Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s voice has been described as raspy and strained, and he has been public about being diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, a chronic neurological voice disorder and a focal laryngeal dystonia. This disorder results in involuntary spasms of the muscles that open or close the vocal folds, causing a voice that presents with breaks and strained/strangled quality or breathy quality, depending on the type of spasmodic dysphonia (adductor or abductor) . There is no cure for the condition, but patients can undergo speech therapy or counseling to better manage symptoms of SD including breaks, strain, roughness, breathiness, and effortful voicing.