Symptoms of Spasmodic Dysphonia
There is a wide range of speaking difficulty that may be associated with spasmodic dysphonia. Some affected individuals may occasionally struggle to say a word or two, while others may have substantial difficulty speaking that interferes with communication. Some types of speech, such as singing, laughing, or yelling, may be unaffected. There are three different types of spasmodic dysphonia:

Adductor spasmodic dysphonia: causes the vocal cords to close and stiffen, resulting in a strained voice

Abductor spasmodic dysphonia: causes the vocal cords to stay open, resulting in a weak and quiet voice

Mixed spasmodic dysphonia: causes the vocal cords to both open and close inappropriately, resulting in a mix of symptoms

While anyone can be affected, spasmodic dysphonia more often affects women and is more likely to begin between the ages of 30 and 50 years. The onset of symptoms may be sudden or may be relatively mild and progress over a period of time. Some individuals with the disease may have a tremor (shaking) in other body parts, such as the hands, or symptoms of another neurological disease.