The lived experience of meltdowns for autistic adults.

This study asked 32 autistic adults about what meltdowns feel like from the inside. They found that during meltdowns, people feel overwhelmed by too much information, sounds, or emotions. They experience very strong feelings like anger or fear, and have trouble thinking clearly. Many described feeling like they weren't themselves and saw meltdowns as a way their body releases built-up stress.

People often try to avoid situations that might cause meltdowns or find somewhere private when they feel one coming.

This qualitative study explored the subjective experience of meltdowns from the perspective of 32 autistic adults. Participants described meltdowns as overwhelming experiences characterized by sensory, informational, and emotional overload. Key themes included feelings of extreme emotions (anger, sadness, fear), cognitive difficulties with thinking and memory, and a sense of losing control or not being themselves. Participants viewed meltdowns as a way of releasing accumulated stress and emotional pressure.

Many employed avoidance strategies, such as removing themselves from triggering situations or seeking solitude when sensing an impending meltdown, to prevent harm to themselves or relationships. The findings provide valuable first-person insights into the internal experience of meltdowns, addressing a significant gap in autism research that has traditionally focused on external observations rather than lived experiences.

Findings suggest interventions should focus on early recognition of meltdown triggers, developing personalized coping strategies, and creating safe spaces for emotional regulation. Support should address both prevention strategies and post-meltdown recovery. Understanding the subjective experience can improve therapeutic relationships and reduce stigma around meltdowns.

Sample size of 32 limits generalizability. Study design and methodology not specified in abstract. No information provided about participant demographics, recruitment methods, or data analysis approach. Lack of comparison groups or validation of findings through other methods.

There is not a lot known about what it feels like for autistic people to have a meltdown. Past research has focused on what meltdowns are like for parents and what meltdowns look like from the outside without understanding what it is like for the person having the meltdown. We asked 32 autistic adults about what it is like for them to have a meltdown. We asked them to tell us about their thoughts and feelings about having a meltdown.

Then, we looked for themes in their responses that summarized the meltdown experience. Our findings showed that meltdowns hold different meaning to different people. During a meltdown, we found that most autistics described feeling overwhelmed by information, senses, and social and emotional stress. They often felt extreme emotions, such as anger, sadness, and fear, and had trouble with thinking and memory during the meltdown.

Participants described trying to stay in control of themselves, often feeling like they were not themselves during meltdowns. They described the meltdown as a way of letting go of or releasing the extreme emotions they felt. Participants tried to stay away from things or people that might trigger a meltdown or tried to make sure they were alone if they felt a meltdown may be coming as a way of avoiding harm-including harm to their bodies, their emotions, and their relationships. These findings offer an important look into what it is like for autistic adults to have meltdowns from their own point of view.