Jim T.
10-28-2006, 12:49 PM
Check out this article about Scott Adams (http://entertainment.tv.yahoo.com/entnews/ap/20061027/116197722000.html), the guy who draws Dilbert, because his symptoms sound familiar:
Adams, 49, appears to be a rare example of someone who has largely but not totally recovered from Spasmodic Dysphonia, a mysterious disease in which parts of the brain controlling speech shut down or go haywire. As many as 30,000 Americans are afflicted, typically in their 40s and 50s, experts say.
One of the most peculiar aspects of SD is that victims are typically unable to have intimate conversations in their normal voice. Yet they can speak under different circumstances, such as immediately after sneezing or laughing, or in an exaggerated falsetto or baritone, or while reciting poetry, according to SD support groups.
Patients are often so anxious about their speech that they stop breathing or have heart palpitations before trying to articulate their thoughts. There is no known cure but many victims have improved their speech by changing tenor or pitch, or doing special breathing and relaxation exercises.
"It's extremely frustrating," said Dr. Krzysztof Izdebski, a voice and speech pathophysiologist in San Francisco who has treated more than 800 people with SD. "People who have this problem are tremendously socially handicapped. They look normal and may even say one or two normal words, but they have facial grimaces and they stutter and people think they're having a stroke. Society is very cruel toward them."
SD may be caused by a chromosomal abnormality that results in spasms of the vocal chords. It may cause spasms in the eyes, arms, legs and mouth. Many victims suffer multiple dystonias, or movement disorders.
Of course, if Big A was ever cured, his radio career would be over. He's probably better off in his current st... st, st, sssst. His current condition.
Adams, 49, appears to be a rare example of someone who has largely but not totally recovered from Spasmodic Dysphonia, a mysterious disease in which parts of the brain controlling speech shut down or go haywire. As many as 30,000 Americans are afflicted, typically in their 40s and 50s, experts say.
One of the most peculiar aspects of SD is that victims are typically unable to have intimate conversations in their normal voice. Yet they can speak under different circumstances, such as immediately after sneezing or laughing, or in an exaggerated falsetto or baritone, or while reciting poetry, according to SD support groups.
Patients are often so anxious about their speech that they stop breathing or have heart palpitations before trying to articulate their thoughts. There is no known cure but many victims have improved their speech by changing tenor or pitch, or doing special breathing and relaxation exercises.
"It's extremely frustrating," said Dr. Krzysztof Izdebski, a voice and speech pathophysiologist in San Francisco who has treated more than 800 people with SD. "People who have this problem are tremendously socially handicapped. They look normal and may even say one or two normal words, but they have facial grimaces and they stutter and people think they're having a stroke. Society is very cruel toward them."
SD may be caused by a chromosomal abnormality that results in spasms of the vocal chords. It may cause spasms in the eyes, arms, legs and mouth. Many victims suffer multiple dystonias, or movement disorders.
Of course, if Big A was ever cured, his radio career would be over. He's probably better off in his current st... st, st, sssst. His current condition.