help!! how to avert oncoming aspie shutdown

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I have major shutdowns every couple of years where life becomes unbearable, and I usually impulsively quit school/ work, become mildly depressed, withdraw socially (more than usual), lose interest in obsessions/lose the ability to hyper-focus....generally stop functioning in the world. I can see from these forums that this is common for a lot of aspies. I am starting to feel like this right now....I'm just anxious all the time, having more trouble sleeping than usual, and can't get anything done. I think it started because of the course I'm taking in University now, which I fins really boring and thus, difficult to focus on/complete work for. I have been assessed for depression and was told I didn't have it. I was put on meds for anxiety/ A.D.D symptoms, but it takes time for that to build up and work. I still feel like crap. So unmotivated and over-whelmed.

How do I stave off the oncoming shutdown?? Any aspies in similar situations who have learned to avert them?

Hi Daydreamer,

I really, really wished that I could help you out. I'm in the same situation right now. It seems like I get this several times a year. I work as a private tutor but my training is in fine arts. Just recently I've started working in a sketchbook again. But this past week, I have started to have quitting or flight response. I'm still drawing daily and it is really tough. I try to just concentrate on what it is about drawing that drew (pardon the pun) me to it in the first place.

I am looking forward to what advice people can give you.

Maybe the time it takes for the meds to kick in is the time you need to regroup. I don't think checking out for a while is always a bad thing. I think aspies do this because they need to and perhaps the best thing is to go with it, do what you have to and spend the rest of the time just allowing yourself to do nothing.

I've had the experience more than a few times, including when I was in college. The following is what I do and have done, and I hope it may help.

1. I reduce or eliminate all non-essential tasks, duties, or jobs. I've probably upset countless people by simply resigning, quitting, or abandoning things, but I had to do it.

2. I make sure to keep to a very regular schedule, including when I sleep, eat, and do anything else. I also eat only foods that I know my system can handle comfortably. Also, since you're in college, I strongly recommend avoiding parties of any form, or any other recreational activities or substances.

3. I avoid people and social activities, since I find those exhausting even when I am not on the verge of a "brain crash". I am not social anyway, so this is not a difficult step.

4. I ask teachers (when I was in school) or clients (now with work) if I can have an extension or other arrangement so as to ease the work load. I often do not get the extension, but the act of asking, difficult though it may be, helps ease my mind.

5. I find some time each day for complete "decompression". I have several routines that are particularly helpful for this, including sitting in a completely dark room with pillows and blankets arranged to surround me comfortably, and with noise reduction headphones on (the NR headphones are a recent addition, unfortunately not available when I was in college). I include this "decompression/regeneration" cycle in the day's schedule.

Finally, I tweak everything else in my life so as to minimize stress, anxiety, or trouble.

If this doesn't work and you do shut down, know that you will recover and return to baseline, maybe not as fast as you'd like but probably faster than you expect.

Thanks for these responses. Reading this did make me feel a bit better. These forums have become my latest obsession.....I feel so much less alone and hopeless knowing others have been through this. I think "the removal of non-essential duties " from my life will definatley be nessacary. Some ggod suggestions...I will keep them in mind