(stress level affects my voice drastically) What is wrong with me?

[Cyon04]

When I am in a stressful situation, for example, in a crowded loud area, my voice becomes crackly and has a low volume. My voice can be perfect when I am talking to my friends about about something that I am comfortable with and I am in a calm environment. What is wrong with me? I'm looking for options for treatment such as particular medication, techniques, and/or surgery. I would also like a better understanding of this so that I may learn to control it. It's really a big problem since the situations that I find stressful are almost always the situations that I need to preform at my best.

[margypops]

I have heard fo this when a person is in a stressful situation, I believe there are Books on Voice Training, you may want to put simply "Voice" into the search Engine see what comes up,I am assuming you are young when you get older the voice seems to get lower anyway,

[Cyon04]

Not exactly. When I say low, I mean "low volume" which means "not loud." Also, I'm a little young, but not that young. I'm 20.

[margypops]

LOL okay not that young, sorry I know what you mean didnt mean to trivialise your problem,stress can cause many Physical problems , I think you simply done know what to say and it croaks from nervousness, possibly you will have to relax before you go out, as a lot of people have to use their voice ,singers and actors as well as speakers in any walk of life there must be something online have you googled it to see. Sorry I cant be of much help.

[OldFatChick]

Perhaps the stress is constricting your vocal cords. It sounds as though that may be the case.  Try to find out what singers and actors do to loosen their vocal cords.  Perhaps there are some simple exercises you can do.

[BRUCE37]

I have the same problem------are taking any meds by chance? I'm a heavy metal singer with major anxiety issues. I stupidly began taking Alprazalom in Jan and very soon after, I began the same symptoms--- I would consider it stress related or realted to the meds.

[jdtm]

When I am in a stressful situation, for example, in a crowded loud area, my voice becomes crackly and has a low volume.

Your statement above - anxiety will do this (probably social anxiety).  You might wish to google the phrase "anxiety disorders" or "social anxiety" or similar phrases/words to find more information about this topic.