commentr/StutterMay 18, 2023

Content

**My hypothesis is**: If I instruct to execute motor movements (*during anticipatory anxiety or during the inability to initiate speech movements*) with untensed muscles at the top of my head, then I experience a severe headache (from the SNS). I hypothesize that the pain intensity of this headache is too much, and therefore I subconsciously inhibit execution of motor movements (aka **compulsion**) to reduce this pain (resulting in a speech block). In other words, I block because: * I do the **compulsion** (1) to alleviate this headache, (2) because I blame too much headache **Intervention**: If anticipatory anxiety triggers me to inhibit execution of motor movements, then I apply this mindfulness intervention: * untensing muscles at the top of my head * observing my headache (physiological response, aka sympathoexcitatory activating the SNS) * instructing to execute motor movements (aka a **helpful timing method**: speaking immediately when I have the intention/desire to say a word) * Additionally: * if I anticipate a headache (to decide whether to inhibit motor movements or not), then I interrupt myself How would you recommend I improve this strategy to build tolerance against this headache? How would you recommend that I stop blaming this headache to inhibit execution of motor movements? How would you recommend dissociating (or reducing the meaning between) this headache and inhibiting execution of motor movements?

Themes

Coping & AdvocacyCauses & VariabilityAnticipation & Avoidance

Subthemes

Mindfulness & BreathingStress & Fight/FlightOverthinking & Monitoring