Psychological Trauma and Voice Disorder

Have you ever wondered if personality, emotions, and psychological problems contribute to voice disorders?  At the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Otolaryngology, psychogenic diseases are analyzed and treated.  What is a psychogenic disease?  It is a disease in which mental stressors cause physical symptoms of different diseases. The manifestation of physical symptoms without biologically identifiable causes results from disruptions of processes in the brain from psychological stress. During a psychogenic disease, neuroimaging has shown that neural circuits affecting functions such as emotion, executive functioning, perception, movement, and volition are inhibited.

What about psychogenic voice disorders?  These types of voice disorders have no apparent or known physical cause.  The voice can sound very soft, raspy or strained.  Sometimes complete loss of the voice is possible.  Usually, the underlying cause is psychological.

The psychological effects of trauma can impact the voice. Other mental impairments can cause psychogenic voice disorders. Fear of speaking in front of a large group of people may make a person temporarily lose their voice.

A physician will conduct an examination to ensure that there is no physical or functional cause for the voice disorders. The physician will examine the throat and vocal cords. Testing may be done. If the cause is psychological, examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist will take place.

Addressing the psychological causes of psychogenic voice disorders is essential for the resolution of the voice disorder. Additional treatment can follow from a speech pathologist or voice teacher as needed.

For more information visit:

UPMC Voice Center at 412-232-SING (7464)

http://www.otolaryngology.pitt.edu