Fast talk in PD

[Ianfrizell]

Hi all

This is a link to my vlog about speed and clarity of diction.

youtu.be/IfQyb8xlNxU(Not working as expected?)

Cheers,

Ian

[FMundo]

This is the first time I have come across the idea that PD causes rapid speech. I have PD and have taken the LSVT course and though the topics of volume (primary concern) and other aspects of speaking have come up . . . "fast talking" has never been mentioned. I think you're onto something significant . . . because, now that you mention it, I do notice that some other people with PD do exhibit the problem.

I wonder if there isn't some sort of "timing perception-feedback" problem that arises for verbal and other voluntary muscle behaviors... There are so many fascinating features that emerge as one's PD progresses which could be intellectually entertaining, if they weren't so damned inconvenient.

One of the challenges of the disease is to NOT become a spectacle in public and to maintain communication channels (especially using facial expression). I need to add "pay attention to how fast I'm talking" to my "How to Fly Manual" for Parkinsons. I do wonder sometimes how boring "getting old" might be if I didn't have PD to contend with.

[Enidah]

Thank you for that, Ian. I think talking slower did make a big difference in your vlog. I hadn't thought about this either but after you mentioned it I thought about friends of mine and how we kind of charge ahead in our speech. Perhaps our perception is off in a lot of areas as far as how long it takes us to do things. I know I'm not really slower paying for my groceries or driving my car but I feel pressure pressure pressure and I think that transfers over to speech patterns also. A part of Parkinson's I have never heard people talk about. I wonder how much of that is a side effect of sinemet. I could find myself getting quite speedy on that stuff at times.

[Ianfrizell in reply to Enidah]

Not sinemet in my case - still pharmaceutical free, thank goodness!

[Ramondo]

My speech is getting quite incoherent at times, slowing down does help,but very embarrassing when in company.

[M1tz1]

When I was listening to this week's vlog, I found I was reading the subtitles because they were there, so I moved away from the screen and started again. What you had to say came through clearly. Thank you for this, Ian.

[Poss]

Thanks Ian for bringing this aspect to our attention. There is a noticeable difference i in your VLOG with slower speech and the better clarity that comes with it. That's an advice I take away with me. Now, I'm off to work on my walking and balance with my therapist who is anxious that I prevent myself from falling.