I've talked quite a bit about meltdowns on this blog because they're so integral to the aspie condition but I really haven't given much attention to their poor cousin - the shutdown.
Technically, there aren't too many differences between meltdowns and shutdowns. Both are extreme reactions to everyday stimuli. Both tend to be the result of long term unresolved issues rather than the more obvious triggers and both are almost completely out of the control of the aspie rather than being used by children and adults as a means to an end - that would be either a tantrum or emotional blackmail.
Some aspies are more prone to meltdowns while others lean more towards the shutdown model. It's possible to do both but this depends greatly on the root cause of the problem.
I think that there's a bit of a personality component to the reaction with aspies who are more sure of themselves or more fiercely independent leaning towards meltdowns rather than shutdowns but again there's a wide variance depending upon the feelings brought on by the trigger. Some events can make even the most confident of aspies doubt themselves.
What Exactly is a Shutdown?
While a meltdown could be described as rage against a situation, a meltdown tends to be more of a retreat.
Behaviours which manifest during a shutdown include rolling oneself into a ball or foetal position, crawling under objects or lying face down or completely under the covers on a bed. Gaze avoidance tends to increase significantly during a shutdown and conversation is non-existent.
As with meltdowns, in a shutdown situation, the aspie may act irrationally or dangerously. Unlike a meltdown however, the harmful activities are almost always directed at oneself.
The aspie may attempt self harm and may even be suicidal. They may be more likely to take reckless risks such as walking along a busy road on a dark/rainy night.
Causes
As with meltdowns, the cause of a shutdown tends to be culmulative and the trigger may bear little resemblance to the actual problem.
The real problems associated with shutdowns tend to lean towards depression, lonliness poor self image and poor self worth.
In a small child, a shutdown may be triggered because of a simple breakfast issue (perhaps they were given something they don't like). In this case, the cause may actually have nothing to do with breakfast at all but rather it may be symptomatic of the child's frustration at not being able to make herself understood.
In an adult, shutdowns can result from extreme events such as losing a job or a marriage break-up but they can also have very small triggers which simply "remind" an aspie of a larger pain. Perhaps a small incident at work could provoke some long term insecurities and cause a retreat.
What Do Shutdowns Feel Like?
Since these are extremely rare for me, I'm probably not the best person to answer the question but I'll try.
For me, a shutdown will move my pain to the center of my focus and I'll start thinking "what if" and "if only" scenarios. These are always counter-productive because you can't change the past and they usually only make me feel entrapped by events.
I'm not so much of a foetal position person - I tend to collapse into a heap instead. During a shutdown, I'll generally not have any contact with anyone but I do still hear voices.
As a child I'd often try pathetic ways of self termination, like holding my breath or strangling myself. Note that I didn't do this as attention-seeking behaviour but instead would attempt it unannounced and in solitude. I'd also attempt self harm but usually only by banging my head or pummeling myself with my fists. I know quite a few aspies who have, and in many cases continue to, self harm using sharp instruments. As a parent or friend, you need to keep a close eye on these situations.
I think I've only had two shutdowns in my adult life and in both cases there was no danger during the actual shutdown period but afterward, when I was moving around, my behavior was reckless and could have been self-destructive (depending on chance factors).
The "Cure"
Like all aspergers things, there's not really a cure however self-respect goes a long way towards prevention. If you have children, it's very important to counter any negative messages they're receiving from others. If those negative messages are coming from teachers or family, then you may need to get involved yourself.
Unlike meltdowns, where it's best to leave the aspie alone but in a safe place, it's generally ok to talk in a soothing voice during a shutdown. Just make sure that you're careful what you say and keep things positive. The only thing to remember when soothing during a shutdown is that you're still dealing with a person on the spectrum. Don't try to force eye contact and don't touch without either being invited or being cautious to see the reaction frst.
Technically, there aren't too many differences between meltdowns and shutdowns. Both are extreme reactions to everyday stimuli. Both tend to be the result of long term unresolved issues rather than the more obvious triggers and both are almost completely out of the control of the aspie rather than being used by children and adults as a means to an end - that would be either a tantrum or emotional blackmail.
Some aspies are more prone to meltdowns while others lean more towards the shutdown model. It's possible to do both but this depends greatly on the root cause of the problem.
I think that there's a bit of a personality component to the reaction with aspies who are more sure of themselves or more fiercely independent leaning towards meltdowns rather than shutdowns but again there's a wide variance depending upon the feelings brought on by the trigger. Some events can make even the most confident of aspies doubt themselves.
What Exactly is a Shutdown?
While a meltdown could be described as rage against a situation, a meltdown tends to be more of a retreat.
Behaviours which manifest during a shutdown include rolling oneself into a ball or foetal position, crawling under objects or lying face down or completely under the covers on a bed. Gaze avoidance tends to increase significantly during a shutdown and conversation is non-existent.
As with meltdowns, in a shutdown situation, the aspie may act irrationally or dangerously. Unlike a meltdown however, the harmful activities are almost always directed at oneself.
The aspie may attempt self harm and may even be suicidal. They may be more likely to take reckless risks such as walking along a busy road on a dark/rainy night.
Causes
As with meltdowns, the cause of a shutdown tends to be culmulative and the trigger may bear little resemblance to the actual problem.
The real problems associated with shutdowns tend to lean towards depression, lonliness poor self image and poor self worth.
In a small child, a shutdown may be triggered because of a simple breakfast issue (perhaps they were given something they don't like). In this case, the cause may actually have nothing to do with breakfast at all but rather it may be symptomatic of the child's frustration at not being able to make herself understood.
In an adult, shutdowns can result from extreme events such as losing a job or a marriage break-up but they can also have very small triggers which simply "remind" an aspie of a larger pain. Perhaps a small incident at work could provoke some long term insecurities and cause a retreat.
What Do Shutdowns Feel Like?
Since these are extremely rare for me, I'm probably not the best person to answer the question but I'll try.
For me, a shutdown will move my pain to the center of my focus and I'll start thinking "what if" and "if only" scenarios. These are always counter-productive because you can't change the past and they usually only make me feel entrapped by events.
I'm not so much of a foetal position person - I tend to collapse into a heap instead. During a shutdown, I'll generally not have any contact with anyone but I do still hear voices.
As a child I'd often try pathetic ways of self termination, like holding my breath or strangling myself. Note that I didn't do this as attention-seeking behaviour but instead would attempt it unannounced and in solitude. I'd also attempt self harm but usually only by banging my head or pummeling myself with my fists. I know quite a few aspies who have, and in many cases continue to, self harm using sharp instruments. As a parent or friend, you need to keep a close eye on these situations.
I think I've only had two shutdowns in my adult life and in both cases there was no danger during the actual shutdown period but afterward, when I was moving around, my behavior was reckless and could have been self-destructive (depending on chance factors).
The "Cure"
Like all aspergers things, there's not really a cure however self-respect goes a long way towards prevention. If you have children, it's very important to counter any negative messages they're receiving from others. If those negative messages are coming from teachers or family, then you may need to get involved yourself.
Unlike meltdowns, where it's best to leave the aspie alone but in a safe place, it's generally ok to talk in a soothing voice during a shutdown. Just make sure that you're careful what you say and keep things positive. The only thing to remember when soothing during a shutdown is that you're still dealing with a person on the spectrum. Don't try to force eye contact and don't touch without either being invited or being cautious to see the reaction frst.
Comments
Also, as a side note, I want to thank you for sharing all this with us, your blog has been so helpful to me. Whether I am Aspie or not (Bipolar is also up in the air), I've been able to identify with a lot of what you write and it is so helpful.
It can be triggered by a simple comment (think of Waterboy's trigger). I'll play it over and over again in my head, cross reference it with previous comments and catastrophise the situation. I then go to a very "dark" place with whats the point of it all. I then look for opporunistic suicides. If i drive into this lane that truck will do the job real quickly. stuff like that. (The bad thing, nobody can tell whats going on inside, I am numb with no body language or outward emotion).
But I have now devised a transcendence coping mechanism. When my whole world is spiralling out of control, I stop, find a quiet place (neutral ground/location) and clear my mind through meditation/appreciation. This then takes the edge off. I have then found with the edge removed and focus not on myself if I do a kindness for someone else I get the warm fuzzies. Psych theory through Goleman writes that you counter the emotion with its opposite. happy-sad, anger-peace etc.
For us in simple terms, its like a petulant child thats just been smacked... the pendulum swings wildly.
A word though, this is a purely internal thing and the motivation can only come from that person. If its external, it'll make it worse (unless they specifically ask for it).
Just my experience with it.
The foetal position is a self comforting thing. The rocking is the next progression. You will find the the rock matches the heart rate and bodies natural rythym. It's comforting to the next level.
A withdrawal which lasts several days suggests to me that there is more to it. The person could be experiencing depression or there may be other issues.
i've heard previously about shut-downs, but i think some of the information was incomplete. i did suspect that the times when i simply curl up and fall asleep--this in response to overwhelming changes usually--are a form of shutdown. i didn't realize that the difficulty with getting out words/going silent had to do with shutdown as well. (i always assumed it was just a personal quirk. funny how so many of these are explained by various AS traits.:)
thank you so much for the information--for the blog in general.
While a meltdown could be described as rage against a situation, a meltdown tends to be more of a retreat.
P.S. You have my permission to break your rule and delete my post even though it doesn't name names etc :P
I lay underneath my weighted blanket and keep away from the threat that started the explsion within myself.Then my thoughts whirl around like a tornado around and around.I can't sooth myself I'm paralized by it.
Like the kind meep has posted.
I hide in myself and in my room dark also.I cry and tire myself out like a babys often does.
I'm not sure the diffrence between meltdown and shutdown.
But thanks for helping me understand myself all of you.
This some bad helpers don't take seriously enough to leave me alone.
I have shutdowns like meep. When I'm overstimulated, I tend to shutdown most times. Before, I meltdown in my room. I'm self-destructive. I punch walls, hit my head & body against walls. After the rage, I shutdown, I get so exhausted. I get sleepy then I fall asleep. Now, I am not allowed to self-destruct, so I mostly just shutdown though most times I want still want to punch. It makes me feel alive & I feel no pain but only later. (I've been off meds for a yr & 7mos now, Doc says I don't need them, I only need to "change".)But I recently have been having more meltdowns out in the open (& I mean where I’m not alone) & I kinda like it better. Cos when having my shutdowns or meltdowns alone w/o people around, no one is there to help me and I fail to tell or let my counselor know/see my misery. Cos if in the open, she can see me. Sadly, she rarely/barely sees/knows when I’m having a shutdown. She only sees me with it if she pays attention or look after my every move and she'd make a remark, "You seem to be looking frail."
I tend to have meltdowns when things are really too much already & I couldn't hang on any longer or suppressing isn't helping anymore & solitude cannot wait or unavailable. Though after a meltdown, I shutdown even in front of people because I'm exhausted already. I get too quiet & slow mentally & physically like walking or picking up things. When I have my meltdowns, I like it when my counselor is there to the rescue because only in meltdowns can I get a touch/hug/embrace from her. In regular days, I am only up to wishing she would embrace me even in "almost-shutting-down" times. Even feeling depressed times. & now I think she seemed to now show disinterest on me. I think I have tire her. I think she doesn't like me anymore. I think she has other people needing more of her attention than mine even though my Doc tells me she's giving me special treatment/special attention but I don't believe because I seem to be treated less than special, less than normal by her. Treated very exceptional & I mean that she doesn't treat me like the “others” like e.g. a hug. I am, I guess, the most problem person in our church of only 200 members.
Btw, she’s my computer teacher 11 yrs ago, a Sunday school teacher, a bible study leader, one of the pastors in our church, my counselor, a friend.
I'm sorry about my last parts of my sharing. I’ve been down since getting overstimulated and shutting down 5 days now. & it seems I’ve lost my counselor/best friend now after she told me that we stop meeting until 2 months later because she thinks I'm clingy after giving her bad remarks & frequently getting angry at her. & sometimes I think she may not be liking my emotions/meltdowns out in the open. The "2 months" was up a month ago. But I really think I lost her now. She doesn't understand me though she thinks she does. & I'll always be a loner. I guess I'm just too incompatible with people.
& now I can't wait to leave my hometown. So I will no longer see the people here. Still wishing to find people who understand me and can really help me and whom I can hug without me always asking for it and just receive a NO.
& I despise myself.
http://sdsjournal.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-comment-on-shutdown-specific-type-of.html
Says because it's too large.
I do not have Asperger's - but I have been said to have "several traits of the syndrome". I am in the NT range, but too weird for an NT sometimes. So there, I had those overwhelming sadness incidents, during which I was an awful person. It wasn't actually depression, because after I've slept throught the night, I felt fine again, like a computer after a reset. After such an incident I usually was able to tell what triggered it. Unfortunately, not before...
Last time I figured it out before I've melted into a pile of tears, I closed my eyes and fell half-asleep for about a half an hour. Not really sleeping, not thinking or feeling, just resting. Strangely, it helped. I woke up feeling all right again.
Often shutdowns are triggered by long discussions on the same subject. I lose topic thread and then conversation begins to feel like a never-ending labyrinth. These lengthy conversations are painful and I find them both physically and emotionally exhausting for me.
When efforts to stop my pain fail, shutdowns are a guaranteed escape. I crawl beneath my heaviest covers sobbing. Rocking in the fetal position, I suck my thumb until I sleep.
My shutdown serves as my emotional reboot.
Often shutdowns are triggered by long discussions on the same subject. I lose topic thread and then conversation begins to feel like a never-ending labyrinth. These lengthy conversations are painful and I find them both physically and emotionally exhausting for me."
I am right there with you! This totally me! In just the past week, my husband and I believe I have Aspergers. All the online tests I've taken have me high on the scale. I'm trying to find someone to officially diagnose me now.
He is going thru prescription drug withdrawls right now and is very emotionally needy. He's trying to find his fix through me - and I just can't offer it. All he wants to do is talk and talk about "feelings" and all I want to do is run away.
Whenever I am around him now I tend to start to shutdown. This morning was exceptionally bad. Thank goodness I had to leave to go to work. But I know once I'm around him again, it will just keep continuing - I really feel like I'm going to lose it. The ability to maintain control is almost non-existent. I just want to go to a room where I can't be seen, curl up and cry and be left completely alone. If only he would just leave me alone...
I've been off it for 2 weeks and have been relatively fine, except that I sunk back into my stupid depressed apathetic rut after a math problems pissed me off. Yeah, one math problem. What led was a classic shutdown preceeded by a short lived tantrum where I kicked a hole in my grandparent's wall and shouted obscenities at the tv. I sat behind a brick wall in the sun for two hours before my granddad found me. This has been happening to me my whole life. I am naturally prone to building up stress and anxiety, and I try to relieve it as much as I can, by running and talking with people, but that only goes so far. Sometimes you just need to let it all out and start with a clean slate.
It takes the rest of the day to get over my feelings of anxiety and frustration during which I listen to Nirvana and rip paper into little shreds (like the guy from the Langoliers)
The preceeding story happened today, and I write this in the midst of the song "Heart Shaped Box" I'll be fine tomorrow, and I await it's rewards (finishing my stupid homework and calling Walgreens for a follow up interview to get a job)
I would mainly meltdown, though. I knew that screaming would do nothing, but then I had to. I was so frustrated that screaming and sobbing, then usually ending up in a sobbing, pathetic heap on my bed. Hasn't happened in almost a year though. (I'm 13.)
I also had an autonomic nervous system problem RSD, which I overcame with extreme relaxation therapy and Elavil. Prayer, too. I also had premenstral syndrome, and found that for ANY NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEM (irritation, sadness as well) getting a huge dose of Vitamin B complex daily keeps the worst of it away. The Complex feeds the nervous system. B100 from Vit World is good. If I'm crying, I know immediately that I need Vit B, and 20 min later, I'm back to myself. Take the B as a complex, as they work as catalysts for the other B's. Take a large enough dose as well, with water. If you don't, you won't get the relief; and its water soluble, so you'll just pee out bright yellow/green when you have sufficient in your system.
Good luck, and great blog.
I have a lovely 6 year old son who has Aspergers. He has recently suffered a huge trauma as a result of an assault at the hands of his dad (who has been charged and my son is now safe).
Since the assault my son who was managing well at school, is having meltdowns and shutdowns in class, difficulties staying still and concentrating and generally trying to withdraw himself from everything.
He is clearly just overloaded internally with all he is trying to process from the incident and resultant changes in his home life. His teacher is supportive but not sure what to do. It is not legal to keep him at home and stay quite and clam and feeling secure with me till he can take the stimulation of school.
Can anyone suggest techniques to help us release some existing build up stimulation and to sooth in the moment in the classroom when he is not coping?
Unfortunately at the same time as I am wanting to help him manage this I am dealing with many legal implications and being sole provider so the advice of someone with insight and experience in this area would be such a help.
Hope you don't mind that I'm not signing out with my name.
It's possible that daily life is stressful for him and he just lives in his own little world to cope. There are other coping strategies, of course, but he doesn't know what I'm talking about when I try to discuss this with him. He will latch onto something I say such as the amount of time he spends on the computer or that he doesn't ask about my day and then he will simply avoid spending time on the computer when I'm around and be shut down doing something else, or ask robotically about my day every single night at the same time without seeming to care about the answer.
He seems depressed and unfulfilled. He has never had motivation and doesn't seem to care what happens to himself or others. He agrees with whatever I suggest but doesn't bring anything to contribute to any plans for our lives - from where to go for dinner to where to live.
He never tells me anything, from getting a raise to hearing news about his family to being ill (if he's irritable I have to ask probing questions about his health, which usually explains it). If I ask a question he will not volunteer anything. Last night: Are you getting a bonus for covering for your absent colleague? Yes. How much? 10%. Ten percent of what? His salary. How much does he make? ... Yet I'm supposed to run a budget, plan for a vacation, etc. I just don't feel like doing it by the time I've dragged the necessary information from him.
I don't know what to do.
I'm extremely unfulfilled. I try to accept the situation but it's soul-deadening to be with someone who literally doesn't care about *anything.* I continually try to offer stimulating ideas but there's no togetherness in anticipation, planning, or goal-setting. He does enjoy doing things when they are planned for him and created for him.
He doesn't seem to understand what I mean when I try to talk to him about this; how it isn't fun for me to be his lifestyle manager. How resentful I am that I am constantly reaching into my guts to dredge up "life" for him to just show up and consume.
I appreciate reading about others' experiences and I hope that people like my husband and I and the commenters here can find working solutions. If only we knew where to start.
I seem to be in a state of shock due to loss of support. Inconsistency and breech of trust. I can't speak and can't be among people and have to hibernate in my quiet unit all alone. This morning I went to church and a few acquaintances came up to me, but I was mute. I just looked at them and blinked, literally. I did not stay there long. I had to walk home real quick before I fainted.
I am not suicidal, but I wish I could stop existing. I wish I could just disappear.
During a meltdown, I mostly want to be left alone because I am afraid of hurting those around me. I am physically large & very strong. I feel almost no pain during either type of episode, and I have violent & intrusive thoughts w/ a history of psychosis & blackouts... The anxiety I feel at the possibility of hurting one of my loved ones is very real because I can logically qualify my reasoning for the fear.
The only exceptions to the rule are my biological father and my step-dad. They are the only people I can tolerate the presence of during a full meltdown because both are large & very strong in their own right. They are both capable of restraining me to prevent me from hurting others or restraining me to prevent me hurting myself (which are both different restraining techniques). Also, both are very emotionally supportive and can make restraint seem more like a hug (which it usually is lol).
I have found that there are some people I absolutely cannot be around during an episode as well, & you might want to ask your husband if there is anyone that falls in this category for him. For me, it is my mother. She is often the one that triggers any meltdown that I am trying to hold back. She doesn't BELIEVE people with Asperger's have meltdowns. She berates me for throwing a fit like a child (I am 27 years old. I don't need to throw a tantrum. If I want something, I provide it for myself. If I could communicate like an adult "should", then I would). She says I am over-reacting, a drama queen, or (worst of all) trying to emotionally manipulate her.
During a shutdown, I prefer to be around my dad or boyfriend (but not both together cuz I am in no shape to mediate their testosterone contests). I do not like to be alone and this is often the only time I will seek company outside myself. I have intrusive suicidal thoughts. I don't actually want to kill myself, but when I feel utterly alone, miserable & dejected/rejected: the thought pops into my head like a popup on a computer. I think video-graphically in technicolor and HIGH DEFINITION, so the thoughts can be rather disturbing... And I don't just think about the act itself, but the aftermath of it and the effect it will have on my soul and the world as I know it (i.e. "the people around me"). I prefer Deep Pressure Therapy during shutdown (laying between two mattresses is best).
Hope this helps. Your husband is very lucky to have you & you are very lucky to have him (despite his autistic quirks or any of your neurodiverse quirks).
Remember, you can read to gain knowledge, but you should try to communicate to gain understanding. If your husband has a hard time verbally conversing about his Autistic traits, try texting about it.. I find that typing out what I need to communicate helps me process so much better.
God bless & Good Luck. Reply if you would like to know anything else I might be able to provide insight on.
I feel extremely vulnerable, like being naked, even though I am wearing as many layers as possible. I can hear when people are talking to me, and I can process what they are saying, but I am unable to respond at all, my brain just providing "SHUT UP! DON'T TOUCH ME! GET AWAY FROM ME!" as a response, and yet I can say nothing.
Sometimes crying is a response to the frustration, other times I cannot cry. Every natural physical activity is emphasised, every breath, blink of my eyes, twitch of my limbs, comes with an exhausting awareness of each movement.
I can relate to the mentions of self-harming behaviours - during or leading up to a shutdown, I have been known to pull out large amounts of my hair, grind my fingernails into my arms and legs, even repeatedly punch myself in the head.
Shutdowns usually happen when an uncomfortable subject has been raised. For me, it seems to be sex, but that's a whole other, personal issue. The shutdown usually begins if my partner says something like, "we need to talk about sex". Then the shutdown begins.
If the subject or I am left alone, I would probably experience and come out of a shutdown within an hour or two. However, if my partner keeps bringing up the subject, or keeps asking questions, or keeps probing for answers, the shutdown will inevitably get worse and worse and it could last all night or for at least 4 hours.
As the original poster said, this is all down to personal experience and interpretation. This is just my experience of a shutdown. Thought I would share. :)
How long could a shutdown last?
I have a partner whom i think has aspergers .. though she doesnt know it or does not want to tell me... Im afraid of discussing this with her.
she has been in a similar state for over a week. she cant concentrate on anything and just want to be alone. what is it? what can i do to help? I dont know what to do... what ever i do or say seems to make things worse