Parkinson’s disease often affects the patient’s ability to speak clearly and this is often considered one of its worse symptoms. For many patients, the loss of their ability to communicate clearly to others is heartbreaking. For these patients, they have the added problem of feeling as if they have some sort of dementia. It is important to remember that a Parkinson’s patient can hear himself just fine.

It has been estimated that between 65-90% of Parkinson’s disease sufferers will ultimately have troubles with their speech, and these problems can become apparent in explicit ways which include speaking in either a monotone or unintelligible gibberish. At times, patients hesitate before actually speaking which can give the impression that there is some memory impairment or dementia with the patient. At other times, the speech is faster than normal, and very often the same words are repeated over and over. Again, this can give the impression that the patient is suffering from dementia or memory impairment problems.

Dysarthria is another speech problem associated with Parkinson’s disease. This speech problem shows itself in ways such as a weak, soft spoken, slow or incoherent speech. As both the pitch and volume of speech is also affected by dysarthria, eventually speech becomes unintelligible.

Dysarthria is caused by the speech muscles weakening and becoming uncoordinated due to the Parkinson’s condition. Severity can vary from one patient to the next. In fact, some patients may have this in very severe form, while others may only have slight effects from it.

Speech therapy can often help with this problem for some patients. If speech therapy is carefully introduced in conjunction with medication extremely good results can often be achieved.

Voice exercises to improve vocal cords and muscles can also improve speech difficulties caused by Parkinson’s disease. Regular voice exercises can be very effective.

Regardless of the therapy used, a person with Parkinson’s disease who is also suffering from a speech impediment should always be treated with consideration and patience. Visitors should remember that they need time to formulate their words and then must deliver the words through the mouth. It can frustrating for both parties, the speaker and the person listening to the Parkinson’s sufferer, but patience and respect must win out. Trying to get the speaker to speak faster will only make the problem worse.

Everyone should keep in mind that Parkinson’s disease steals many things from a person. The fact that it can also steal a person’s ability to communicate only makes it more dreadful.

For more information and resources on Parkinson’s disease, symptoms, treatment, side effects of Parkinson’s medication, causes, surgery, advice for family and friends of Parkinson’s sufferers and much more facts and resources, visit Jeremy Parker’s comprehensive reference guide on Parkinson’s disease.

Most people are afraid of speaking in public, but why is this? Most people will get anxious if they are to speak in front of a group or a meeting, this is especially so if they do not know the audience members well, as they are afraid they may look foolish or stupid in front of other potentially important people. People become worried that their minds will become blank and they will be humiliated. This can often destroy confidence.

Anxiety itself is a predictable and normal reaction to stress, it can help you cope in tense or difficult situations. Everyone has experienced what it feels like to be anxious, the feeling of butterflies in your stomach and your actions become erratic, you can almost hear your heart beat in your ears, you are sweating as if you had just been jogging. This is what you usually feels if you have stage fright and you are required to speak in public, or during a first date. These, among other feelings of anxiety are normal reactions to stress.

Anxiety is actually a good thing, it stirs you up and forces you into action. Anxiety helps you deal with any situation that is normally terrifying, especially if you are doing it the first time. If the Anxiety elevates to excessive, irrational fear of everyday situations, then it has become an immobilizing disorder.

Anxiety Disorder is a completely different condition. With anxiety disorder the feelings of panic can manifest with no reason and at any time, and are out of proportion to the source of the anxiety, if one even exists. This is entirely different from common Speech Anxiety, which we all feel to varying degrees and which with practice can be overcome relatively simply.

The following are some specific things to try to minimize Speech Anxiety:

* Be as well prepared as possible before you speak - if you know you are prepared you will be less anxious

* Have a backup plan, in case you forget what you want to say, perhaps a topic you can speak easily about without preparation or thought

* Remember that the audience are not there to be critical of you, if you believe they are you may feel more anxious

* Practice your technique and you will improve. Practice is the key to public speaking.

For more Anxiety Articles and Tips for Panic Attacks by Anne Girder, visit http://Anxiety.health-alternative-life.com
For additional information about Anne and Tips for Panic Attacks visit http://www.squidoo.com/tips-for-panic-attacks/