Meltdown instructions, please

Post Reply New Topic

I'm middle aged, no Dx but I'm sure I'm aspie. I'm learning. Today I figured out a situation. I need your input re what to do.

I had a meltdown. Simple. But it's the first one that I can see as a meltdown while I can still do something about it. So this is the start of a wonderful new world - I'm no longer *obliged* to offend people! I will apologize to my friend and promise ... what?

When my head spins, I have only an instant to grab that it's a meltdown, before it carries me away. If I do manage to grasp what's happening, what should I do? The meltdown will proceed anyway. We're in my apartment. Should I say, "Go home?" Is there a sign I could make?

If it has happened before around friends, just let them know you need to be alone for a bit. If you can, just lock yourself in your room for a while. That's worked for me a few times. If they act offended by it, try talking with them about it once you're through it, if that's possible.

If a sign works, use a sign. It doesn't matter how you let them know that you need some time alone, just that you manage to do it. If a friend can't appreciate that you're doing it for everyone's benefit, well, that's another problem altogether.

Dance. I find techno or middle eastern winds helpful...

Accept your a freak, no offense intended.

Giving random hugs to total strangers

Seriously though....I dance, let the body move, even if it's only in my head or in small nuiances of movement of the body. I take the flow of life from within me and CALM MYSELF through the dance of the cells through music.

but, I am a freak who has accepted myself.

I also find a punching bag helpful, running in dire circumstance, whistleing new songs, humming.

Thank you! I'm new to this. This is a very good friend, very supportive and understanding. But I didn't understand about me and meltdowns until yesterday, so she wouldn't either.

Any specific ideas on how to signal "meltdown, as discussed, need to be alone"? I'm going to talk to my friend, explain the thing. She's very obliging, there won't be any trouble with it. I want something that's simple, fast, and friendly. Wave bye-bye?

I'm probably making a big deal out of this. I'm a rookie.

Well, as long as you can talk with her before it happens again, you could even discuss with her what a good way to let her know would be. Or simply saying that if you "act weird," or just disappear with no explanation, that's likely the reason. Don't worry about it being courteous, or friendly, or anything like that. Once you've talked with her about it, she should appreciate that this isn't something that you will always be able to take time to handle in the most "considerate" way. Letting her know at all is considerate.

Say it like it is in advance.

The only barrier to your dealing with a meltdown 'privately' is other people. But since there are other people and you are not what comprises your meltdowns, let them know in advance. They likely have already been on the recieving end of your mood swings. It will help them to know what they are so they can take their own soul saving defensive measure.

I start mine like this, "so and so, I am having a really bad day (that's when he takes off-years and we have this down), it's not you, but I am warning you, run"



Once I am 'left alone' long enough to address the underlying issue(in my head) then I am able to resolve the results of the flare. (in my body)

Its all about health. We can't make all of the stimulus go away. We can recognize it's effects on our body systems and take self defensive measures.

Or you can just get on drugs, which is alot of people's only option.

A person, if they loved you, would understand this, once they understand they are in no way a source or a target, but instead a casualty dependant on their actions in the situation.

My friends know I can get a little wacky sometimes. I have advised them when I get that way I need to take a break and get a snack. Which for some odd reasons works for me.

The one thing I've noticed is they recognize it before I do. I'd advise your friend that when you get like that you need a few minutes alone etc what ever works for you. You'll probably find your friend picking up on it before you do.