I have read about shutdowns and meltdowns. But I don’t actually get what that looks like in real time.
What I understand is that meltdowns is when someone loses control of their emotions.
Shutdowns are when someone loses the ability to perform certain functions, e.g. the ability to speak.
I was wondering if someone could give a more explicit example, of what that actually looks like?
Growing up, meltdowns for me were all out tantrums. Screaming, crying, tearing up the place. I remember it being described as a tasmanian devil came through the place. Now that I’m in my 20s, I rarely have meltdowns, but they have happened. Mostly due to too much stimulation of my emotions, I just lose control of them. At this point in my life, it’s mainly attached to romantic situations because they are probably the most alien and difficult situations for me to navigate. I would say that there is definitely an element of depression/anxiety included in them, however.
Shutdowns though… I’m not sure to be honest. There are days or even weeks where sometimes I’m just lost for motivation and I don’t want to interact with anyone. I’d rather be alone. But I’m not sure if that’s more of a bout of depression than a shutdown to be honest.