A Voice Apart

We have many people inquiring about various voice disorders; but the most nasty of them I would qualify as Spasmodic Dysphonia – especially for sufferers whose speech has been severely compromised due to that disorder. The above-described voice disorder sufferers have been experiencing uncontrolled spasms in their voice, which sometimes also travels to their vocal anatomy from their chest or even their stomach! I could, perhaps, compare it to a form of epilepsy; and in this case, I personally gave it the name of “vocal epilepsy”. The sufferers of spasmodic dysphonia also often have difficulties to swallow their saliva and some foods for that matter. It is definitely a disorder of a neurological nature, but also (and I am quite sure of it) is, quite often, emotionally induced. Due to this fact, it often manifests in the various organs of one’s physical body; whereas, unfortunately, the human voice is not excluded. ‘Is this disorder curable’, you, my reader, may ask? My a...

There could be numerous causes for that nasty and serious disorder.  Interestingly enough, the voice of the sufferer is greatly compromised; however, it is only a symptom and not the cause.   The causes could be induced by emotional, psychological and neurological traumas. For example - a tragic event happens and a switch between autonomous actions that are coordinated between the brain and the control function of the neck, thyroid and larynx becomes affected. As a result, the ‘voice user’ experiences uncontrollable spasms within the neck structure/muscles and other areas that may not have been recorded, especially if they were not ever searched for. Of course, it could also be due to the misuse of one’s voice, as well as via contracted viruses such as a severe infectious cold, flu, strep throat and whatnot. I personally compare this nasty disorder to epilepsy and, in this context, I actually call it “ Vocal Epilepsy” The traumas also could be caused by ne...