the Federal Law “On Military Duty and Military Service” reserves the right to appeal the decision at any stage of the commission. The action takes place in an administrative manner: the essence of the complaint must be reflected in writing and the letter must be sent to a higher authority (conscription commission of the region, territory).

Within 3 days you will be scheduled for a re-examination with the involvement of independent specialists. In most cases, the verdict of the re-examination is in favor of the conscript.

If you do not agree with the re-examination, you have the right to appeal the decision in court. It is almost impossible to independently prove the wrongfulness of the commission members, so find a good lawyer

What needs to be filed in court is not the decision of one doctor, but the conclusion of the draft commission. This is the only way to suspend the legal force of the decision until the court makes a ruling. If particularly gross violations of the conscription process occur, it is recommended to contact the military prosecutor's office or a local prosecutor, while simultaneously filing an application in court.

Treatment methods

Of course, this disease cannot be left to chance.

His treatment includes:

• taking medications that relieve spasms of the muscles of the speech apparatus;
• work to improve the psycho-emotional state;
• performing breathing exercises;
• hard work with the speech apparatus.

Every effort must be made to achieve positive dynamics. This requires the willpower of the person himself and the support of loved ones. And then the experience gained in overcoming will play a role not only in the army, but will also remain with the person for life.

Procedure

So that you are not taken into the army

At the initial commission at the military registration and enlistment office, stutter as much as you can. During further examinations, where you will be referred, stutter just as badly. In this case, you are practically guaranteed category B and you will not be drafted into the army.

Some people ask whether this imposes any restrictions on the choice of a civilian profession, since all employers study your military ID and see for what reason you were not accepted into the army. This adequately limits your choice of profession if you stutter during an interview. If you managed to get out of the army due to stuttering, but in life you can speak normally, and show yourself in the same way at an interview, you can easily explain this to the employer, and there will be no problems with employment.

To be taken into the army

Obviously, this will require you to hide your stuttering as much as possible. If the stuttering is weak or almost imperceptible, you will be given category B or the stuttering will not be noted at all in the results of the commission, and you will be drafted into the army on a general basis, unless of course you have other restrictions. If you want to go to serve, we advise you to ensure that you are not noted for stuttering at all, so that this does not impose restrictions on the choice of branch of the military.

We are often asked how to serve with a stutter and how much it interferes with the service. It is very important to understand how badly you stutter. If this does not bother you too much, then there will be no problems, and stuttering will not interfere with you in the army. If you were nevertheless recruited into the army with a noticeable stutter, or you have severe logophobia, it may be difficult for you, since not all commanders and colleagues can treat this with understanding. It should be borne in mind that for some, stuttering intensifies during service, which makes the situation even more difficult. At the same time, there are often cases when service helped improve speech; to some extent, this is due to active socialization in the army.

The role of the family’s response to logoneurosis in a child

A special role in the treatment of stuttering is given to the child’s family and environment. Higher risks exist if the child is constantly in an environment of stress, strong emotions, or if force or psychological pressure is applied to the child.

Parents should follow some recommendations from experts:

• maintain the correct daily routine of the child;
• do not overwork him;
• create a calm atmosphere in the family;
• use a calm metered tone when communicating with the child and each other, avoiding shouting or sudden movements;
• show interest in the child;
• TV or music should not be played all day;
• It is necessary to engage in development with the child.

Whatever methods and methods of treating logoneurosis are used, they may not have any result if these requirements are not met in the family.

Basic criteria for stuttering

According to the generally accepted classification, stuttering is divided into three degrees:

Lightweight

Characterized by speech impairment only in a state of excitement or when it is necessary to quickly share information. Suspensions in the speech process are easily overcome, and the person does not focus attention on his defect.

Average

Rarely manifests itself at rest and in normal surroundings. Against the background of emotional stress, stuttering becomes pronounced.

Heavy

The speech impediment becomes permanent, and pronunciation is often accompanied by gesticulation.

In case of minor speech disorders, the military medical commission assigns the conscript a “B-4” category. In this case, the young man may insist on additional examination if there are severe speech impairments.

Survey from the military registration and enlistment office

Most often, neuroses, pathologies of the nervous system and infectious diseases lead to stuttering. That is why you will have to visit an otorhinolaryngologist, speech therapist, psychiatrist and neurologist.

If a third-party disease is detected that has caused a speech disorder, the examination will take place according to a specific item from the List of Diseases. To assess suitability, test results and documentation from the place of work or study are used.

During the examination, the ENT or speech therapist records the severity of speech disorders, since this indicator is considered decisive for conscription into the army.

What to expect from the commission?

Frequent repetition of individual sounds and syllables, hesitations and stops when trying to pronounce words or entire phrases are characteristic signs of stuttering. Unfortunately, these symptoms are not enough to exempt you from military service. Any diagnosis must be documented by qualified specialists. Stuttering as a diagnosis is made by a speech therapist or otolaryngologist.

Various reasons can lead to such speech impairment, most often causing the disease in childhood.