Nonverbal Expression in the Voice: Impact of Select Trait, Neurologic, and Psychiatric Conditions

The human voice carries emotion information via sounds. Variations in pitch, loudness, timbre, tonality, rhythm, and tempo reveal how people are feeling, what emotion messages they want to convey, and their physical and mental states. Trait and neurologic conditions may disrupt this communicative process by impairing sufferers’ ability to experience emotion states (alexithymia) or use their vocal apparatus to communicate what they are feeling (Parkinson’s disease). The communicative potential of the voice may be enhanced in those struggling with various psychiatric conditions (depression, mania). This chapter provides an overview of vocal characteristics linked to alexithymia, Parkinson’s disease, depression, and mania. This knowledge can help caregivers recognize and respond appropriately to the emotion states of loved ones dealing with these conditions.