as someone with c-ptsd, i would say that these experiences have a fair amount of overlap. (and if youâre both autistic and have a trauma disorder, the symptoms can bleed together). a good way to differentiate between sensory meltdowns/shutdowns vs panic attack/flashbacks are by identifying the triggers & root cause:
sensory meltdown/shutdowns:
Triggered by sensory stimuli.Â
Usually manifests as a growing feeling of irritation, discomfort, distress, overwhelmedness in response to noises, lights, textures, etc.Â
Caused by sensory processing issues, which some people (esp autistic people) are born with.
panic attack/flashbacks*:
Triggered by certain things (words, behaviors, sensory stimuli) that relate to past trauma.
Often experienced as the recall of memories and emotional states, the onset of strong unexpected physical or emotional distress.
Caused by exposure to past trauma.
Anyway, these two things can definitely be experienced in similar ways. Both can include:
Feelings of distress, being overwhelmed, strong emotions such fear, anger, urgency.
Physical symptoms such as difficulty walking, breathing
Loss of executive functions. Itâs really hard to just sit quietly or run errands etc when something has pressed the Big Red Button in your brain, no matter what specific type of button it is.
Also, autistic folks are vulnerable to trauma, so some people experience both autism & ptsd.
Later Iâll write a post about Complex PTSD (from exposure to chronic trauma, often throughout childhood).
I also recommend googling emotional flashbacks, which is a term more people need to know.
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