Handling Autistic Meltdowns as an Adult

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  • Опубликовано: 29 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 96

  • @emilyroberts3832
    @emilyroberts3832 7 лет назад +53

    I have a meltdown about once a month, usually because I’m overwhelmed, afraid, angry or just generally upset. My occupational therapist told me my meltdowns are quite severe for someone of my functioning level. I will bang my head on hard surfaces, scratch and bite myself, scream, and sometimes run away. The only thing that helps me calm down is restraint and deep pressure, which I get from my friends at work, which is where most of my meltdowns happen. I can’t talk for a while afterwards, and have to use the AAC app on my tablet. In this post-meltdown state, my senses are even more sensitive than usual, and little things can set me off and re trigger the meltdown. It’s times like that when I wish I weren’t autistic.

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  7 лет назад +5

      i felt like i couldve wrote this myself. i hope it gets better for you!

    • @auburneytuckerson2959
      @auburneytuckerson2959 6 лет назад

      Emily Roberts Same for me. Except I end up having meltdowns BECAUSE of my senses being so high. I end up with silent screams and grabbing my ears in my room because of roaring trucks outside or loud noises from somewhere inside the house bothering me. I really chat stand high noises or rumbling like thunder or screaming children. Whistles and screaming children are the worst! I had trouble with heaf banging back in 8th grade before I got earplugs. That was pretty much the only self-harm thing. When I was little, it was cause I was frustrated cause I couldn't speak. Other than that, I haven't had any self-harm. Last night I was having a meltdown to the point I was crying (this isn't the first time) because the loudest thunderstorm happened last night, and I couldn't stand the loud rumbling and clap of the thunder. I'm praying another storm doesn't happen today.. I just don't have a therapist or psychiatrist or service dog to help. I have nothing to help.

    • @magsdoesnotknow
      @magsdoesnotknow 6 лет назад

      You might consider a service dog, they can be trained to do deep pressure and even alert you when you first start heading towards a meltdown (and lots of other things)

    • @ozziefan1984
      @ozziefan1984 5 лет назад

      I totally get that I have a huge problem too I melt down bad for my level and age

    • @DogLover1718
      @DogLover1718 4 года назад

      Do you have fidget toys they might help you

  • @jaigreydowsett9630
    @jaigreydowsett9630 7 лет назад +18

    I hate meltdowns . The complete loss of control over my body and the fact I cannot communicate propel ally dying these times is soooo frustrating and often makes it worse . I am so out of control in that time that I am a danger to everyone and it's scary .

  • @brookelynrhodes1998
    @brookelynrhodes1998 6 лет назад +7

    I have really bad meltdowns despite being mildly Autistic. I had the worst meltdown I had in a long time on the plane (yes you heard it right, on a fricking plane) and I was ashamed after. The trigger was because my parents wanted to look at the pictures I took while in Europe (we were flying home) and I didn't want them to but I did but I just lost it. In fact, I tried very hard to control it until I hit myself lightly on my leg and got scolded, well I screamed (I was trying to hold it in) and immediately got scolded because if I had an outburst like that, I could get kicked off the plane. Because I wasn't able to do what I usually do during one so I suffered in silence and I was crying silently. This lasted an hour and a half until we landed. I think it was because we were just done of being on the plane after 13 long hours and stress is usually the cause of mine. Besides, I had a long week in Europe and was jet lagged the whole time. The point is, I hate meltdowns. Like everyone else in the ASD community, meltdowns are the #1 thing I hate about my Autism. I call my ASD a gift yet a curse at the same time because of what I go through. Life is tough with ASD but there's some good things that come with it too.

  • @HarrietFitzgerald580
    @HarrietFitzgerald580 5 лет назад +4

    Remembering to be kind to ourselves, someone I definitely struggle with, especially as an undiagnosed adult. I tend to feel stupid and childish.

  • @sunshinemand
    @sunshinemand 5 лет назад +4

    Your dog is gorgeous, he's like a miniature Falkor!

  • @otaman
    @otaman 5 лет назад +7

    I think I might be autistic. One day I had so much to do, I was really tired, and then my parents wanted to prepare me for an interview, and I asked for some time to be alone and relax but they said no. I then just started crying and yelling at everybody and they gave me 10 minutes to calm down, but I just kept rocking and even though I was listening to music in a dark room, I still couldn't calm down for about another 40 minutes. Is that considered a meltdown?

  • @user-scorpiara
    @user-scorpiara 6 лет назад +3

    I have higher frequency when I've got busy schedule and a deadline looming IE my dissertation. I've even been having meltdowns on trains and at an NAS conference, I'm sure I'll be remembered unfortunately. Just alone time... Can't really try much else. Nibbles, an episode of friends , a kind face , and be nice to yourself 😊

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  6 лет назад

      Perfect advice Elizabeth! my meltdowns have been horrendous lately, they make me feel so guilty to the people that need to deal with them.

  • @davidrosenman29
    @davidrosenman29 4 года назад +1

    Before I get started with this long comment, I just want to say that you're a beautiful, young lady and do not let this struggle define you. Until I went to a NAMI Peer-to-Peer class at age 38, I believed that my autism and meltdowns were totally my fault and I couldn't handle life like 'everyone else". People with autism and other mental health conditions are wired differently overall than those without and people with autism were born with it. Your difficulties are NOT your fault. I had a mini-meltdown today because the water stopped working at my apartment for a little bit and maintainence is not open on New Year's Day. That and the prospect of having to call someone on the phone or knock on a door to get more information (yikes!)...protecting my "persona" of being someone that never bothers anybody and social anxiety/ autism is a real hinderance to dealing with problems and I have it. Ultimately, I knocked on the property manager's door to find out that a city water pump had burst and workers were on the scene and that was done. It brought more to light what I already knew: I'm an adult with mild autism that has meltdowns in situations that are in the "nuisance/"in the way" but not tragic" category more often than others. I'm able to use some reasoning skills like "the power's still on so it isn't that" or "it's not cold out so it's not the pipes freezing" but the meltdown phase just seems to harass me to no end. When I get close to or have a meltdown, going home or getting to a place with low stimulation is priority number one for me. I'm basicly like a glass full of water, in those situations, and I need to get away from faucets, rain, or any other sources of falling water because I can't take on any more at that time- DEFINITION OF SENSORY OVERLOAD AND OVERSTIMULATION.

  • @TheWackoGreenAlien
    @TheWackoGreenAlien 7 лет назад +13

    I just started Year 10 and Im on a waiting list for an assessment so I cant get help at school and Its SO HARD and I will have mini meltdowns throughout the day and then when I get home I shut myself in my room and have a big meltdown and cry and hyperventalate and Its horrible and after I have to try to copy up my notes and do my homework but If I dont understand the homework I will have another meltdown because I dont understand and I cant handle not understanding and It just frustrates me and makes me so angry

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  7 лет назад +3

      I'm so sorry it's so hard for you :( I completely understand!

    • @imogensyms7164
      @imogensyms7164 7 лет назад +2

      The Wacko Green alien I do the same thing and I also have panic attacks when teachers talk to me

    • @otaku5869
      @otaku5869 7 лет назад +2

      The Wacko Green Alien 1212 I’ve went through the same thing so I totally understand. I still get really frustrated when I can’t understand something, but I just gotta keep trying until I get it. Watching RUclips videos explaining the topic really helps. Also whenever you try to feel overwhelmed in school, go have some alone time in the bathroom and do whatever you have to to stay calm. I used to try and hold myself as much as I can and then when I can’t take anymore of school and everything, I go to the bathroom and cry. Sometimes I cry sometimes it’s pretty bad and I hurt myself a bit, mostly though I just need the alone time. My teachers usually don’t say anything when I’m late cuz they can see my eyes are red from crying. Reading a book also helps me avoid stressful social situations. Hope these could help you too.

  • @stimwise8287
    @stimwise8287 7 лет назад +6

    Great video! You are very brave for talking about this. I admire you!!

  • @NotSoNeurotypical
    @NotSoNeurotypical 7 лет назад +13

    I'm sorry you've been having a bad time :( I've been having the exact same recently with the outburst and anger.

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  7 лет назад +3

      The anger outbursts are really getting to me :( I have no idea how to stop them

    • @NotSoNeurotypical
      @NotSoNeurotypical 7 лет назад +4

      me neither my anger is getting allot worse and i cant control it anymore and my sensory sensitivities are getting worse too :(

    • @MissJuneBennett
      @MissJuneBennett 7 лет назад +1

      Have always been told that anger is a sign of depression but don't know if this is true. Is anything making you depressed? Something so much that you are keeping it "bottled up" and it comes out like a volcano in the form of a meltdown? Do you see what I am saying?

    • @auburneytuckerson2959
      @auburneytuckerson2959 6 лет назад

      I have anger AND depression. Middle and High school was very hard for me because of my sensitive hearing and my outbursts. School was a place of torture for me because of my sensory problems, and I HATED being around people for it. Before I started driving, I had meltdowns on the bus a.k.a. the torture trap because of the loud screaming kids and the high-pitched brakes, and this is for my sophomore and junior years of high school. I was relieved to finally be driving during my senior year. Now I'm getting ready for college, and I'm hoping the other students don't torture me with noise like in high and middle school...

    • @lozj2900
      @lozj2900 3 года назад

      I’ve noticed, I get angry or really frustrated when people are in my space. I have crying outburst when I don’t understand etc.. there must be triggers?

  • @ferret1337
    @ferret1337 6 лет назад +3

    I tend to struggle very hard with my symptoms, I am high functioning and can tolerate change to a degree but i cant handle things like having someone play guitar with the TV on while i'm trying to talk to someone i just get this indescribable feeling like my head is resonating, or if i loose something and cant track it, or if i cant find something because its been stowed away by someone else... I hate and resent myself for being this way. every time i go through this i feel so utterly humiliated which triggers me worse. i've been through 40 different meds to treat depression none of them worked. ive been through years of therapy
    finally this last year i got my diagnosis as HFASD and while it makes sense i know absolutely nothing about it other then it means i get explosive and I'm a horrible monster every time I loose my wallet or have to find a phone number.
    I'm like a walking bomb :( i'm never sure how i get my scratch marks, outside of that ive recently injured both my shoulders and my jaw in a fit. I feel less horrible about myself now.

  • @_Dust
    @_Dust 4 года назад +1

    i like to tell myself, during the whole ordeal, i imagine a glass of water as some kind of grounding point, as to say maybe i just need a glass of water as an underlying distraction.. really im just going thought he motions but iv somehow convinced myself that about a glass of water... oh the amount if time's when im just spent after the fact moping my way to the kitchen to have the most depressing glass of water ever. but just clinging on to the fact of the "glass of water" is enough of some type of grounding point that it help's a little... doesn't stop it, its just nice to have a reference point or ground point.... its liking being drunk and the room's spinning so you focus on a fixed point. works the same way but it's in your mind's eye.

  • @gonnfishy2987
    @gonnfishy2987 3 года назад

    you have much the same plan as i do. i have nothing to add. IT ALWAYS starts with a: remove yourself from the situation. i had an overload/shutdown at xmas lunch so i disappeared and lay on a rug upstairs with my earplugs in, my eyes covered and just stimmed. an hour later i was drained but able to get on with leaving to go home.

  • @kayazzara108
    @kayazzara108 4 года назад

    Your dog looked like he was trying to figure out who you were talking to, then gave up. Soooooo cute! Try to have fun on your trip!🐶

  • @Trentonpage
    @Trentonpage 5 лет назад +1

    I have them quite frequently.
    I dint notice them as much as my friends, relatives, and people I work with

    • @GuacamoleKun
      @GuacamoleKun 4 года назад

      This is so funny to me, because yeah. When I was a kid I didn't realize it was a big deal, or something that was different or strange. I would have a meltdown and the next day I would have forgotten, but everyone else would definitely remember. I only realized very recently that this was probably part of the reason I had no friends for so long. It never occurred to me that the other kids in class would be disturbed by me flipping my shit. Luckily for me I haven't had meltdowns since I was about 13.

  • @lozj2900
    @lozj2900 3 года назад

    I still don’t know how to help myself through meltdowns 🙁 I have a chewy gem (mainly for shouting).
    I’ve found, that I struggle to speak and don’t know whether to get an AAC device. I have a social worker but like you said, when your having outbursts or meltdowns continuously. It’s so draining 😪

  • @RubyBetsyAndMiloToo
    @RubyBetsyAndMiloToo 6 лет назад +3

    You are fab at explaining this stuff! :) I'm loving your channel x

  • @dannybailey282
    @dannybailey282 6 лет назад +11

    Love the video, just couldn't stop staring at the cute dog.xp

  • @KEVIN1965ish
    @KEVIN1965ish 5 лет назад +1

    As an adult, I have ruined two expensive stereos by throwing them at walls and very badly damaged a door during a few of my meltdowns I am in my mid-fifties......

  • @imogensyms7164
    @imogensyms7164 7 лет назад +6

    This has really helped me with dealing with my autistic sister and I am also slightly autistic so yeah this really helped thank you

  • @mooncove
    @mooncove 2 года назад

    The TV in the background of this video is giving me a meltdown!

  • @HarrietFitzgerald580
    @HarrietFitzgerald580 5 лет назад +1

    I was assessed earlier this year, rather poorly and quickly dismissed. Because I had researched autism so much they suggested that I may have convinced myself that I have autism and that I faked the test results, which I scored extremely high on. I have meltdowns. As a teen I self harmed, but I haven't done that in years. My body has reverted back to childhood meltdowns of screaming and hitting myself. Again this was dismissed. It's so hard because I am currently in a high stress place in my life and experience meltdowns often. It's painful, as I hit myself. I need help. They wouldn't believe me or help me. That hurts.

    • @B33st1ng
      @B33st1ng 5 лет назад +1

      They have to assess you based on your past experiences too to make sure it is Asd and have perspectives of relatives of friends. x

    • @HarrietFitzgerald580
      @HarrietFitzgerald580 5 лет назад

      B33st1ng I agree however they did not. I imagine that's what the neuropsychologist would have done had I been granted access to that service. I was denied access as the resident who assessed me did not feel I met the criteria of asd, atleast not to a degree that would warrant any further investigation. It was very sloppy, in my opinion.

    • @B33st1ng
      @B33st1ng 5 лет назад +1

      @@HarrietFitzgerald580 it sounds like a very sloppy process.
      With my diagnosis I talked to a specialist nurse mostly, she talked to my mum, I brought in my old primary school reports that explained how I was as a child in school. I saw her about 2 or 3 times by herself then once with a man, I think he was a trainee.
      What you went through sounds like they weren't professional at all. If you do get your diagnosis that could probably be classed as discrimination.

    • @HarrietFitzgerald580
      @HarrietFitzgerald580 5 лет назад +2

      B33st1ng I actually met with a nurse who had my fill out questionnaires, but she admitted that she knew next to nothing about autism and so couldn't really form an opinion. Then I met with the resident who spoke to me for an hour, disregarded the results of the questionnaires and told me its not asd or if I am perhaps on the spectrum it presents do mildly that it warrants no further attention. The psychiatrist who never met me, agreed with his assessment, since he was a last year resident. The psychiatrist was not nice of professional with me at all, meeting me all but 10 minutes. I actually filed a complaint about all this, but the person who reviews the complaints sided with the psychiatrist, stating they are the experts and therefore know more than me about autism and whether or not I have it.

    • @B33st1ng
      @B33st1ng 5 лет назад

      @@HarrietFitzgerald580 autistic females do something called 'masking', which it sounds like they would obviously not know what it is 😂
      That nurse shouldn't be the one to help you with an autism diagnosis if she knows nothing about it, what even.

  • @alaah4183
    @alaah4183 4 года назад

    Thank you for the video, i’m not diagnosed yet. I have anxiety and OCD (diagnosed). I think i have SPD and ASD. I always have been angry and aggressive, but thinking back maybe they were always because of sensory overload. As an adult i’m trying to better myself and avoid getting angry at others, so I try to remove myself from the situation that gives me hard time (ex. someone chewing loudly)

  • @happysyngapian549
    @happysyngapian549 5 лет назад

    My daughters meltdowns are hard to be honest, I hate watching her be so frustrated biting and hitting herself. Due to the fact that she is none verbal I don’t know what may have triggered her I can only guess. Her dad (who we don’t see at the moment) believes it’s her being a brat or wingeing. It’s sad but one day he will understand! You go girl you can do it and thanks for the tips!

  • @beyourself4996
    @beyourself4996 6 лет назад +4

    I have issues I can’t handle my meltdown when I am stressed this happens to me .

  • @libbycastle1884
    @libbycastle1884 5 лет назад

    I have very bad meltdowns at school and I got suspended for a day twice because my school doesn’t understand. I got a chewigem and a chew buddy and I really like. When I have a meltdown I don’t talk and my school are always saying “you need to talk otherwise we can’t help you”. I haven’t got an diagnosis of autism yet but we are on the list. I had a small meltdown last September when we where about to board the plane lol but I was okay after :)

  • @youtuberschannel12
    @youtuberschannel12 5 лет назад +1

    Your doggy likes to be in camera. He seems to know that he's on camera cause he keeps squeezing in to get the shot lol. So cute. I spend more time looking at him than on you.

  • @elamriti
    @elamriti 6 лет назад +1

    change of plans i hate that also change of people when you have a appointment with someone but someone else shows up i cant deal with that , opening a door in a private setting dont like that .people touching me dont like that can get very upset , i try to stay away from sugar food it makes it wors my brain is going 10000 miles per hour

  • @breeze5926
    @breeze5926 4 года назад

    Apparently the only thing that helps me get out of a meltdown once its started is pain. Im not sure why. Blunt pain is momentary relief, but scratching, specifically the painful after warmth of scratching makes the mental buzzing dissipate and stay gone.

  • @rosevampire3755
    @rosevampire3755 6 лет назад +2

    I think I may be autistic but I haven’t being diagnosed however my family is taking steps to have me assessed and sometimes If I’m about to breakdown and I hold it in my voice literally stops working and it’s really scary.

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  6 лет назад

      im glad your family are taking steps to help

  • @melb7974
    @melb7974 7 лет назад +4

    I like this video im severly autistic have meltdowns sometimes and it very hard to calm down

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  7 лет назад

      definitely, meltdowns are so hard!

    • @auburneytuckerson2959
      @auburneytuckerson2959 6 лет назад

      Yeah, especially when people on public (at school) see mino meltdowns and ask if I'm okay. I tell them I'm fine and keep my sensitive hearing a secret because people who try to bully me with loud noises will get seriously hurt. People took advantage of my sensory issues for fun. This is WAAAY before I learned I had autism. I learned that I had autism only about a month or two ago.

    • @warrior4him2.07
      @warrior4him2.07 4 года назад

      @@auburneytuckerson2959 So sorry people were so hurtful!

  • @smallcinema2010
    @smallcinema2010 6 лет назад +1

    I bite my fingers too! I bought some chewers some weeks ago but i didn't know this was related to ASD too.

  • @mercer-tk7cu
    @mercer-tk7cu 5 лет назад

    I know it sounds stupid but because in the past when I've had meltdowns, especially in public, I try to go somewhere private and try and cry it out as a way of like blocking the urge to scream or to get over stimulated to make the meltdown worse.

  • @artisticafflair408
    @artisticafflair408 4 года назад

    Stress . I have just found out im autistic, I'm 29 now. I really need to know what's out there to help calm me down before I yell and scream . Feeling like I have to do too much. I want to go for my morning walks but at the same time I still have to yell to get my fiancée up for work and instantly yelling triggers my meltdowns. It's not easy for him nor me and then I have stress of an uncertain future with work etc. I find being an adult with autism bloody hard. More is expected of you and it's very stressful and overwhelming. It can be too much to control and ultimately the meltdowns start. I want my fiancé and me to have a happy future together, I worry my meltdowns are going to make him really unhappy and put strain on us. I don't want to put him through my meltdowns. How do you calm before you meltdown?

  • @aaronraines2310
    @aaronraines2310 6 лет назад +5

    Use AAC can't talk at meltdown. Can't think. Just rock. Need music sometimes or quiet or walk or move. Sometimes I hit my head but not suppose to.

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  6 лет назад

      Aaron Raines yup that’s me too

    • @aaronraines2310
      @aaronraines2310 6 лет назад +1

      Becoming Autism I think you are great person. Routine change is hard. I found out yesterday at Dr I have to go to assist living it is not as bad as group home but not like living with roommates like now. My routine is messing up also and I am upset. I saw this video it kind of helped because then I can see other people have problem at meltdown just as I do.

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  6 лет назад

      thank you Aaron, that means a lot

  • @ronaldquinn5871
    @ronaldquinn5871 5 лет назад

    Thanks for sharing your story

  • @libbymacro6296
    @libbymacro6296 4 года назад

    I normally have a sensory overload or meltdown when routing has been changed and my teach has to help me to calm down it means I don't want to talk or I will us my feelings book , card to help me with the day😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😓😫😭 I have gdd global development delay so it's much herder to understand people but my teachers do

  • @ajo7009
    @ajo7009 4 года назад

    I realize this is late. But something that helps me during meltdowns is talking to an imaginary friend. I imagine that person doing and saying the things that I need to calm me down, and it actually really works for me. Perhaps this idea could help someone else.

  • @josephramdin620
    @josephramdin620 2 года назад

    Relatable thank you 🙏

  • @worldtipper
    @worldtipper 5 лет назад

    I have those too as a male.

  • @ellethebat5624
    @ellethebat5624 6 лет назад

    I been having meltdowns lately and outbursts

  • @Jimbo386000
    @Jimbo386000 5 лет назад

    Your channel is really helpful. :)

  • @lucywillow6155
    @lucywillow6155 5 лет назад +1

    Is your dog a cavachon? I have one called Woolly Woof.. I have meltdowns but unfortunately I have nobody supportive at all to help me.. My family aren't bothered about me. They threw me out as a teenager. And my boyfriend makes meltdowns worse because he swears at me and argues with me...

    • @BecomingAutism
      @BecomingAutism  5 лет назад

      she is a cavachon yes :) im so sorry to hear this, is there any local support groups you could join to help you~?

  • @orcodrilo
    @orcodrilo 6 лет назад +2

    What would you say is the least conspicuous stim toy?

  • @ozziefan1984
    @ozziefan1984 5 лет назад

    I have pretty bad meltdowns luckily I take meds and I don't have as many

  • @siobhanwain6791
    @siobhanwain6791 6 лет назад

    I have ADD and Asperges. I once kicked my wardrobe.

  • @littlelady2473
    @littlelady2473 6 лет назад +1

    Thanks for sharing. Your video was vey brave.

  • @andrewmorton395
    @andrewmorton395 5 лет назад +1

    Same with me its realy scery

  • @FanKagomeMay
    @FanKagomeMay 4 года назад

    sorry for that's going cool off

  • @andrewmorton395
    @andrewmorton395 6 лет назад

    I have realy bad anxierty

  • @vegetason3476
    @vegetason3476 5 лет назад

    does a autistic meltdown make you tair things a part even if you don't mean to

  • @ellethebat5624
    @ellethebat5624 6 лет назад

    You have a wrongly named username

    • @PetaPan88
      @PetaPan88 5 лет назад

      Said doom the doggo...

  • @MissJuneBennett
    @MissJuneBennett 7 лет назад +3

    Well Hon, I'm not autistic just hyper as hell but if this helps will pass it on to you. When you have a meltdown just say "I'm on the rag" or "I'm on my period". If your like me, and I know I am being a woman you can get away with that! People will leave you alone if they think it's that time of the month and it explains your "moodiness". ;)

    • @magsdoesnotknow
      @magsdoesnotknow 6 лет назад +5

      Autism is not something to lie about to hide, it's not any worse to be autistic than to have a period