I have not been professionally diagnosed as autistic, though I am awaiting the diagnostic process. I am wondering a bit about (what I think are) my autistic meltdowns, as they are almost the same as (what I think are) my panic attacks. People often call them panic attacks as well, also with no panic involved. In both cases I am shaking, hyperventilating, sweating more and some other things. As far as I remember my latest panic attack, I don’t think I was really craving having as few stimuli as possible and wasn’t crying either (both usually being the case with the autistic meltdowns).
So: how are your meltdowns like? How are they different from panic attacks for you?
Loud screaming and crying. Fist pounding on the table. Lots more crying.
Wow, I am unable to cry so I’m impressed when someone does it “easily”, does crying help to “let it out”?
Oh I don’t do it easily. That’s just when I have my big meltdowns. The small ones I can usually control until I am alone and can scream at the top of my lungs.
Honestly I wish I could do that. I struggle to show any emotion and when I have a melt down my face has a slight frown. Usually no one else knows there is a problem so it looks super weird in a social setting. I just push though and try to mask harder.