Meltdown in Autism
It’s important to recognize the early signs of a meltdown and abate it in it’s tracks. Don’t stand the chance.
You can’t make it alone if you get panic. Benzodiazepines can help as soon as hyperventilation occurs, lying down with some soothing music. You should start feeling better in 15 minutes, stay calm. Always have emergency medication handy. If outdoors, reach out to bystanders and ask for an ambulance.
I’m frightened.
I can’t see my future.
I feel threatened.
We were headed to Europe in 2020!
Covid ruined our life.
That’s the price of international marriages… though I couldn’t find a better partner.
My advice to young mixed-race couples is to get settled before 40.
People my age plan their retirement, I’m still planning my life!
Meltdown occurs mainly in the evening.
I dread sunsets, Medication wears off in the evening, I’m co-morbid with ADHD.
My concentration starts waning at around 3pm in Winter, or following a major argument.
I cancelled a health-check tomorrow.
I’m burnt out, that will make for a guaranteed admission.
I hate Psychiatric Asian hospitals, the equivalent of Criminal s Medical Detention Centers.
Never confront autistics.
Just listen and sympathize with them.
Verbal abuse is destructive in autism. People living with autistics must learn when to speak calmly. It’s always better to leave the person alone during a crisis. Meltdowns are short-lived. Show compassion and reassurance once the subject cools down. Never counterattack.
Having an episode.
Rocking hard.
I’m scared.
I’m very sensitive to words.
My wife and uncle still haven’t understood to keep silent when I am overwhelmed.
The more they scold me the more I panic.
I wish I could die instantly as to shut the Devil up.
He knows how to scare me by putting the most triggering blasphemies in their mouths: “Who wants to stay with you?! You re scum! Stop mourning! Shame on you!”
Me:
“I don’t like to call! Sending videos is stupid! Internet makes people idiot! I only use pen and paper! You must go away from your mother-in-law! ……”
Everything started with my uncle’s call last night over financial issues.
I’m so homesick.
I want to thrive, not survive!
I heard a programme on the radio about Autistic meltdown: feeling broken and forgotten is mostly common.
Healthy debate is beneficial. It is intended to set respectful boundaries between family and friends however, it doesn’t come easy for autists, although with patience and understanding, you will get through. The first step is avoiding humiliation. The worst arguments arise from humiliation. Always respect your interlocutor no matter what. Respect is the anti-chamber of Peace. Humiliation, the trigger of Meltdown.
Humiliation is the worst way of arguing, it deprives a person from all dignity.
All couples argue, it s a normal way of setting boundaries and occasionally necessary.
I feel better and at peace after a healthy debate with my wife.
Unfortunately, stress-fueled arguing gets out of control, often resulting in verbal abuse, or humiliation as I perceive it.
One of my boundaries is working hard to set my business and hit the bed by 9pm watching a soft comedy.
On the other hand, my wife is a night owl, spending two hours to take a bath after work.
By the time she’s all set, it s 11pm and I’m sound asleep.
Bath for her is relaxation, whilst I’m a 15 mins shower type.
Bed is my comfort zone.
So, yesterday I lost my rack after an exhausting schedule: I refused to eat dinner and went straight to bed.
That escalated quickly.
“How dare you?! You’re like an 80 years old man! You do nothing for me! Who wants you?! Autistics are selfish bums!” And the list is endless…
I was about to snap when I went fully catatonic until she calmed down.
They were the longest 30 mins of my life.
I felt so humiliated that my brain literally shut off in self-defence.
She eventually stopped the rant.
Dissociation is my defence mechanism, the outcome of humiliation.
