PURPOSE: To assess the vocal self-image and to characterize auditory and acoustic aspects of the voices of individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), compared to a control group without psychiatric and vocal complaints, in addition to analyze the psychological aspects that may be involved in the evaluated vocal issues. METHODS: The sample consisted of 35 individuals - 17 with OCD and 18 control cases - of both genders, with ages between 16 and 74 years. All subjects underwent the following research protocols: Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the protocol for the characterization of the voices of individuals with psychiatric manifestations. The subjects also answered the voice psychodynamic analysis questionnaire focusing on their vocal self-image, and were submitted to auditory-perceptive evaluation and acoustic analysis of voice. RESULTS: In the analysis of the vocal self-image, the significant aspects described by the clinical group were the vocal characteristics sad and bad. In the auditory-perceptive analysis, there was a predominance of the slightly hoarse, breathy voice, alterations in resonance, speech rate, modulation and intonation. There were differences between jitter and shimmer values. All values regarding tremor were within normal standard parameters, and no differences were found between the groups regarding fundamental frequency values. CONCLUSION: It was possible to understand the perception of individuals with OCD regarding their own voices, and the deviations in vocal emissions. Thus, the speech-language pathologist can obtain information that allows the improvement in the quality of life of these individuals through speech-language pathology intervention, also aiming at interdisciplinarity.
Voice; Voice quality; Self concept; Voice disorders; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Anxiety disorders
