Hi. I have looked on here for information, tips, resources for learning to understand my intense emotional responses and to cope better with them. This seems to have drawn a blank. Can anyone give any positive information/feedback on this subject? Much appreciated x
Hey, iv struggled with emotional regulation all of my life as far as I can remember. I wasnt diagnosed as on the Autistic spectrum as a child and so I grew up without being taught how to self sooth. It's only recently that iv started to really even attempt to control my meltdowns and outbursts. I used to just use the meltdown as my coping strategy tbh so congratulations for recognising the harm it could potentially be causing to the people around you. It shows a substantial amount of self awareness.
It's only after many years of being a human volcano 
that iv come to accept that the body count was just too high to ignore or deny responsibility for my actions anymore. Looking back on the friends iv lost and all the family members iv upset, the regrets I have are enormous and I wish I'd invested the effort and put in the work in learning coping stratergies far sooner.
I'm afraid I don't know alot about self soothing, I'm far from being the oricle on these matters. However I do go to a mental health group called Mentell once a week. I dont know if they run in your area but its a judgement and advise free space that doesn't cost anything to join or to attend. People can vent and discuss there thoughts, feelings and fears. Everyone shares whats bugging them that week and we all rally together and look out for each other. There's no pressure to share with the group if you dont want to, some people just want to sit and listen and thats perfectly fine too. Iv also done some councilling with a therapist who specialised in treating people who are on the Autistic spectrum but it is pretty expensive and i cant afford it at the moment but whilst I did it I personally found it helped me.
Also how about put on abit of soothing/relaxing music like smooth radio if you like that sort of thing. The next tip is a stress ball, use it alot! I take it everywhere with me even to work. If people quiz me about it I just tell them that it helps me to stay calm and agreeable! (somehow all objections seem to melt away after that) 
I'm not that bothered what people think as long as it works for me tbh. Walking away from stressful situations if possible might also help you but that's not always possible sadly. Also if you feel like raging at someone perhaps type out a rage filled message and then delete it without sending it. These are all tiny little things that together have made a big difference for me personally. Non might work for you or all of them might, i really hope this helps.
Cool, cheers Iain
