#shutdowns

[theorahsart]

Here's a comic I made a few years ago, explaining autistic meltdowns and shutdowns in detail! They can be pretty different to what you might expect- I didnt even realise I was experiencing them for years. I thought they were panic attacks that just happened to last much longer than an average person's, or that I was very sensitive- newsflash, it was actually autism lol

[my-autism-adhd-blog]

Meltdowns and Shutdowns

The Autistic Teacher

[h34vybottom]

This post and everything below are about service shutdowns in 2026. As always, I can't find every shutdown on my own, so please feel free to send any information you can find. 2025 post chain here.

[no-brain-just-good-omens]

born to have screaming crying throwing things meltdowns, forced to shut down instead

[zebulontheplanet]

Please, I beg of you people, stop comparing your shutdowns to catatonia. Yes, some doctors believe autism shutdowns are related to catatonia, or they believe that they can turn into catatonic episodes, but I can assure you that the one time where you were emotionally disregulated and had a shutdown, probably wasn’t catatonia.

The big difference is, catatonia happens always. No matter if you’re disregulated, no matter if you’re stressed, no matter if this or that. It happens always, no matter what. Catatonia is rare. Catatonia is not common as people think. Catatonia happens all the time. Can disregulation cause it to happen and stressful events can cause it to happen? Yes. But happens always still.

Shutdowns are different from catatonia. Catatonia is serious. If you believe you have it, reach out to a doctor, reach out to a professional. Please don’t use peoples posts to self diagnose. Please don’t use MY posts to self diagnose it.

Catatonia was DISABLING to me for a VERY long time. It wasn’t until medication that I started getting better. Now I’m on a very big deal medication. A medication that could cause addiction. A medication that’s being closely monitored. A medication that a lot of people refuse because of some of the risks. Please remember that Catatonia is serious. It’s life threatening. It’s disabling. It’s so many of these things.

[itsaspectrumcomic]

Hi!!! I was wondering if you could tell me a bit about what shutdowns are like, since all the stuff I find online is really vague and not useful and I think I might be experiencing them but I'm not sure. For example, if someone starts crying, I will go blank. Stop feeling, other than a detached not-unpleasent feeling, like just existing in a void with a slight pinkish tint (pinkish would be pleasant, gray unpleasent), and just go blank. is that a shut down, or smth else? thanks! and take your time in answering if you need!

Hello! So a shutdown is basically a meltdown but internal, so the big emotions you might feel during a meltdown get directed inwards instead of outward. For me, I get very quiet and withdrawn, have trouble putting my thoughts into sentences, and sometimes I'm unable to move and all I can do is lie there. My mind might go totally blank, but it might also get really busy and feel like static in my head. It's definitely not a pleasant feeling.

I'm not a professional so I can't say whether what you're experiencing is a shutdown or something else, but your description did make me think more of disassociation. That's when you start feeling disconnected from your body, detached from your feelings, or like things around you aren't real. It can be your mind's way of protecting itself from difficult feelings or situations so it might not always be negative (although it can also be quite scary as well).

Again I don't know if that's what you're experiencing but it's worth looking into if it sounds familiar, and hopefully bringing it up with a therapist or someone you trust if you can.

I hope that helps ❤️

[ijustshotjanedoeagain]

I had a shutdown last week I just need to get back on track

[askanautistic]

Meltdown/shutdown resource.

I wrote this years ago, and thought I'd repost it as a standalone post instead of an answer to a question. I've included a few updates. This can be used to create your own 'pick 'n' mix' of instructions, to help you notice or to help others to notice signs that you are beginning to get overwhelmed, the reasons why you might be becoming overwhelmed, or that you are in a state of shutdown/meltdown, and to know what to do and what not to do. Some suggestions might be repeated and seem contradictory (because one person might need to be left alone when becoming overwhelmed and someone else might need reassurance). You can also add in anything else you think of if creating your own resource, as this isn't an exhaustive list.

I might struggle with: - being too hot/cold. - noisy environments. - sudden noises. - bright lights. - too much visual input or movement (busy/chaotic environments). - too much social interaction. - unexpected events. - changes to plans. - Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.

Signs to look out for: - I may become irritable. - I may become withdrawn/quieter than usual. - I may stim more or less than usual, or differently [you could be specific about this, explainng the exact stims to look out for if any]. - I may become (more) aversive to touch (than usual). - I may seem ‘sulky’ or ‘whiney’. - I may act more ‘childish’ (than usual). - I may become restless or more fidgety (than usual). - I may ‘huff’ and sigh a lot. - I may become uncooperative. - I may cover my ears/close my eyes/turn away. - I might become physically aggressive. - I might become verbally aggressive. - I might scream/shout/cry. - I might become nonspeaking (or less able to speak). - I might not be able to move independently. - I may seem anxious/panicked. - I may exhibit a flat effect. - I might bolt. - I might keep going to the toilet.

Don’t: - Panic, or get angry or upset. - Touch me. - Leave me by myself. - Talk too loudly. - Talk to me. - Ask open questions. - Stop me from stimming or stop my sensory seeking behaviours. - Prevent me from avoiding sensory stimulus. - Involve other people. - Box me in/block exits.

Do:  - Keep me safe. - Talk to me. - Reassure me. - Leave me alone. - Offer a quiet and private space. - Give me something to drink and a snack (without asking). - Explain where we are going (or what you are going to do). - Ask closed questions (questions requiring yes or no answers, or give me limited options to choose from). - Gently guide me away from crowded or noisy areas. - Remind me to use/Give me my headphones/earplugs/sunglasses. - Remind me to use my/give me my stim tools. - Help me to keep warm or to cool down. - (Ask if I would like you to) hold my hand tightly/hug me tightly (apply deep pressure). - Use AAC (use specifics: tell them what kind of communication you prefer and if you need them to find an app on your phone, tell them which one - you could even include the icon for it). I hope this is helpful to people. Ben Tip jar.