I've always suffered from a lot of sore throats - and I will note right here that my doctor has told me this could be due to my tonsils not shrinking like most peoples do as they grow up. What has been bothering me lately, however, is the feeling that I have a lump in my throat. My throat can feel gloopy and constricted, no matter how much I swallow or drink or cough. This feeling comes and goes, and so I've been putting it down to being a symptom of anxiety. (I put most things these days down to being a symptom of anxiety! )

My therapist has always noted how quietly spoken I am, and has said that people who feel they can't 'speak up' tend to have problems with the throat - ie they get a lot of sore throats, or feel like it's closing up, or that they're being strangled, etc...

A while ago she lent me a book by Louise Hay (which may be where she got the idea, IDK) that goes along this line of thinking. I have to say I couldn't really go along with Hay's theory that - as I understand it - every physical symptom is a manifestation of some emotion that hasn't been let go (yes, that's EVERY illness or problem, including cancer.) That just seemed so far fetched to me. But, looking up Hay's ideas on what could cause throat problems, I wonder if it might hold some water after all? If not for actual throat problems, at least might it hold true for perceived ones? Anxiety can have some strange effects on the body.

In her book, Heal your Body, Hay describes a sore throat as:

“the inability to speak up for one’s self. Swallowed anger. Stifled creativity...”

The affirmation Ms. Hay prescribes for this is :

“It’s okay to make noise. I express myself freely and joyously. I speak up for myself with ease. I express my creativity. I am willing to change.”

Some of us may be natural introverts, others of us were perhaps conditioned not to speak up - that 'good children' were to "be seen and not heard." Every school report I ever got describes me as 'quiet' - and most people who've ever known me will agree with that. Some of my closer friends don't think I'm all that quiet, though, perhaps because I'm more comfortable and confident in their company? I don't always realise how quietly spoken I'm being until others remark on it, and I often find raising my voice unnatural and uncomfortable. Even if I am willing to raise my vocal volume, I find I can easily cause myself a sore thoat by doing so - or even just by singing along to the radio in my car (and I wouldn't say my singing is the kind of over-exuberant display that would strain anything!) How normal is this? Is it all in my head? Am I afraid of using my voice? Am I just using my voice wrong somehow? Should I just get my ruddy tonsils out?!

Do I have problems with my throat because I don't speak up, or do I not speak up because I have problems with my thoat?

Just wondered if anyone can relate, or if anyone has any thoughts...

[athena2011]

I don't have tons of sore throats but I have noticed lately that my throat seems closed up. Exactly as you described it. Like you swallowed, but there's still something stuck in your throat. I mentioned it to my therapist. I called it a 'lump in my throat'. He said it sounded like fear. Fear/anxiety - rather related I'd say.

I don't have fear speaking up at all if I have something to say. But I have trouble projecting. Recently I've been taking voice lessons. It is definitely helping with the projection. I am also noticing that the lump is not as bad when I have the posture that is required for singing - open, relaxed, shoulders down and back, chest open, not caving in. And projecting from the lungs, and also using the stomach muscles, not leaving it all up to the throat.

So I'd suggest perhaps - breathing exercises, posture exercises, a vocal coach, active meditation like Qi Gong (opens you up). One more thing - possible food allergies that are not severe enough to cause a full reaction but bad enough to cause what you describe. So perhaps - pay attention to what you eat and how you feel for the next 24 hours. See if you can find a pattern. Gluten, dairy and peanuts are strong suspects.

I could tie much of this together: Fear...leads to lack of fulfillment...leads to depression...leads to poor posture...leads to poor projection...leads to straining the voice. Tying in food allergies: Anxiety...leads to not living in the present...not mindful of the body...therefore you don't notice when you react badly to certain substances.

Good luck!

[Silent_tsol]

Hmmm that quote from the book really struck me. I don't have any suggestions or thoughts other than to say "hmmm" and this sounds so much like me. And unfortunately I had my tonsils taken out and one grew back. So again, hmmm

Thank you for posting, I think I'm going to look into that book

[jitters]

I have gastroesophageal reflux and one symptom is that enigmatic "lump in the throat". It can also make swallowing difficult or feel like a strangling sensation, and chronic flare-ups lead to sore throat/tongue. These symptoms may or may not be accompanied by other symptoms, which makes diagnosis a little tricky.

Stress is a HUGE trigger, and since I suffer from multiple mood disorders, I'm pretty much always stressed, ergo, the reflux is a chronic (and, for me, severe) condition.

It's something you might want to run past your doctor...it only worsens with age and complications are best avoided.

Hope you feel better soon!

[BrokenNBeautiful]

I have chronic throat problems, too.

And I have the issues described as well. I am so afraid to have a voice. It's easier to be online.

When I talk face to face, I am extremely self-conscious. Many people have told me that I whine, that I sound annoying and needy.

So I am quiet.

Interesting thread.

My Reiki Master last summer continually told me my "throat chakras were closed".

She thought it was because I was silenced.

Billi