A shutdown has all the same overwhelming and distressing feelings as a meltdown, but instead of the feelings being expressed outwardly, they are trapped inside. They can be triggered by all the same things as a meltdown, such as sensory overwhelm or a stressful situation. They can happen separately, or before or after a meltdown.
WHEN YOU HAVE A SHUTDOWN YOU MIGHT:
- Find it difficult to speak, or you might not talk at all.
- Want to hide away somewhere dark and alone, or curl up in bed.
- Feel like you suddenly have no energy at all and want to sleep, or find it difficult to move.
- Feel ‘spaced out’ and detached from what is happening.
Shutdowns feel very much like your brain is a computer that has become too overloaded and isn’t functioning well anymore, and the only option is to close down the different apps and turn the power off for a little while to prevent it from completely crashing.
Shutdowns are often more subtle, at least from an outside perspective, than meltdowns. But, they’re still a reaction to big emotions like stress and overwhelm when the body’s fight, flight or freeze ‘survival mechanism’ is activated. It’s kind of like how a computer that becomes overheated from trying to run too many processes at once may suddenly shut down or close all but the most basic functions. During autistic shutdown, a person may be so overwhelmed that they seem to ‘check out,’ and struggle to perform even ‘basic’ functions like communication or movement.
What Do Shutdown and Meltdowns Look like in Adult Autism? – Shimmer ADHD Coaching
Things That Can Help When You Have a Shutdown
- Prioritise getting to a space where you feel safe.
- Do things that help you regulate.
- Seek safe company if you need it.
- Communicative Accommodations: Having note cards, notes written in a phone, etc., can aid in communication in the moment if a meltdown or shutdown happens around other people. These could explain what is happening and what is needed in order to self regulate in case you’re unable to communicate your needs verbally.
- Do what feels right for the individual: For some people this could be deep pressure from a sensory aid or another person; for others, it could be to be left completely alone. They might want to turn off the lights, make the space quiet, or take time alone. Other self regulatory tools include stimming, breathing, and even distraction. What works for each person varies greatly.
- Accept and ride it out: While self-regulation or co-regulation are eventually the goal, meltdowns or shutdowns are inevitable sometimes. Part of moving through them is accepting the feeling and acknowledging that will not feel like that forever. Meltdowns and shutdowns are intense, but they do pass. Sometimes the answer is to ride the wave until it eventually places you back on shore.
- Avoid self injurious behaviors: Sometimes the person may have behaviors that could be harmful to themselves or others. If possible, it could be safer to transfer the energy to a pillow or other soft, inanimate objects. Or, the person may need help moving to a safer location. These behaviors are heavily stigmatized, but they’re not something to be ashamed of. It is important to accommodate as needed and consider asking a professional for help.
What Do Shutdown and Meltdowns Look like in Adult Autism? – Shimmer ADHD Coaching
Shutdown vs Meltdown
Yet, shutdowns are an effect of sensory overload, just like a meltdown is.
Autism Shutdown vs Meltdown: What’s the Difference? | And Next Comes L – Hyperlexia Resources
There are a few similarities between a meltdown and a shutdown. For instance, both are an extreme reaction to high levels of stress or to the accumulation of issues and overwhelming sensory input over time. In other words, they both result from sensory overload.
It’s also important to note that both a meltdown and a shutdown are usually out of control of the autistic individual. They don’t have a meltdown or a shutdown on purpose nor can they control these responses.
Essentially, meltdowns and shutdowns indicate that the autistic individual can no longer cope and has reached a crisis point. However, there are important differences between the two that you should be aware of.
Autism Shutdown vs Meltdown: What’s the Difference? | And Next Comes L – Hyperlexia Resources
Dino Brain has six protective responses to choose from: Fight, Flight, Flood, Fawn, Flop or Freeze
Fight and Flight responses are usually known as meltdowns. In self-defense we either fight the attacker or run away from it.
Flood and Fawn responses are a call for help, which I call ‘Hero Hunting’. Flood is a big emotional response where we might become a wailing snot monster to encourage others to come and protect us. Fawn is a people pleasing response, where we try to make the attacker happy in the hope that they’ll stop hurting us and protect us instead.
Flop and Freeze responses are usually known as shutdowns. We play dead so we are not of any interest to the attacker. Flop is where you can feel a meltdown inside, you show nothing on the outside, so your attacker won’t see you as a threat and will leave you alone. Freeze is where Dino Brain switches off your body, and sometimes your brain as well, so you become very still and of no interest to the attacker. You might even fall asleep, or find that you are awake but cannot move or respond.
Each person’s Dino Brain has access to the selection of all six responses. Sometimes, Dino Brain manages to choose a response that they feel is appropriate to the situation they are dealing with. However, you might have a Dino Brain that tends to activate one or two of the responses more than the others.
The ONLY decision Dino Brain can make is which protective mechanism to use – Fight, Flight, Flood, Fawn, Flop or Freeze.
It can choose a visible one – Fight, Flight or Flood, which are usually labelled as meltdowns. It can choose a more hidden or invisible one – Fawn, Flop or Freeze, which are usually labelled as shutdowns. The choice might depend on the situation, or it might be that your Dino Brain favours one option more often than others. (You can read more about shutdowns here if your Dino Brain favours those.)
Resources
- Stress Responses and Autism: Fight: Meltdown, Flight: Elope/Bolt, Freeze: Shutdown, Fawn: Camouflage/Mask
- Autism and Shutting Down – My Experience with Shutdowns as an Autistic Adult – Neurodivergent Rebel
- Looking After Your Autistic Self | Jessica Kingsley Publishers – USA
