This explains a lot. Many of our clients are just .... not right. One woman speaks in a monotone and perseverates. Another is waaaaay too cheerful and talks really really fast. Then there’s my SIL who is typically normal, but occasionally calls me and talks and talks and talks. The last time this happened I timed her. She talked (actually bitched and complained) for 20 minutes without one sound from me. I finally broke into her monologue at the 20 minute mark (I was going to be late for work). This just isn’t normal.
re: your SIL
We just had to fire someone like that. She was hired based on perceived potential, but she didn’t have the skills expected (she knew it and we knew it — we were willing to give her a chance and were open about this). So, she needed training. But she wouldn’t listen to anyone about anything. She just wanted to talk. Talk and talk and talk.
It was very hard to ever get a word in edgewise, and if you ever could, and tried to explain how she wasn’t approaching assignments in a reasonable way, she’d cut you off within 10 seconds, hold up a hand and say, “I get it — I get it — I get it — I get it — I get it.”
She was never going to get it, so we let her go. Her medication needed adjustment. Clearly.
Bingo. I think the monotone is often from antipsychotics.
I know somebody who when she sings or recites something is always a word behind, very monotone and strung out.