What is a "meltdown"?

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I don't think I get these, whatever they are. I'm just curious because I see them frequently pegged as having something to do with AS.

Having a complete freak-out. Yelling, crying (maybe), swearing, possibly throwing things and the like.
Losing control.

It's pretty much when people "lose their cool" and freak out. Think of a child who's having a tantrum in public, it could be like that. When people have meltdowns, they no longer care who is around and if the time for it is appropriate or not, if they are pushed to the limit, they'll have a fit.

The above 2 posters explained it already I used to called them psycho-bursts myself, before i got involved in WP. call it "boiling-point" , "the last drop" that one moment when reality pushes you around to the point you can't take it.

Edit: now we need a 19 year old person to reply as well.

I had a temper and as a kid I used to get myself in trouble for lashing out at other children, but it mostly boiled down to my fiercely competitive nature. I just saw people in my way, and if they beat me at something or made me feel like a loser I'd at least sock 'em one to level things out. I eventually learned better.

I used to get agitated if someone suddenly touched me in the back but I don't recall ever having the sort of "meltdown" that people are discussing, at least after early childhood.

I wouldn't say I'd had one either until just a few months ago. Although I have had small bursts of 'seeing red' where I'd do something I regret. But it was only momentary and was not nearly as intense as happened recently.

I'll oblige you all and be the token 19 year old
I don't typically have melt downs. Occasionally I'll get angry about something, but I'm never too out of control. If I'm really upset I tend to shut down more than melt down. I stop speaking, become less and less aware of what's going on around me, and if I still haven't calmed down, I'll fall asleep. It's weird.

Yay, 6 different people posted and ages: 18,19,20,21,22,23 xD

Well it would fall into the definition there, wouldn't it, is it only called a meltdown if you virtually lose control completely? if so i've had quite a few, but i usually just stand very very still, looking away from people and when i cross eyes with them in such a situation, they'll later tell me that i looked as if i was about to kill them with my gaze. If it doesn't get solved by just abstracting myself from reality, then i'll run away from the place completely and might hurt people who stand on the way...

^ Actually that's really awesome that you have the presence of mind to run away. When it has happened to me, my mind doesn't even work that much to realize that I am losing control and I should leave. Its almost a totally primal outbusrt of emotion.. no thoughts attached.

This post serves no purpose whatsoever except to throw off your pattern.

^ Jerkface

I don't let myself get angry any more because I dislike losing control so much. I get annoyed quite often, but almost never angry. I used to get into really quite violent fights with my brother - usually involved him trying to physically force me to do (or not do) something. It was like this blinding rage would boil up from some tiny crystal deep inside that went from solid to gas in an instant.

I suppose if someone tried to grab or force me in a similar way today, I'd probably have a similar reaction regardless of my resolution not to get angry.

When I'm having one, don't push me over the edge or I will get violent. Just "leave me alone." Is that hard to understand? And why do I have to be the bad guy just because someone didn't listen to those words? What do they expect?

I used to go into violent rages, one time in year 8 this kid grabbed my bus ticket, next thing I know I'm on top of him strangling him. It took ten people to drag me off him. I even went off at one of my teachers. I've hurled chairs across rooms at people, tables and even my school bag. One time I through my school bag at someone, it missed, hit the wall and left a hole. I've even thrown people. I haven't been angry like that though since I was 18. Interesting that it stopped when I left school. I suppose my rages would count as Meltdowns. Luckily my friends know when to shut up and leave me alone.