help coping with meltdowns

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hi, sometimes when I am overloaded, very stressed or overwhelmed by noise and light, I seem to lose the plot and be swallowed by random strange and seemingly unconnected emotions. it feels like I am feeling lots of different emotions all at the same time, which can make it very difficult to function and maintain any dignity. What are peoples experiences like with meltdowns and how do you cope?

You did a good job describing a meltdown from what I have experienced.
When I feel the world starting to churn into a vortex of colors without context and emotions without labels, I have to escape. There is no other option. And it will feel like the chaos is chasing me! I have to find a dark room or closet with no light. I go inside and sit in a tight ball, cover my ears, rock back and forth, and focus on taking deep breaths. I sitt there until all the chemicals and hot stuff that was inside my blood finally lowers and goes away. My aspie therapist said I was feeling the adrinaline. I hate that feeling.

I strongly relate to your experience. I think the euphemism "in the closet" is a literal one for aspies. I am very happy that I found this site and now have people that I can genuinely relate to. By the way, your prose is hypnotically beautiful. Do you write?

Earplugs are good
Being with someone who understands and softens whatever is the problem will help if you can find such a person
Being alone and stimming, but if you catch yourself in time, exercise might work

I am also glad I found this site. I have been on another supportboard for many years for the PTSD, but they do not have a large response group for AS. You are right, it is validating to finally have others who understand certain things.

Thank you for the complament. I do enjoy writing, but the dyslexia makes it a challenge.
i am working on a book right now. It is one of my favorite "head stories" i have been following since I was a teen. My therapist challenged me to put it into words. I have 65000 words so far.

You have PTSD? That is so relieving to hear. Well I mean of course I would never wish that on you but it's nice to hear from someone else who has Asperger's. I suffer from panic disorder and at night I get so panicky about just everything! And my therapist doesn't seem to understand. They keep trying to tell me how to "cure" it but I have tried those things and it doesn't work but they say "Oh do it again". I finally went to an AS therapist and I felt so good about what he was saying.....and then at the end of the visit he goes and tells me he's going to send me to someone else. Ugh! I'm so frustrated! I just want to be better.

My meltdowns involve crying, screaming, head-banging and hitting myself, and throwing/breaking things. I have no ability to cope with them at all, so i do my best to cope with the things that cause them instead.

I was in therapy with a non AS therapist for three years after a massive meltdown. I did the same thing with hating myself because while we were making progress, there was this invisable wall I could not get through withsensory issues and social stuff. That was the reason I decided to pursue an official dx telling me yes or no for the AS portion.

When it came back as a deffinite DX my entire way of seeing my life transformed. I finally understood that all the grounding tools in the world would not help block out ten people talking at the same time. But it does help if I have a flashback.

My AS therapist told me that he found it common for people on the spectrum to have PTSD if they were vulnerable to abuse due to AS traits such as not understanding when an adult told the child to do something that wasimmoral and the child trusted the adult. It really had to be a pet watersnake afterall... right?

Anyway, yeah... it helps knowing what is going on inside ourselves.
the right tool for the right job

^Sorry about your experiences. I also have ptsd, this feels like playing snap. I would love to hear some more about your writing sometime feel free to pm me about it. I have been trying to work up the nerve to start on a novella for awhile now. I think i really need to get to know more about aspergers i have had dx for a few years now but have never really looked into coping strategies. . can anyone recommend a good book or experiences that might help. I really appreciate everyones feedback

I think I know how that feels....the random and strange unconnected emotions, I mean. It usually helps me if I have a "safe haven" to go to...in most cases, it's usually my dorm room. I have my side of the room decorated how I like it - plushies, soft blankets and pillows, Cars 2 and Where the Wild Things Are stickers.

The way AspieTurtle described the adrenaline rush is perfect.

I used to have a hard time coping with meltdowns--I would go into "shutdown" mode and essentially come across as aloof or numb.

Escaping the situation is generally a good way to cope. Put yourself physically or mentally in a comforting place and focus on that with deep breaths. Stimming helps me as well because I cannot physicallly escape an over-stimulating situation at work, so I would start twirling my hair or wringing my hands and take deep breaths while focusing on the physical sensation the stims provide.

Learning more about Asperger's will probably help you, too. A lot of books will provide examples of people's experiences and how they cope and you may come across a coping strategy that sounds right to you.