Can Anxiety Cause Slurred Speech

Why Am I Suddenly Stumbling Over My Words

Anxiety, especially if it crops up when you’re in front of a lot of people, can lead to dry mouth, stumbling over your words, and more troubles that can get in the way of speaking. It’s OK to be nervous. Don’t worry so much about being perfect. Taking that pressure off of yourself might get your words flowing again.

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Treatment Options For Slurred Speech

Treatment for slurred speech relies on early detection of the symptoms and a quick diagnosis. Depending on what is causing the slurred speech plays directly into how it is going to be treated.

After consulting a physician, they may suggest to you a few different treatment options. Listed below are treatment options for slurred speech:

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How Can We Know If Anxiety Causes Slurred Speech

According to the study I have mentioned above, The more anxious/nervous the subject is, the higher the chances of him/her realizing its anxiety through self-evaluation and for the interlocutor to notice the influence of anxiety in his/her communication.

Chris Christensen is a social worker, a traveler, and a music enthusiast. Currently works at Roots Through Recovery as a Personal Care Assistant.

Causes Of Anxiety Slurred Speech

Slurred speech, also known as dysarthria, is when a persons words become jumbled together and may be difficult to understand. This is caused by the muscles that are used to create speech not functioning properly or to their best ability.

Slurred speech without alcohol is linked to a variety of diagnoses that are cause for concern, including:

• Multiple Sclerosis
• Cerebral Palsy
• Stroke

If you think there’s any chance that you may suffer from these or any related conditions, see a doctor. You should never leave your brain’s health up to chance, because your brain is simply too important to take those types of risks.

However, it should be noted that in most cases where slurred speech is caused by the diagnoses above, the slurred speech is long lasting. It may fade in and out over the course of a lifespan, but rarely a few hours or less. It’s possible, which is why this isn’t a risk you should take to chance, but it’s uncommon.

For some people, anxiety can cause slurred speech, as well as issues that resemble slurred speech. All of the following are potential links between stress/anxiety and slurring of words:

These are just some of the reasons that anxiety may be responsible for slurred speech. It should also be noted that some slurred speech once in a while is normal even in those without anxiety. But when you have anxiety, it’s easy to feel as though your problems speaking mean “something more” than what someone without anxiety would think.

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Does Anxiety Cause Slurred Speech

Yes, it does. Like what Ive said in the above statement, anxiety can cause disruption in speech, and it means that a person can also encounter or experience having a slow speech or inability to speak louder. In most cases, when a person is nervous or having an anxiety attack, they tend to speak slower than usual, or they just mumble some words.

Slurred Speech From Anxiety Or Please Help

Ella177

Hi everyone

For the past week or so, ive had this unusual scary symptom. Whenever i speak, it feels like my jaw doesnt work right, like its slowed down or something which results in my speech being slurred. It gets even worse when i focus on it and try to speak fluently. Im really worried something is terribly wrong with me. So i need your help, need some reassurance. Could this

be from anxiety, can anyone relate?

1 like, 10 replies

Thanks for your help!

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What Does Slurred Speech Sound Like

Slurred speech, or dysarthria, usually involves an inability to make a particular motion with the mouth and tongue. Dysarthria causes words that necessitate that movement to sound incomplete or slurred. These are called articulation errors. Slurred speech may sound different depending on the language or the individual affected.

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Here are some frequently asked questions about slurred speech.

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Does Slurred Speech Always Mean A Stroke

No, not necessarily. While difficulty speaking is often associated with stroke victims, there may be other reasons why a person cannot speak properly. Where blood supply to the brain has been interrupted for some reason, brain function can be impaired. Speech problems are common in elderly people with neurological conditions such as dementia. This can, in turn, affect muscles in the mouth and throat and hence verbal communication.

Speech problems do not always indicate a stroke, however. Sometimes old age or extreme tiredness may mean that someone is unable to enunciate words properly. Problems with the facial, throat or mouth muscles can also make speech difficult to understand. Alternatively, drinking too much alcohol can lead to an inability to communicate normally. When the brain is unable to tell your muscles to make the right sounds, speech may become slurred.

Signs And Symptoms Of Slurred Speech

Symptoms of slurred speech are almost the same when looking at all the cases. Generally, slurred speech can be diagnosed from all of these symptoms.

listed below are some possible signs and symptoms of slurred speech:

• Poor speech that is difficult to comprehend
• Slow or rapid speech
• Limited movement of tongue and facial muscles
• The duration of the symptoms temporary or permanent.
• The side of the mouth may drop slightly if the person is suffering from a stroke
• The mouth will not be moving at the correct speed for what the person is trying to convey.

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Is Slurred Speech A Serious Health Condition

To understand this health condition, we must first look at what causes slurred speech. Slurred speech is when there is a disconnect between the motor functions of the brain and the mouth.

This can be caused by temporary exhaustion or alcohol intoxication, but also could be attributed to a stroke or something more severe.

If your slurred speech lasts for more than just a temporary amount of time you should see a medical professional as soon as you can.

The psychological aspects of slurred speech can cause depression, social isolation, and difficulty working or going to school. Most people will experience mild cases of slurred speech in their lifetime.

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All anxiety medications come with a long list of potential side effects. The side effects of anxiety medications, also called anxiolytics, include sleepiness, fatigue, and a slowing of mental functioning. Depending on their class, these medications may also be habit-forming or even addictive. They can help level out panic attacks and reduce anxiety attacks to a manageable level. Some can produce lasting relief, while others shouldnt be used for more than a short-term period.

What Are Common Classes of Anxiety Medications?

If youre exploring how to find the right anxiety medication, its important to learn all you can about them. Physicians prescribe fast-acting anxiety medications to reduce either the immediate effects of an anxiety attack or to work over the long term to reduce day to day anxiety thats uncomfortable but doesnt rise to the urgency of a panic attack or anxiety attack. Some of the most common medications include Valium and Xanax.

Common Anti-Anxiety Medication Side Effects

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Anxiety Can Cause Tension In Muscles That Make It Hard Speak

If you dont have any motor speech impairments, your anxiousness will most likely trigger your cognitive ability to speak. Anxiety twitches your muscles, causing muscle tensions that might make it very difficult for your mouth and tongue to generate distinct, precise phrases. Its possible that youll come across as slurring your words.

Can Lack Of Sleep Cause Slurred Speech

Yes. A lack of sleep commonly causes slurred speech. A lack of sleep hinders the brain from being able to repair itself and restore neurotransmitters. A lack of sleep decreases the brain’s ability to perform complex tasks, including speech. It also greatly decreases your ability to pay attention to tasks at hand, causing an inability to coordinate vocalizations mid-sentence.

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What Is A Slurred Speech

How Can Anxiety Medication Affect Your Public Speaking

Anxiety medication can have a series of side effects that affect multiple areas of your life. Public speaking demands extra attention and focus, your senses must be sharp, and you should be in top form. This is not your reality under the effect of anxiety pills.

If you are taking medications long-term, consult with your doctor before making any changes. It is best not to start a new treatment in the days before an important presentation.

In case of moderate anxiety, there is some medication you only take in stressful moments. Ill focus on this later case in the post. Giving a talk is a stressful moment, and its only normal that you look for some relief. Yet, an anxiety pill, instead of helping you, can do the opposite.

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What Causes Sudden Slurred Speech

Parkinsons and other neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, or Bells palsy affect speech. A detailed physical examination is needed to determine the precise cause of speech problems.

Difficulty speaking can be the result of a migraine, brain tumor, or an allergic reaction . Brain infections such as encephalitis or meningitis are further possible causes. A swelling in the throat, or muscle and nerve problems, can also lead to slurred speech. Early speech therapy can sometimes help with diagnosis, as subtly different speech problems can indicate different causes.

How Do Adults Fix Speech Problems

If you’re diagnosed with dysarthria, your doctor will likely encourage you to undergo speech therapy. Your therapist may prescribe exercises to help improve your breath control and increase your tongue and lip coordination. It’s also important for your family members and other people in your life to speak slowly.

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When Anxiety Causes Difficulty Speaking

At last weeks weekly speech class, The LOUD Crowd, I asked each of the members to share a communication challenge and a goal for improvement. Interestingly, 6/12 people reported anxiety as a major contributor to their speech and communication difficulties.

Anxiety, which can be described as excessive worry, apprehension or nervousness, can be experienced through physical symptoms, such as shakiness, rapid breathing or dizziness, or it can present as a specific fear, such as a fear of social settings or large crowds.

Anxiety is not unique to Parkinsons disease, but its prevalence is cited by researchers to occur in up to 40% of patients with PD, with this rate being higher than in normal or other disease comparison populations and current evidence suggests that anxiety may not be a psychological reaction to the illness but rather may be linked to specific neurobiologic processes accompanying PD.

In a fall report published by the Parkinson Alliance, 26% of respondents to a survey reported that anxiety was present prior to the diagnosis of PD, and 35% of the participants reported experiencing moderate to extreme generalized anxiety.

But what does anxiety have to do with speaking?

Several class members described anxiety as affecting their difficulty with being able to think of the words to express themselves, hence shutting down in conversation. Others described their difficulty as getting tongue tied, and in particular when leaving voice mail messages.

Citations:

So What Are Some Tactics That Can Help Get Speech Back To Normal

• Preparation. If you know youre heading into an important conversation, visualize it going well. Think about a few talking points, so you wont further be stressed by choosing topics on the spot.
• Pacing. Try to speak slowly, whether giving a presentation or just having a casual chat. Rushed speech can lead to slurred speech, so give your brain and your muscles time to work for you.
• Deep breathing. Nervousness can make people hold their breath. Give yourself a few minutes to prepare for your conversation, if possible, and take some deep breaths during that time.

Anxiety-related slurred speech is often a passing condition, which typically lasts up to a few hours . The impact is different for everyone.

In certain cases where the slurring problem lasts longer and alcohol isnt involved there might be an underlying health condition to address. These conditions vary, so anytime slurred speech is bothering you, you should check with a doc to get personalized advice.

If slurred speech is getting in the way of your daily interactions, then give us a call. Our team offers a wide range of speech therapy and communication training, and wed be happy to help find the best fix for you.

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How Is Anxiety Diagnosed

Anxiety is a natural response to stress. For some people, anxiety can become chronic, excessive, and disruptive. If youre struggling with anxiety thats negatively impacting your daily life, schedule a visit with your doctor.

Many of the symptoms of anxiety can be caused by other health conditions, so your doctor will likely use diagnostic testing to help eliminate any other causes of your symptoms first. Once your doctor can rule out other health concerns, youll be referred to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist or psychiatrist, for an official diagnosis.

According to the , you may have an anxiety disorder if you have:

• excessive anxiety for at least 6 months, on most days
• symptoms of restlessness, fatigue, trouble concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances for at least 6 months, on most days
• difficulty controlling your worry or anxiety
• anxiety that causes significant clinical distress or impairment in your everyday life
• anxiety that isnt caused by any other mental or physical illnesses

A mental health professional will diagnose you depending on the exact symptoms youre experiencing. Some of the most commonly diagnosed anxiety-related conditions include:

Anxiety disorders are generally treated with a combination of psychotherapy, medication, and lifestyle changes.

Anxiety And Speech Problems Are Closely Related

Experts will say no, but they may be related. When your muscles tighten up, your thoughts race, you sweat and perhaps feel other symptoms of nervousness, you are experiencing anxiety. These feelings may also relate to difficulty speaking. But does that mean that anxiety is causing the difficulty? The two can be closely related, and speech problems can certainly lead to anxiety.

The impact of anxiety can be different for each of us. So, while we usually do not consider anxiety to be a cause of slurred speech, we need to acknowledge that the physical impact may lead to the discovery of a potential speech problem.

If you are finding that anxiety is impacting your ability to speak the way you would like, a certified speech therapist can help you develop skills to help you be less anxious when speaking, such as:

Jessica Fitzgerald, Clinical Director Better Speech

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