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Micro-meltdowns

Martin

I have read online that autistic meltdowns last 'from minutes to over an hour'. Mine certainly don't, they last from seconds up to a minute or so. They tend to be somewhat violent - always self-directed - and the trigger is often something apparently very minor. They only happen, or I allow them to happen, if I am alone. If I am with others, I tend to shut down instead, also of short duration. I wondered if anyone else had these sort of short-duration episodes, and if they, like me, do not have anything that lasts longer than a minute or so?

Parents

  • Thank you for raising this issue. I get these bery brief meltdowns. They are small scale and happen because I have no reserves of energy to cope. Eg last week I had no energy left and the dog got under my feet as I tried to get out to go to a meeting. I shouted at the dog - who I love intensely and who loves me back with some intensity. Some might call it a temper tantrum or a rage. But I know it was more than that. They are solitary rather than 'social' - shutdowns are my big feature behaviour. Meltdowns maybe happen when (because?) I am prevented from shutting down. 

  • in reply to Rob

    Interesting to find out that someone else has these short duration episodes. For me it seems like I have absolutely no ability whatsoever to cope with a situation, usually very trivial, and I either briefly shut down or erupt in a spasm of violent action - hitting the wall , thumping the side of my head or biting something very hard. This seems to immediately restore me to a calm state, like resetting a switch. It is very odd, like losing control, but not losing control at the same time. The worst damage I have ever done to myself is minor bruising.

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  • in reply to Rob

    Interesting to find out that someone else has these short duration episodes. For me it seems like I have absolutely no ability whatsoever to cope with a situation, usually very trivial, and I either briefly shut down or erupt in a spasm of violent action - hitting the wall , thumping the side of my head or biting something very hard. This seems to immediately restore me to a calm state, like resetting a switch. It is very odd, like losing control, but not losing control at the same time. The worst damage I have ever done to myself is minor bruising.

Children