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Page 1 of 2 There are two other elements which are to be considered in each stress cycle. The first element is called the"lull stage" (figure 4A).
The lull stage is the inaction time or inaction period between the stress response and the expulsion. The lull stage is where the brain considers the action it will take in order to move from an uncomfortable state back to a peaceful state. In the case of a sneeze, the brain might consider the following choices as part of its action to expel:
- Reaching for a tissue paper to sneeze into.
- Covering the nose.
- Holding the nose to repress the sneeze.
- Sneezing without a tissue paper.
- Sneezing with or without food in the mouth.
- Sneezing without covering the nose.
- Sneezing into the sleeve.
- Sneezing into a friend's sleeve.
- Sneezing loudly or softly.
- Dramatizing the sneeze.
The action of sneezing may have many factors for consideration. The lull stage is where the decision making process goes into gear in order to choose the action (expulsion) needed for the occasion.
The lull stage is also where the stress cycle may be "blocked." When a cycle is blocked, it cannot complete itself as naturally as if it were not blocked. Another name for a blocked cycle is called a "double bind" (figure 4).
A double bind is where conflicting choices of action fight for position in the decision making process. As an example, a person may need to sneeze; and the need to sneeze occurs during a busy church ceremony. If the person has a lot of shame around sneezing in church, they will experience a double bind. The double bind will be:
The need to sneeze (Factor 1) fighting with, The shame around sneezing in church (Factor 2) These two factors (in the decision making process) will fight for position and cause a temporary double bind.
There are many types of double binds which cause a cycle to become blocked. Examples:
The need to sneeze in public
vs
The shame experienced in sneezing in public
The need to sneeze
vs
A blocked or plugged nostril
The need to cry
vs
The shame experienced in crying
The need to fart
vs
The shame experienced in farting
The need to laugh out loud
vs.
The shame of laughing out loud
The need to urinate
vs
The unavailability of a toilet
The need to expel anger
vs
The fear of expelling anger
The need to scratch an itch
vs
The inability to reach an itch
The need to grieve
vs
The lack of knowledge on how to grieve
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