Can outbursts kill you?

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I had an outburst this morning, and what triggered it off made me get really angry with myself and hating myself so I slapped my head with the palms of my hands about 20 times at once, and since then I've had a splitting headache and when I lay down I get a sharp pain in my forehead.

I am now worrying in case that outburst will kill me, by causing me damage to my head from all the slapping myself in the head, and also my blood pressure temporarily rising up. Has anyone here ever heard of an Aspie dying from a brain hemorrhage caused by physical self beating? Has anyone here done worse than just slapping themselves, like literally banging your head really hard against a wall? I'm so worried that I've done myself permanent damage now.

If you are concerned, or you are displaying serious symptoms, seek medical attention immediately!! ! I haven't heard of aspie deaths in this form, but I think it is possible to kill oneself during these episodes, because when I have one, I sometimes smash my fists into walls, but not my head.
And also, if the doctor asks you why, do not hesitate to tell him or her your outburst.

Joe--if you're showing any of these symptoms, get yourself to the emergency room:

--Any loss of consiousness, even only for a few seconds.
--Dizziness, faintness, loss of balance.
--Weakness or numbness anywhere on your body
--Lots of "floaters" in your eyes (this is a sign of damage to the retina)
--Being unusually tired, unable to keep your eyes open
--Severe headache, like so bad it makes you want to cry
--A nosebleed that won't stop; or a swollen nose (signs of a broken/damaged nose)
--Disturbance in any of your senses, like you can't hear as well or see as well

If you got any of that stuff, you could have injured yourself and you need to get to the hospital. Don't drive yourself--someone with a concussion isn't safe to drive. Just call an ambulance or get a family member to take you.

Concussions usually mean that they check you over to be sure you are OK and maybe keep you there for a while to watch and make sure you are going to heal up on your own.

I don't think it's possible to cause a brain hemorrhage by slapping yourself, but it's possible that you could give yourself a concussion by banging your head. I knowthat some of the most severely autistic people in the world died from self inflicted brain damage.

Concussions, yes; detached retinas, yes. Never heard of anyone actually killing themselves, though. Most people who head-bang that severely have protection in place to stop them from doing it, like wearing a helmet and/or keeping an aide around to make sure they don't hurt themselves beyond the occasional goose egg.

I've heard of people getting brain damage from being professional boxers or football players. I guess that autistics who have a habit of banging their heads on things might have the same problem.

The skull is actually pretty well protected in the front, where most people bang their heads. So you can take a pretty big pounding before you actually injure your brain. One outburst is unlikely to hurt you. However, please do take precautions so that you are less likely to hurt yourself in the future.

Joe, aside from Callista's excellent advice, if you find yourself unable to cope with the anxiety this is causing, it's probably a good idea to see a doctor or go to A&E.

And if you do go, emphasize the pain and possibility of concussion and don't make a big deal about the anxiety. From experience, many medical professionals tend to minimize problems if anxiety comes up (at least they do with me).

I don't bang my head against things, I just slapped my hands on the sides of my head and the tops of my face, not touching my ears or nose. But ever since, I've been having small headaches in different parts of my head, and I'm hoping it's just from emotional anger.

I'd better go up the doctors anyways, although I get so embarrassed telling them that I'm slapping myself in the head from outbursts, because I would be acting all normal and like there's nothing wrong with me, and it would be hard for the doctor to imagine me doing such crazy things. So I might get a relative to come with me because I feel better if somebody else tells them about my outbursts, even when I'm sitting there in front of the doctor. To me it's easier.

--Any loss of consiousness, even only for a few seconds.
After the outburst I went out to the town (because I had to go to jobcentre) and I didn't feel dazed or had any other forms of loss of consciousness.

--Dizziness, faintness, loss of balance.
Um, not today, but I do get this a lot, but I know it's because of my sinuses and ears. I've always had poor balance and suffered dizziness, so this is normal for me.

--Weakness or numbness anywhere on your body
Not that I know of at the moment

--Lots of "floaters" in your eyes (this is a sign of damage to the retina)
I've had this before but not a lot, and I haven't had it lately for the last year or so

--Being unusually tired, unable to keep your eyes open
I've felt tired ever since the outburst, but outbursts always make me feel tired. Also going to busy public places do too, so that certainly explains a lot today.

--Severe headache, like so bad it makes you want to cry
I've had little headahces on and off since, but not really severe.

--A nosebleed that won't stop; or a swollen nose (signs of a broken/damaged nose)
I haven't had any nosebleeds today

--Disturbance in any of your senses, like you can't hear as well or see as well
I am a bit deafer than usual, but that's been going on since Sunday, and I have been coming down with an ear infection. My sight is still OK

So hopefully there is nothing to worry about. I'm sure people can't die that easily from slapping themselves a few times in the head, otherwise thousands of people (including people on the Autistic spectrum) would be dying every day - because I'm sure NTs slap themselves in the face at times in their lives too, perhaps from an argument or a nervous breakdown or poor self-esteem, etc.

They don't happen that way very often but I have done the same, had the same after effects and as far as I know (pinches self to check....ouch yes) I am still alive!

Only happens when I am really really upset about something and can't find anyone who understands though. Mostly it is born of frustration.

I never do them in front of anyone though as I like to appear as normal as I can (mostly due to the fact I don't want them throwing more support workers etc on me...I value my independence thanks). Plus I can feel it coming on and flee to somewhere private before it happens. As a child I was not so fussy about where I had my little tantrums but age and experience has taught me to spot them as they are starting and get the hell out of there so no one sees it. They have also grown somewhat tamer as I have grown older. Mostly they result in my ranting or screaming at myself until I exhaust but occasionally I can still wallop myself or break things.

People already think I am weird enough because I wear the same coat all the time, am always in my comfy pyjamas because they are comfy (rather than because I am depressed), keep my curtains drawn due to sunlight sensitivity, talk to myself and am very elusive (don't socialise much) and so on. I don't need to add fuel to the fire, the neighbours gossip about me as it is lol

After the doctor's visit just rest, rest in a low lit room. I'm only aware of light sensitive headaches/migraines which I get a lot. I think I have had minor headaches from hitting my head, clumsily, on things. When I meltdown I tend to pound my head with my fists very slowly and softly. I only do it for a short while and it makes me feel better.

The only time I felt like I would die is when my head felt like it was tearing from a seizure. Actually, I felt like I was going to die many times. I'm still here to tell the tale.

i never get things like that happening.

i get a bad enough headache from the crazy thought process i have, i get migraines just being thinking to much.

the only real compulsion i have is tearing layers of skin off my lip.

Yeah, you sound like you are physically okay. But, really, this is an issue that you need to find a way to deal with--a way to protect yourself, minimize the impact of those meltdowns. Whether that means learning how to prevent meltdowns, redirecting to something less damaging, or just physically protecting your head in some way, it's important to find a solution that works for you.

By the way, as someone who is also prone to self-injury, I should note that many NTs, including NT doctors and nurses, will overreact to the fact that you injure yourself. They will often take it to be a more severe problem than it actually is.

So, things to remember:
1. NTs will act like you are having more severe problems than you actually are, which may result in them prescribing more drastic treatments than are warranted (for example, trying to put you on major tranquilizers or hospitalize you when you are not in any immediate danger).
2. Self-injury is often seen as a sign that you are "out of control" or "a danger to yourself". This is often not true. If the injury you are causing is minor and unlikely to accidentally become major, then this is not something that counts as an immediate threat to your life.
3. You may be encouraged to see this as a sign that you are extremely sick, and this may tempt you to come to the belief that you have no power over your own problems, or that they are not solvable. This is not true. You are, as you have always been, the person making the decisions for yourself. Having a tendency to self-injure does not change that.

The medical system is there for you to use, to take advantage of to deal with the problems you are having. Most of the time, it is very useful. Just remember that many NT doctors are a little bit frightened by self-injury, and that you will have to be patient with them to make sure they understand your situation fully.

It's usually repetitive injury you have to worry about with meltdown stuff (unless you have the grab anything sharp and slice yourself, type; you can see how that can turn bad quickly). That's why if you're a chronic headbanger or puncher/slapper, it's time to pull out the helmet.

I'm sure you could kill yourself with a hard enough blow, but you usually have to put thought into that, which a meltdown lacks.