Letting off steam

[Rushkami]

After running a few errands today I began to have a meltdown like I haven't had in a long time (I am autistic/adhd) and I have ended up dancing and singing very loudly around my living room drinking red wine from the bottle which is an old coping mechanism for me. I stole my partners crisps too though I did have some chicken too if that makes it slightly better!

How do people let off steam without drinking heavily and binge eating all the wrong foods?

This has been a long time coming I think but even I thought I was doing great so I've been blindsided by this sudden breakdown. I'll be back on it tomorrow but I'm not sure how to change the ways I cope when I have days like this.

 

[lovinglife]

After running a few errands today I began to have a meltdown like I haven't had in a long time (I am autistic/adhd) and I have ended up dancing and singing very loudly around my living room drinking red wine from the bottle which is an old coping mechanism for me. I stole my partners crisps too though I did have some chicken too if that makes it slightly better!

How do people let off steam without drinking heavily and binge eating all the wrong foods?

This has been a long time coming I think but even I thought I was doing great so I've been blindsided by this sudden breakdown. I'll be back on it tomorrow but I'm not sure how to change the ways I cope when I have days like this.

I understand the autistic meltdown as my son has autism, they are very different from what us neurotypical folks would experience as a “meltdown” we have some control in ours and it’s my belief from my observations and living with my son who is now 28 that a neurodivergent meltdown is not within your control. If this is your way of letting off steam then maybe you just have to go with it. I see it as a reset valve and now you’ve reset you can like you say get back to it.

Do you have any strategies or coping mechanisms in place for when you begin to feel overwhelmed? Maybe revisit those and see if you can tweak them etc. I feel advice from neurotypical people may not apply to how you deal with an autistic meltdown.

This may be old hat but I bought my son a weighted blanket just before Christmas as he struggles with the festive season and we usually experience a few meltdowns on the run up and during Christmas & New Year, we did use it a few times and it was very successful, he still became on the verge of meltdown but by persuading him to lay down under the blanket we managed to avert all the meltdowns reaching breaking point and we had a more peaceful time.

At the risk of sounding flippant and hoping I don’t offend but apart from the pain you must be in during meltdowns yours sound quite fun

 

[Rushkami]

I understand the autistic meltdown as my son has autism, they are very different from what us neurotypical folks would experience as a “meltdown” we have some control in ours and it’s my belief from my observations and living with my son who is now 28 that a neurodivergent meltdown is not within your control. If this is your way of letting off steam then maybe you just have to go with it. I see it as a reset valve and now you’ve reset you can like you say get back to it.

Do you have any strategies or coping mechanisms in place for when you begin to feel overwhelmed? Maybe revisit those and see if you can tweak them etc. I feel advice from neurotypical people may not apply to how you deal with an autistic meltdown.

This may be old hat but I bought my son a weighted blanket just before Christmas as he struggles with the festive season and we usually experience a few meltdowns on the run up and during Christmas & New Year, we did use it a few times and it was very successful, he still became on the verge of meltdown but by persuading him to lay down under the blanket we managed to avert all the meltdowns reaching breaking point and we had a more peaceful time.

At the risk of sounding flippant and hoping I don’t offend but apart from the pain you must be in during meltdowns yours sound quite fun

Thanks for the reply. No offence taken, my coping mechanisms may not be healthy but they make me feel better! I have a weighted blanket, I should utilise it more. I'm much more experienced in dealing with my meltdowns before they become too much but today it just hit me. I think I needed someone to say it's ok to have a slip up once in a while as long as I get back on track afterwards as I don't accept it if its me saying it to myself lol.

It has just been a bit of a day. Week. Month. And year!

 

[JoKalsbeek]

After running a few errands today I began to have a meltdown like I haven't had in a long time (I am autistic/adhd) and I have ended up dancing and singing very loudly around my living room drinking red wine from the bottle which is an old coping mechanism for me. I stole my partners crisps too though I did have some chicken too if that makes it slightly better!

How do people let off steam without drinking heavily and binge eating all the wrong foods?

This has been a long time coming I think but even I thought I was doing great so I've been blindsided by this sudden breakdown. I'll be back on it tomorrow but I'm not sure how to change the ways I cope when I have days like this.

Your coping mechanism sounds like fun. Not exactly healthy fun, but hey. I'm still trying to figure out mine, really... Because I spend most of my time not exactly coping with anything! (Went misdiagnosed with borderline for almost two decades, only recently found out it's been ADHD all along, still waiting for treatment).

My mechanisms so far seem to be: hitting research mode, so I get a grip on what I don't seem to have control of. Hang out in cat cafe's and zoo's, because people are too $%^& hard and animals I understand. They're safe, and don't ask anything from me I can't actually give them. In lieu of that, watching a series that gives me comfort, like Dr. Oakley Yukon Vet or some period drama. Sometimes, curling up in bed with a cat or two helps, book on my Kindle or series on my e-reader, or both. Being on here, so I can feel like less of a useless, breathing water bag. I always have a camera (well, at least one, that is) with me. I can digest the world better when I can take it in in bits and pieces. It keeps me from going to deeply into panic attacks, too, as I tend to distract myself. Long walks help too. Preferably with a certain purpose, because just aimlessly wandering is a no go for me, but it might not be for you.

And, yes, eating things I shouldn't, because sometimes, comfort food just happens. Just as long as it doesn't occur all too often, who cares? So, there's that.

Doubt any of this is useful, but just wanted to let you know, you're not alone, and you don't have to kick yourself around for singing, dancing and doing it with a bottle in hand. We all have our moments, it seems... And when you're neurospicy, they're kind of big moments to be dealing with. So cut yourself a break.

 

[Rushkami]

Your coping mechanism sounds like fun. Not exactly healthy fun, but hey. I'm still trying to figure out mine, really... Because I spend most of my time not exactly coping with anything! (Went misdiagnosed with borderline for almost two decades, only recently found out it's been ADHD all along, still waiting for treatment).

My mechanisms so far seem to be: hitting research mode, so I get a grip on what I don't seem to have control of. Hang out in cat cafe's and zoo's, because people are too $%^& hard and animals I understand. They're safe, and don't ask anything from me I can't actually give them. In lieu of that, watching a series that gives me comfort, like Dr. Oakley Yukon Vet or some period drama. Sometimes, curling up in bed with a cat or two helps, book on my Kindle or series on my e-reader, or both. Being on here, so I can feel like less of a useless, breathing water bag. I always have a camera (well, at least one, that is) with me. I can digest the world better when I can take it in in bits and pieces. It keeps me from going to deeply into panic attacks, too, as I tend to distract myself. Long walks help too. Preferably with a certain purpose, because just aimlessly wandering is a no go for me, but it might not be for you.

And, yes, eating things I shouldn't, because sometimes, comfort food just happens. Just as long as it doesn't occur all too often, who cares? So, there's that.

Doubt any of this is useful, but just wanted to let you know, you're not alone, and you don't have to kick yourself around for singing, dancing and doing it with a bottle in hand. We all have our moments, it seems... And when you're neurospicy, they're kind of big moments to be dealing with. So cut yourself a break.

Thank you that's very helpful I agree about people, I'm not a huge fan of the humans and we don't deserve the wonders that are animals. Research is my thing too, I started creating a database of all kinds of info about diabetes/food etc. and then I got overwhelmed because it got too large and I started to spiral so I've shelved that for now...

I do need to cut myself a break, I just need someone else to tell me that from time to time lol. It is good to know I'm not just dramatic, and that I'm not alone in my neurospicy-ness as I often feel at odds with the rest of the world.

 

[Antje77]

I think I needed someone to say it's ok to have a slip up once in a while as long as I get back on track afterwards as I don't accept it if its me saying it to myself lol.

Just to make sure it sinks in after others have already said so: Dear @Rushkami , it's perfectly ok to have the occasional meltdown including carbs and drinks, and especially if it involves dancing and singing!

If possible, you could see if there are some lower carb foods you could use if such a meltdown happens, but if not, I'd just let it happen and enjoy the part where it makes you feel better.
If it only happens very occasionally, there is no reason to expect it will do you harm in the long run, and it does make you feel better and lets out that steam.
Finding those coping mechanisms being neurospicy is what it's all about, and if this is yours, so be it.

 

[Rushkami]

Just to make sure it sinks in after others have already said so: Dear @Rushkami , it's perfectly ok to have the occasional meltdown including carbs and drinks, and especially if it involves dancing and singing!

If possible, you could see if there are some lower carb foods you could use if such a meltdown happens, but if not, I'd just let it happen and enjoy the part where it makes you feel better.
If it only happens very occasionally, there is no reason to expect it will do you harm in the long run, and it does make you feel better and lets out that steam.
Finding those coping mechanisms being neurospicy is what it's all about, and if this is yours, so be it.

Thanks Definitely only happens occasionally now. I feel better with these replies and I can relax a bit, which will help me stay on track better in the long run I think.

 

[jjraak]

@Rushkami , loving the responses so far.

Totally agree.

Many say this is marathon not a sprint.

Could any of us do the endless daily marathons some celebs etc have attempted and done...mmhh.

I very much doubt it, yet here we are doing our own diet version , day after sodding day.

Maybe see such 'free' moments as a drink station or over night stop.

A place where you can lay down your load for a while, enjoy what else life has to offer, remember who YOU are and why you're doing this,
Before kitting up and beginning the next leg of your personal marathon ?

Best wishes going forward.
And I doubt your alone, sure many of us have stopped for a break of some sorts in our own marathons.