When someone cries, their voice changes because speaking becomes difficult.
Why Your Voice Changes When Crying
The primary reason for the change in voice when crying is the tension in the vocal cords. Crying is often associated with emotional distress, which stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). According to the reference, when the SNS is activated:
- Vocal Cords Tension: The muscles in the vocal cords tense up. This tension makes it difficult to speak clearly.
- Impact on Speech: Due to this tension, the voice can sound shaky, strained, or even quieter than usual. The inability of the vocal cords to relax smoothly is why the voice doesn't sound normal.
- Return to Normal: Once the emotional distress passes and the SNS is no longer stimulated, the muscles around the vocal cords relax. As a result, the voice returns to its normal state.
How Emotions Affect the Voice
Emotional distress not only affects the vocal cords directly but also has an impact on the overall vocal mechanism, including:
- Breathing: Crying often disrupts normal breathing patterns, making it harder to control the airflow necessary for speech.
- Mouth and Throat: Muscles in the mouth and throat tense up, contributing to the changed sound of the voice.
- General State: The overall emotional state of a person can affect how their voice sounds, with a distressed state typically making speech more labored.
Examples of Voice Changes When Crying
| Example Scenario | Voice Characteristic |
|---|---|
| Intense sadness | Shaky, strained, and quiet voice |
| Overwhelming emotion | Voice can break or crack frequently |
| Physical exhaustion while crying | Weak or breathy tone |
Conclusion
In summary, crying impacts voice due to the tension induced by the body's stress response, particularly in the vocal cords. As the individual calms down and muscles relax, the voice returns to normal.
