[ster]

One thing that happens to me is I lose my voice while I'm talking to someone. Feels strange and embarssing when it happens. this can be just one person I'm talking to. Does anyone else have someting like that happen to them.

[(JD)]

You betcha!

[Evangelista]

Me too!!!..

I used to. I went to my physician because I was afraid it was some health problem and he told me it was called social anxiety. He told me what helps some of those he knows with this is antidepressants and sucking on hard candy like lemon or cherry drops, cough drops and so on which helps keep the saliva flowing so that the person has to take time to swallow and relax. He also said keeping juice and water with me because dehydration can also cause dry throat and so the person can't talk.

When I thought about it I realized he was right it didn't happen when I was on paxil and welbutrin but did happen when I went off them. So I keep a steady supply of lemon drops and cough drops in the house some in each room and some in my back pack for when I am out and about. And I carry with me a 40 ounce water bottle of water or juice in it.

Since I have been doing this I have had no more bouts of sudden dry throat and larengitis(Spelled wrong)

[jennie]

Yes, if I'm stressed I can't talk . . . which makes me more upset . . . and can't breathe. It's part of my panic attacks.

[(JD)]

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...

[dreaming2fly]

happens with me too ster..

Kat