is there a way to stop a meltdown?

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I need some advice.

I recently found out a family member has said a bunch of nasty s**t on Facebook about my son, and now it has me in the middle meltdown. Does anybody have any tips or advice on how I can get myself out of this rage with out blowing up and destroying stuff?

[Edited for pointlessness and lack of reading comprehension!]

Before I learned to manage better, I used to hit/kick holes in hollow doors, bang my head against the wall behind me, or damage drywall across from me with my heels. I commonly sought refuge in tight spaces, such as in my closet.

Try to be in a safe space where you don't need to be concerned with others' observations. If I come too close to the brink of a meltdown, though, I have found that it is better to let it run its course in a safe space, regardless of how scary/overwhelming it might be. If I try to suppress it, I have found that it only resurfaces later. I understand not wanting to destroy stuff, but the feeling of destruction can be achieved in a healthy, planned out way. During a calm moment of the day, designate a "punching bag." It doesn't need to literally be a punching bag, but the goal is to have something on which to take out the frustration without harming yourself, someone else, or something you would rather not be damaged. For me, it was recently a log in the backyard with a stone candlestick. The log and I came out no worse for wear, but I cannot say the same for the candlestick. I do not mourn its demise, as its breakage served its purpose, and it was not highly valuable emotionally or monetarily. The goal is to express the emotion without chucking the first thing within reach (which, nowadays, is usually a relatively expensive electronic device).

If it hasn't taken over completely, I find water to be soothing: drinking, bathing, or even just putting my hands under the running water in the sink can help calm me. It can also help to practice breathing techniques for mindfulness. Program your brain with music you find to be calming or comforting during the breathing exercises. Playing this music if you start to feel overloaded can help remind you to do the breathing exercises without stressing yourself further.

I know not everyone is the same, but hopefully one or two things that have worked for me can help you. As for Facebook, I don't have a lot of useful advice, but I have observed that people use it to mask their own issues with life. Unfortunately, people often allow their issues to hurt others, too. My solution to the social anxiety it creates is to avoid it entirely, but I recognize that may not work for everyone. Good luck, and I hope you can find balance and peace soon.

I always want to break things. I've punched holes in the wall too, dont want to do that. I've been wanting to punch a mirror an d going to taekwondo was great because there were punching bacgs, a lot of sweat, and breaking boards. Exercise really helps me channel all that energy.

When I was bicycle commuting, I would often chase down inconsiderate drivers and shout at them while they waited for a green light, describing the difficulties they would be in if my carcass were wound around their wheels. I'd make it as gory as possible, and keeping an eye on the caution light, finish off with "And that's not to mention the PAPERWORK!" I always felt calm afterwards.
The general advice here is to burn off the adrenalin. For me, the chase was the most therapeutic part. Exhaust yourself, with an image of winning a struggle, perhaps a return to sane ground.

Trouble getting the thoughts to stop sounds like a kind of perseveration. I have this kind of thinking in circles quite often, which can be about just about anything that makes me anxious. Conflicts or thinking that I failed at something quite often cause it, and it can sometimes be about something from a long time ago which was never resolved, or which I think I could have handled better, sometimes escalating to the point that it's as intense as if it happened only moments ago. I stim and pace around like crazy when it's happening, too.

I wonder if that sounds familiar, though I must admit, I haven't found a reliable way to control it myself other than giving my mind something else to focus on (or the aforementioned letting off of steam.)

Meltdowns are a very personal experience and require personal interventions, so basically try everything untill something works

i try and find my "rumbling points" and intervene there

here a liist of things of things i do which help sometimes
- swinging in a hammock
-punching walls
- biting myself
- smashing my hand with a hammer
- headbanging
-screaming

i know these things are still technically a meltdown but it helps me from braking my personal objects or hurting people around me. and its never a sure thing.


try excersizing, just burn that excess energy without hurting or breaking things

It can sometimes help me to run. I grab my shoes and just spurt for as long as I can (which can be pretty long in that state). It's a good way to let the energy out. However, sometimes it backfires. It can happen that the meltdown gets even worse once I can't run any longer. It's as if when the body is all out of energy, there's nothing stopping the brain from getting "loose". It happens like 1/5 times, but at least it keeps me from doing something stupid those 4 other times so I keep at it.

my therapist gave me a tip
when you start feeling overwhelmed
count from 200, backwards, by 3s.
so 200, 197, 194, etc.

this takes your mind off it and calms you down.
it's a good one to do once a day to get into the habit.
i find it helpful to calm down before the meltdown comes over like a wave.

Tell yourself you’re still going to survive and take a deep breath. Easier said than done but self talk takes practice. It becomes second nature after a few years.