Overwhelmed, shutdown

Post Reply New Topic

I've been stuck in shutdown for 2 days. I haven't been able to talk or even write most time. It doesn't last this long. I can't go outside, the dishes are dirty, the litter box needs cleaned. I hope I'm coming out of it. There's just too many people around and too many things to do. I don't want friends or to talk to them. I just want to go to class and then go home. There's nowhere quiet, not even the library, people everywhere, nowhere to sit, everything's bright. Come home to relax and it's a mess and I have to fix it but then I give up. Too many things, too many people, too many worries. Maybe I'm sick, maybe I'm crazy. I hate the thoughts. I don't want to be here but I don't want to be reminded. I stare at the wall, hours.

you wrote "needs cleaned". that's how we talk in western PA. in the rest of the country they say "needs cleaning" or "needs to be cleaned".

does taking a nap help? or watching a favorite movie or listening to your favorite music? cuddling with the cat?

Well she said she can hardly write or talk so hey let's not nit pick. Hope you feel better soon. I know when I am overwhelmed nothing seems to help it just takes time. Try not to be too hard on yourself.

Hi, I may not have the right answers for you but I can tell you what is working for me at this time. The list you gave is very similar to mine. And I had total freeze for a couple of days and really rough going before that came. I've been through them before, but this time it kicked my ass.

I am going through some major changes right now. I don't like major changes. Not when everything is chugging along fine. I don't have depression to deal with, mine seems to come from what is probably AS. I am not diagnosed, but everything seems to fit.

But in any case this stress had me shut off. I couldn't even make it here to WP, which usually helps in some way.

Find something that is YOUR's. cathylynn has the jist of it....

Figure out what is the favorite, most familiar, safest thing in your life and go tunnel vision for it when you are in this kind of a shut off. Give yourself the gift of enjoying whatever that is to the exclusion of the world. Yes, be responsible and set a timer for this. (there is danger of getting lost in your fav thing and that is not productive)

I give myself this gift/reward so I can have that one thing that is mine no matter what/where/who is bugging me. That one thing to look forward to each day. As I do... a little at a time, I am able to face up to and attack all that other bothering stuff that has to be done. I feel reenergized because of it And know it is there at the end of my day. ...mine! and no one can mess with it.

My stall out was pretty severe. I am blessed to have a spiritual friend who shares a favorite and quietly reminds me of what is important. If there is someone you have around that you can share with, it can make a big difference in 'getting back on track'.

My wisdom is limited, sorry.
I just read your post and wanted to stop by and let you know what is working for me.

Balance and Harmony Mmuffinn ~ do well!

I live alone so if I'm not at school then I'm doing what I want to do for the most part. I've had tv or music on most of the time, my cats demand cuddle time, maybe it just takes longer this time. I've slept a lot, even during the day. I can't really call anyone or go anywhere since I'm still not talking. I have class tomorrow but I don't know about it. I guess if I'm still not talking, but able to go, I can just give the teacher a letter. He knows I have an ASD, he's a psychologist too when he's not teaching, so he might get it. I don't know about the other students. I think my mind is a bit clearer, though, so maybe I'll be talking by tomorrow.
I guess it's just been too much with all the changes, moving and going to school, and all the social contact. I've been "popular" with the young ones because I guess I seem smarter because I'm older and have done more school. They all want to talk to me and study with me and I really don't want to. I just don't really like having to socialize with other people and it can be overstimulating and then I shut down and here I am. And, of course, the fluorescent lighting and constant hum of people talking doesn't help any. And I don't have much time to devote to my special interests compared to usual. I've been acting like myself, quirks and all, in hopes that it might keep people away but it's doing the opposite. I haven't been hiding my stims or suppressing my tics or trying to behave in the most socially attractive fashion, in fact I've been my bossy and arrogant self. That usually keeps people far away, but not this time, my classmates have some sort of fascination with "the weird smart lady". I guess it doesn't matter if I go to class and can't speak, I am "the weird smart lady" after all. But, of course, it might make them want to talk to me even more in this strange backwards school.
I want to be something in life, but how can I? I doubt anyone would take the weird smart lady that has facial tics, rocks back and forth, looks ret*d/crazy, and loses the ability to speak without any physical reason very seriously anyhow.