What Pressured Speech Means and Why It Happens

What is pressured speech

Effective communication is not just what you say, it's how you say it. For some individuals, the way that words come out may pose a barrier to connection. 

Pressured speech is a speech pattern that is more rapid and forceful than typical speech. The speech sounds forced, without natural pauses, and doesn't leave room for listeners to join in. The individual with pressured speech may feel an urgent internal drive to vocalize their thoughts, even when not socially appropriate. 

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Pressured Speech?

There are many signs and symptoms that can be a sign of pressured speech, including:

• Rapid speech that is difficult to understand
• Speech volume that is louder than appropriate
• Urgency to speak, regardless of whether or not it's an appropriate time or location
• Inability to pause or stop speaking to allow others the opportunity to share or interject their own thoughts
• Jumping between ideas, making the flow of speech seem random and not connected

Pressured speech example:

I was thinking yesterday that we should go to the park and, well, if you are free, we should do that, but I went yesterday too. There was a huge black dog. Um, I don't have a dog, but I have a cat. I am allergic to dogs. And some people are allergic to cats too but I am not. I had a dog when I was a kid. I was not allergic then. My friend had a farm and I liked to go there often. They had horses there and a red barn…

In the example, you can see the rapid pace, shifting topics, and sense of urgent internal pressure, not waiting for a response from the other person involved in the conversation.

Rapid Speech vs Pressured Speech: What is the Difference?

Rapid speech and pressured speech are often confused. 

Rapid speech is simply talking fast. This may happen because someone is excited, under pressure, or is a fast talker by nature. The individual may talk fast, but their speech is still aligned with what is socially appropriate for conversational flow. 

Pressured speech is driven by an internal compulsion to speak. The speech does not flow like a typical conversation and does not include pauses for others to respond. 

In clinical settings, pressured speech is often considered a manifestation of an underlying mental or neurological process, rather than just a speaking style. 

What Causes Pressured Speech

It is important to note that pressured speech is not a disorder or illness in itself. It is a symptom reflecting a deeper cognitive, mood, or neurological condition. Below are the common causes and contributing factors. 

Mood Disorders (Mania / Hypomania / Bipolar)

• Mood disorders are one of the most frequent causes of pressured speech. While everyone's experience is different, these disorders can cause thoughts to accelerate, making it difficult for the brain to slow down and filter out thoughts.

Thought Disorders and Psychosis 

• Thought disorders and psychosis, such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, may generate disorganized thinking, with speech flow that is rapid and unorganized. 

Anxiety, Stress, and Panic

• Racing thoughts and difficulty communicating are common symptoms of anxiety, stress, and panic disorders. In moments of panic or tension, speech may feel urgent. In many cases, this results in speech that is rapid, but in some cases it can also result in pressured speech.

Neurodevelopmental and Neurocognitive Conditions

• Neurodevelopmental and neurocognitive conditions such as ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder can sometimes cause pressured speech. 

Substance Use

• Drugs and medications that stimulate the central nervous system, such as amphetamines, cocaine, and excessive caffeine, can cause pressured speech by overstimulating the brain.

How to Stop Pressured Speech

Because pressured speech is a symptom of another condition, treatment is necessary for both the symptoms and the root cause. Depending on the cause, medical professionals may suggest some of the following courses of treatment:

• Medications (Mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, or ADHD medications may reduce internal thought racing and thereby ease speech pressure).
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) can help people become aware of their thoughts and teach strategies to slow down the speed of speech. 
• Talk therapy
• Mindfulness, grounding, and meditation
• Speech Therapy

How Can Speech Therapy Help with Pressured Speech

Speech therapy can be an incredibly valuable resource when it comes to improving speech speed, clarity, and quality. After a thorough evaluation, there are many techniques that a speech therapist might use when working with someone with pressured speech. For example, concentrating on each word in order to help to naturally pace the speech (pacing devices may also be used). 

At Great Speech, we have been experts in virtual speech therapy since 2014! We help people of all ages, from toddlers and children to adults and seniors, gain their voice and speak with confidence. Schedule your free introductory call today.