It is very common to experience a “squeaky” voice when crying, because the muscles around the voice box are tightened, and you are not breathing effectively.
The glottis attempts to remain open as an individual cries. This fight to close the glottis creates a sensation that feels like a lump in the individual's throat. Other common side effects of crying are quivering lips, a runny nose, and an unsteady, cracking voice.
If you're about to cry, you might speak in a quavering voice. Quavering voices are a little bit pitiful. When someone's voice quavers, it becomes unsteady, a little like a stutter. You can describe such a voice as quavering.
Tears can create vocal problems
It swells the vocal cords. Swollen vocal cords do not work very effectively, period. Sinuses also swell. This gives the typical nasal sound, like when you have a cold or sinus infection.
The symptoms are perfectly real but may be occurring in response to emotional distress rather than related to infection, physical abnormality or disease. Voice loss associated with emotional distress is usually termed a 'psychogenic' voice disorder.
When we are hurt, frustrated, or angry, it's common to get teary-eyed and experience that familiar lump in the throat, making it difficult to talk. Crying can convey to others how deeply we feel or that we need extra care, which can be helpful.
Recent research has shown that under periods of stress, the muscles that control the voice box become tense. Periods of prolonged muscle tension in the voice box can lead to an incoordination of the vocal control system.
The lump in the throat feeling is created by the muscles of the throat trying to close while the glottis is wide open. A lump in the throat is a very standard response in an emotional situation for these simple reasons.
Frey, PhD, found that women cry an average of 5.3 times a month, while men cry an average of 1.3 times per month, with crying defined as anything from moist eyes to full-on sobbing.
To protect your voice, you may have felt the urge to whisper. But many otolaryngologists advise against this, warning that whispering actually causes more trauma to the larynx than normal speech. Singers in need of vocal rest are often given the same advice: Avoid whispering. It will damage your pipes.
04/6Your breathing may change
When you experience intense emotions and let your body release it (by crying) you might experience shortness of breath and rapid breathing. This happens because when you are stressed, the airways between the nose and the lungs become tight.
Known as the globus sensation, the feeling is the result of a battle between the opposing forces of muscles attached to your glottis (the opening between your vocal cords). It tends to present itself when sad, or when you swallow or hold your breath to avoid crying.
Your brain signals your adrenal glands to release stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. These chemicals boost your heart rate and blood pressure, so if you hold them in while trying not to cry, it can translate into chest tightness and heavy breathing.
The types of emotions associated with the throat are fairly clear-cut. Apart from isolated tokens such as feeling offended or afraid, throat expressions essentially relate to desire on the one hand, and anger on the other hand.
Psychogenic aphonia, or psychogenic conversion aphonia, is when you suddenly lose your voice due to emotional or psychological stress. People who have psychogenic aphonia can speak but only in strained whispers.
Since swallowing involves closing the glottis, this works against the muscles that open the glottis in response to crying. We experience the resulting muscle tension as a lump in the throat.
Some people find it difficult to cry because of societal pressure or their internalised beliefs about crying. For example, if we believe that crying is embarrassing and childish — or if we're simply scared of being vulnerable — it's only natural that we'll try to stave off our tears.
Causes of Selective Mutism
Anxiety disorders or being too anxious because of stress. Poor home and family relationships. Early psychological problems that were not addressed properly. Low self-esteem issues.
This is known as anhedonia. Similar to melancholia, anhedonia can reduce your ability or inclination to express how you feel — including through crying. Reaching that emotional peak might be difficult or impossible for people with depression.
Acute laryngitis often gets better on its own within a week or so. Self-care measures, such as voice rest, drinking fluids and humidifying your air, also can help improve symptoms. Chronic laryngitis treatments are aimed at treating the underlying causes, such as heartburn, smoking or excessive use of alcohol.
Vocal cord paresis or paralysis.
If they are paralyzed in an open position, you may have a weak, breathy voice. Some people will get better over time. In other cases, the paralysis is permanent. Surgery and voice therapy may help improve the voice.
Researchers have established that crying releases oxytocin and endogenous opioids, also known as endorphins.