Am I over reacting? How can I help myself in situations like this

There are times where I struggle, such as how to deal with certain events. In certain events I end up acting before I think about it clearly. I end up having meltdowns occasionally, especially after I stayed with my partner for a few nights.

Mind I am always happy at his have no worries and can be myself. But when I'm at home I'm sometimes happy, but there's times I'm not. 

For example, yesterday I came back home, went inside. My dad just stood there not helping me open the door when I have lots of bags in my hands and was struggling.

I said hello to him and the dog. He apparently said hello back which my mom heard but I did not. All I seen him do was stand there, saying nothing. Where as he normally asks if I'm okay or asks if he can help with my bags. But not this time. As I thought he didn't say anything, I said nothing else and started getting into a mood.

My mom was in the front room and when I walked past she said hello. Normally I would of thought she would get up and see if I was okay, especially after a personal issue happened on Friday. I continued doing what I normally do (unpacked) and then put my dirty clothes in the washer, when my mom said again hello, which I said hello back. Then she mentioned about the washing, saying she thought I would of don it at my partner's place. Well ummm no, my parents know my routine and that I bring my washing home. It's not like I'm permanently living at his. Plus I pay house keep to them which was in part of the agreement that they will do my washing. 

Even though the agreement was verbal, I have a good memory of what and what wasn't included. This kinda upset me a little but I understand where my mom was coming from.

But it upset me even more so that she did not ask about how I was first before any other remarks. 

Later on my dad picked up a small jar which I put on the side for the time being. He asked if I'm keeping it before he bins it. Then they asked why, and I said it's a rewards jar. 

Then they looked at each other with confusion, Nd to me it looked like they were about to laugh at me. Which made me have a meltdown/ flip out bursting into tears, shouted and screamed at them out of frustration and when to the other room. Think it was after tea too Thinking I wanted to go in the other room to calm down but was demanded to go back and sit at the table to talk it out. 

Which I did not like and to me caused me to feel worse. 

Later on I explained what it's for, and that it was to help me cut back on getting new soft animals. (Not small hand sized ones but bigger cuddly ones) just to help me cut back on getting them and tThinkingmake it feel like a reward/a goal to achieve other than I see it, I want it, I can afford it and got space for it scenario. Mind I'm still keep that in mind. But want it to feel more rewarding, having a goal to aim towards that in. Thinking

Going back, it just feels like I get judged every time I'm home, I don't have any support with my disability or mental health. 

I did think I could of delt with the situation better but at the same time I felt ever so overwhelmed at home in all these events and made me have a meltdown Disappointed

This keeps on happening and I talk to my parents as best as I can but I do feel like it's not going through to them.

Especially when my mom talks to me and when I'm upset her voice sounds extremely load and hurts my ears. Making me want to get away from the conversation as it's draining me and I could not focus at all. I keep on saying about it and she understands but at the same time she tells me it cause she can't hear herself at times and she doesn't know she's doing it t times. Dispute me saying, she continues and says it's cause I'm young and my hearing is better.

Which I about also.remimd her I'm autistic and some sounds hurt my ears. In which she replies it's mild, very mild autism which to me is an insult. Cause to me autism is still autism, no matter what part of the spectrum you are.

Anyway apologies for all that, but was wondering if I over reacted and if there's ways to help me have less melt downs (my meltdowns tend to be caused by what my parents say or have done or when I get too overwhelmed)

Parents
  • was wondering if I over reacted and if there's ways to help me have less melt downs

    My initial view is that it is a significant over-reaction (sorry but I imagine you want to hear our opinions).

    The initial situation you describe may have come after your parents were discussing something which left them worried / preparing / curious. When you turned up it may have appeared to them that you were quite capable to open the door (you did manage it after all) without help so they continued thinking about what was on their mind.

    Maybe they were thinking that you may be moving out, maybe they were worried about your independence plans, that they have some financial issue of their own or had a health issue to deal with - you don't know, but it was occupying so they were behaving differently.

    Most neurotypicals would pick up on this behaviour change and ask them if everything was OK instead of making it about themselves, but this happens a lot with autistic people.

    The issue about the jar is also understandable as cuddly toys are indicator of childish behaviour for neurotypicals so if they had been talking about your independence as an adult then it would be seen as a step back from "growing up".

    I don't have any support with my disability or mental health. 

    There has been quite a bit of discussion of this here lately - it does look like there is very little support for adults who are able to look after themselves as you do, at least unless you go looking for it.

    By that I mean you are able to organise your own therapist to help improve your response to meltdowns etc, you are able to join discussion forums like this one to speak to other autists and get advice, you are able to read up on the subject and understand / learn / practice techniques from books by specialists on autism etc.

    It would be nice if the state was to look after us, but it is in a poor state of health itself and the funds / resources / infrastructure is just not there for those who are classed as "low support requirements" such as us.

    So - my advice going forward.

    1 - deal with the meltdowns first. This will take time and will never really go away but you can work on techniques to manage their start and lessen their severity/duration. if your GP cannot get you to see a therapist then go privately - about £50/hour is needed and you will need quite a few hours so think if it is possible to do this.

    Learn more about hte meltdowns too - these two books are very useful:

    From Anxiety to Meltdown - How Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Deal with Anxiety, Experience Meltdowns, Manifest Tantrums, and How You Can Intervene Effectively - Deborah Lipsky (2011)
    ISBN 9781849058438

    Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety - A Guide to Successful Stress Management - Nick Dubin (2009)
    ISBN 9781843108955

    You may be able to borrow from the library.

    2 - when you are calm try to sit down with your mother and explain about how your hearing becomes hypersensitive when you are going into meltdown. Point out that it becomes physically painful and ask her to be gentle when that happens.

    You also need to flag up to them when you feel the meltdown starting, while you still have control. Make sure they know the way you will do this - maybe get them to read some of the book info relating to this too so they see it is a real thing and not just dramatics.

    3 - try to make sure your parents and partner know you are getting help and let them know what they can do to support you (it may even be financially).

    That is a lot to digest so I'll stop here for now.

Reply
  • was wondering if I over reacted and if there's ways to help me have less melt downs

    My initial view is that it is a significant over-reaction (sorry but I imagine you want to hear our opinions).

    The initial situation you describe may have come after your parents were discussing something which left them worried / preparing / curious. When you turned up it may have appeared to them that you were quite capable to open the door (you did manage it after all) without help so they continued thinking about what was on their mind.

    Maybe they were thinking that you may be moving out, maybe they were worried about your independence plans, that they have some financial issue of their own or had a health issue to deal with - you don't know, but it was occupying so they were behaving differently.

    Most neurotypicals would pick up on this behaviour change and ask them if everything was OK instead of making it about themselves, but this happens a lot with autistic people.

    The issue about the jar is also understandable as cuddly toys are indicator of childish behaviour for neurotypicals so if they had been talking about your independence as an adult then it would be seen as a step back from "growing up".

    I don't have any support with my disability or mental health. 

    There has been quite a bit of discussion of this here lately - it does look like there is very little support for adults who are able to look after themselves as you do, at least unless you go looking for it.

    By that I mean you are able to organise your own therapist to help improve your response to meltdowns etc, you are able to join discussion forums like this one to speak to other autists and get advice, you are able to read up on the subject and understand / learn / practice techniques from books by specialists on autism etc.

    It would be nice if the state was to look after us, but it is in a poor state of health itself and the funds / resources / infrastructure is just not there for those who are classed as "low support requirements" such as us.

    So - my advice going forward.

    1 - deal with the meltdowns first. This will take time and will never really go away but you can work on techniques to manage their start and lessen their severity/duration. if your GP cannot get you to see a therapist then go privately - about £50/hour is needed and you will need quite a few hours so think if it is possible to do this.

    Learn more about hte meltdowns too - these two books are very useful:

    From Anxiety to Meltdown - How Individuals on the Autism Spectrum Deal with Anxiety, Experience Meltdowns, Manifest Tantrums, and How You Can Intervene Effectively - Deborah Lipsky (2011)
    ISBN 9781849058438

    Asperger Syndrome and Anxiety - A Guide to Successful Stress Management - Nick Dubin (2009)
    ISBN 9781843108955

    You may be able to borrow from the library.

    2 - when you are calm try to sit down with your mother and explain about how your hearing becomes hypersensitive when you are going into meltdown. Point out that it becomes physically painful and ask her to be gentle when that happens.

    You also need to flag up to them when you feel the meltdown starting, while you still have control. Make sure they know the way you will do this - maybe get them to read some of the book info relating to this too so they see it is a real thing and not just dramatics.

    3 - try to make sure your parents and partner know you are getting help and let them know what they can do to support you (it may even be financially).

    That is a lot to digest so I'll stop here for now.

Children
  • Thank you for your help.

    Edit:

    I thought so too (that I've over reacted) 

    Sometimes I can't help but to overreact. But things were building up and was stopped from going off to calm down before it went out of hands how it did with the overreaction.

    I have spoken to my parents a fair few times bout it and I keep on saying about it each time (which they don't always grasp) 

    I do understand their worries but at the sam time they don't communicate well with me in that way. 

    But yet again thank you for your help Slight smile