Dealing with Meltdowns

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(I’m not sure if this topic already exists but I cba to search for it)

I’ve been having allot of meltdowns recently, I knew it had to do with autism, never knew there was a term for it, now thanks to WP I know.

The reason I’m having allot of them lately is because of the summer holiday that is coming. At home I don’t have much of a social life, everything happens at school in the lunch breaks for me.

Without school my daily routine is: waking up -> turning on the pc -> watching telly in the midnight -> going to bed.

I’m trying to get my social life at school to my social life at home, I’m planning to give a graduation party and such, I’m also trying to organize a trip with my friends. It seems to work out kinda but I’m afraid it won’t be enough to get through another summer of loneliness.

Anyway getting back to the subject, how are you people dealing with having a meltdown? I try to play some really angry music on my keyboard but I need to be careful not to break the thing, I already kinda broke one key once.

Next to that I scream and hit, kick, throw or try to break the nearest object. I also tend to do the headbanging thing when I’m really stressed out.

I’m not really proud of these things I do, but sometimes you just lose control. I’m still searching for a better way to deal with these things, a less destructive way.

Mainly when I have a meltdown I become non-communicative. Though, if you keep poking at me with a stick, I have a lot of trouble vocalizing my thoughts and lash out... most people just leave me alone which works. I try to play physics based games, the thinking really helps calm me down.

Try Phun or Armadillo Run. They both work wonders for me.

I don't have meltdowns often. When I do, I basically turn into a weepy mess. My last one was a few months ago at work. I've only had one screaming, fist-pounding meltdown that I can remember; my sister triggered it (gotta love family.) I didn't know what it was at the time, just that I'd seriously lost control.

Mostly, I try to avoid the situations that cause them. I stay out of crowded, noisy places. I make sure I have plenty of alone-time -- easier for an independant adult, I know. I use stress reduction techniques like yoga or deep breathing or just long walks when I can't avoid stressful situations.

Regards,

Patricia

I mostly think about meltdowns more than having them. I have a Leave of Absence intermittant, at work and the deal is if I feel like I am going to have an 'incident' I can email the work hours folks and tell them I am leaving, and I leave work.

Of course, if I need the money (I am not paid for my absences, and if I have vacation/sick time it comes out of those hours) if I do go I lose out, but I can keep my job and not be a problem with them. Of course, when I leave I have to walk to the bus line, take the bus home and once I am home it's just me and my cat, so as long as I can get home, I am safe.

Sometimes I get so frustrated I just want to open up my voicebox and scream. I fantasize about screaming and bashing my fists against something that dents fairly easily. I think about how satisfying smashing glass sounds, how perfect just vibrating my whole body with the pulse of my madness while thrashing around would feel.

of course, I had most of that beat out of me as a child, and I can't do any of it without also bringing up the guilt and shame of distroying dead, unfeeling material objects as was inculcated into me by my parents. I do find I escalate while discussing situations that involve question like 'why' and 'I don't understand', and all I can say is if I catch myself I can usually stuff it pretty well, but if I don't catch myself. . .well, it can get pretty ugly.

Merle

The best way to deal with meltdowns is to avoid them. Set up routines/rituals, etc. for yourself. Avoid anything that overstimulates you or sets you off. Once a meltdown starts, it is difficult to control behavior.

1. Avoidance
If you can recognise the triggers, take steps to avoid them.

2. Solitude
The meltdown has to run out by itself. Go somewhere where you'll be undisturbed. If in a public place, a toilet? If at home/work, your room or office with a closed door.

I've had tendencies of having a meltdown but rarely. Last one I had was a year ago... hm... :/

I haven't really had any since I was little. I've gotten damn close or this might be how my melt downs work. I pretty much shut down and just don't talk and it relaxes me, of course listening to my music calms me quicker because I love it. But no one really ever does anything that would make me meltdown. Like some people change in a schedule can, I can live with changes but I get pretty pissed if someone steals my seat that I always sit on, I want to slap them and say get off my seat but I know how bad that would be for my image. Just find something that chills you out, do it and make sure you don't talk to people during or just after a meltdown. It's easy to cause another in the calming stage so just stay away until your back to normal, people can just make you angry when it's less needed.

Yes, I have to deal with meltdowns and tantrums alot of the times....

I haven't got much of a social life at home too, I normally just keep myself to myself and don't talk much when at college i talk alot, it makes them think im being a fake, which it upsets me so i just say nothing incase my feelings hurt.... i've only told one of my friends that im like that at home, because i feel they're understanding plus they know how ive became this thing.

Back to the tantrums and meltdowns.... I just cry cry and cry whenever something has upsetted me and i end up getting caught up in arguments with anyone in my family and i don't like having to take it out on them or anyone else cause then i end up feeling bad, but they don't know that.

I keep having more meltdowns recently about my life as i think i might be going through depression again.... I literally feel like it every single day or the week.

My solutions to it, i normally keep it silent or discreet unless im being irritated... or i just listen to music and draw.

I try and do my meltdowns in the car by myself. banging the steering wheel is good since it doesn't break.

Usually when I have a meltdown, I go in my room *there's one at my college I use for that purpose, too.* and act like I'm hitting something or just start reading or whatever, anything... I still hit my head sometimes, but not as much as I used to, and NEVER in front of anyone! My mother actually said I didn't do that because she never has seen it, but then again, I knew that she didn't want me getting hit inthe head at all because of my eyes.

I try to be by myself so I don't start yelling or something, but I usually get calmer by listening to music through my headphones REALLY loud... you need to find what works for you, that's not distructive to you or something else, even though I hacven't quite find it yet, I do know that much. Also, if you see a councelor, you might ask them for help dealing with these... I know how you feel...
Hugs,
~Eilidh

if u like pressure like me try to crawrl under several of em