Tags: #autism #PDA #meltdown #ADHD #sensory
You can write definitions and guides about meltdowns - but who reads them to the end? 🙃 And since everything works differently for me in every area… this is my 🎭
Scene 1 - Tension Rises
brain
Oh, stimulus limit exceeded. The balloon will burst soon.
me
But I just wanted peace!
brain
Peace went on vacation. Now we'll have the ‘drama and special effects’ version.
Scene 2 - First Signals
body
Muscles like concrete, breathing through a straw, heart pounding like techno on Sunday morning. Energy accumulates like a firework.
me
Seriously that bad?
body
Yes, and I don't have a ‘pause’ button.
Scene 3 - Relationships in Flames
relationships
Spectators peek: ‘But what's her problem?’.
me
Exactly?
relationships
We see drama, not SOS. And of course someone asks: ‘Do you want to talk?’.
brain
Please, another barrel of gasoline on the fire.
Scene 4 - Behavior Takes Control
behavior
I enter: raised voice, violent gestures, door slamming.
me
But I didn't want to put on a show!
behavior
This isn't a show. It's emergency evacuation.
Scene 5 - Finale
me
Migraine pounding in my temples, body like after a marathon, even though I ‘won’ nothing.
brain
This is what survival looks like. Not pretty, but you're still standing.
me
So meltdown isn't failure?
brain
No. It's survival mode in spectacular form. Ugly, chaotic, but effective.
Scene 6 - Epilogue
body
Finally breathing. Muscles relax, heart slows down.
brain
Reset complete. System ready for more driving.
relationships
(from behind the door) ‘Better? Can I bring you water?’
me
Yes, but slowly. The epilogue always sounds the same: silence, blanket, water and anti-CGRP/ tryptan for migraine. No quizzes.
behavior
(muttering from the corner) It wasn't pretty, but at least no one burned down.
Scene After Credits
me
How can I stop earlier?
brain
A few practical steps:
Micro-signals
Sudden excess energy without direction, thoughts scattered like a herd of cats, absolutely everything irritates me for no reason → keyword “BREAK”.
Instructions for others
“BREAK” means: leave me alone for 10 minutes in peace, without questions.
Release (physical)
Walking, stomping, hitting the mattress, quick push-ups, shaking hands. It’s about letting energy flow through the body, because it is what resets the meltdown. Not blocking, not expelling - just allowing it to pass and disperse.
Shields (sensory, also prevention)
Noise-canceling headphones, heavy blanket, chewing gum, cold water. This isn’t “being quiet and nice”, but a barrier that protects the system.
Return
After the wave → quick check: “I’m here. Need water/blanket/silence?”. Zero analysis right away.