Yeah... stress causes my vocal chords to quit making normal sounds

(In my case no amount of candy will loosen them up, and in fact, I have choked trying this, as the constriction just won't allow saliva nor air to pass well.)

It can be part of a trigger response. (And since this is in PTSD I would guess that's the main thing.) Surely anxiety is included.

There's certain subject matter (regarding my injury) where I totally lose my voice when trying to discuss it with T. I end up having to whisper. He and I both know when this happens to not push too much, and shorten the conversation.

It has happened in public forums, and sometimes with family. For me, it's totally different than the Speaker anxiety (which I used to thrive on!)

The best thing to do, imo, is to acknowledge it. Find an "excuse" and learn it well, for those public situations. They don't need to hear the whole story, in fact, maybe none of it.. any good reason is ok... and soon, they will all understand when it happens and won't bug you about it. I usually whisper something like, "Sorry, this happens sometimes." Going right on anyway takes the emphasis off you and back on the topic..or better yet, changes the topic.

I know of ppl who were abused by family, and any time they had to go to reunions etc, this happened. One good line I heard was they told the family "oh all the excitement..." and yet another was "I've been talking so much (before I got here..on the phone..) etc. "

It's a terrible feeling when it happens outside of therapy, for me...but allowing myself to have this occur from time to time, giving myself permission to be this way, helps it pass more quickly. Be easy on yourself...