What happens in a shutdown for you?

[An Arctic fox]

I'm not sure if I have experienced a shut down so I am wondering what others experiences are.

What i usually consider a meltdown is when I get overwhelmed and then I stop talking and I struggle to talk if asked to and I really want to run and then if I csnt stop myself I run and then I cry and that's what I usually experience but sometimes I get overwhelmed and then I just stop talking and my brain doesnt want me to talk and so I cant really. So is that a shutdown and what are your shutdowns like (and what are your meltdowns like if you want to say)

 

[tlc]

Pretty much it. Stop talking. Stop listening. Stop moving. Just sit motionless and stare into space for an undefined period of time.

 

[An Arctic fox]

Pretty much it. Stop talking. Stop listening. Stop moving. Just sit motionless and stare into space for an undefined period of time.

So it seems I usually have shutdowns that become meltdowns

Also so then what is the difference between shutdowns and dissociating? I would think maybe because dissociating involves more pyshical sensations and not thinking

 

[china autie]

My shutdowns invoke no talk and sleeping for several days. I only get up for the essentials. After a shutdown, I am more functional.

My meltdowns involve crying, cursing, telling. After a meltdown, I feel worse and may or may not go into shutdown.

 

[An Arctic fox]

Ok thank you for the response

 

[BraidedPony]

I often experience something that I recently suspect is a shutdown.
When I'm overwhelmed, I get very sleepy where I can't keep my eyes open. If I try to keep them open, my eyes kind of roll, like I'm going to pass out.
It isn't unpleasant, i just fall asleep for 30 minutes to 2 hours. I don't move when I sleep like this, so when I lie down I make sure my spine is in alignment.
I don't know how well or if I can talk during this shutdown because I'm by myself.
This mostly happens when I have things to do but just don't know how or where to start. Or if I've done something really difficult like leave the apartment complex, I will come home and sleep.

 

[An Arctic fox]

Interesting, I'd think that might be delayed shutdown or shutdown though I dont know that much about shutdowns.

 

[SusanLR]

I often experience something that I recently suspect is a shutdown.
When I'm overwhelmed, I get very sleepy where I can't keep my eyes open. If I try to keep them open, my eyes kind of roll, like I'm going to pass out.
It isn't unpleasant, i just fall asleep for 30 minutes to 2 hours. I don't move when I sleep like this, so when I lie down I make sure my spine is in alignment.
I don't know how well or if I can talk during this shutdown because I'm by myself.
This mostly happens when I have things to do but just don't know how or where to start. Or if I've done something really difficult like leave the apartment complex, I will come home and sleep.

I experience this have to sleep also when I'm overwhelmed at trying to do something or have
done something that stressed me like being out in a crowd too long or a doctor's appointment, etc.
I can't keep my eyes open. So I come home and make my bed comfy, put on some ambient music, dim lights and sleep. I feel much better when I wake up.
I always just thought my mind was tired and telling me what it needs.

What I call a shutdown is usually in response to too much stimuli, visual or
auditory or an emotional reaction that could lead to a meltdown where I want to fuss, verbally
fight or break something but I supress it and find myself not wanting to do anything except
not talk, be quiet, withdraw, just kinda go blank.

I can also get a type of dissociation that is physically unpleasant.
Called derealization. Everything feels and sounds surreal like in a dream.
I just find a place to sit down away from everything when that happens.
And it is usually a state of anxiety or too many mixed sounds and visual movements around me.
If it doesn't go away soon, my doctor prescribed taking an antianxiety med if needed.

 

[An Arctic fox]

Yeah that's when what I think shutdowns happen for me but thats usually before a meltdown and then I come out of it and run away

Yeah I get derealization to though usually just depersonalization and getting really unfocused and not thinking which I think is dissociating, the first one and the third one happen when I'm trying to resist switching and the second or one or both of the other 2 happens during a switch (DID stuff).

 

[Cazelle]

Pretty much it. Stop talking. Stop listening. Stop moving. Just sit motionless and stare into space for an undefined period of time.

This is what I experience too - I never knew what it was until very recently! Sometimes I think I am not even aware that it is happening.

 

[Gracey]

I'm not sure of the official line or description of a shut down.

I tend to believe it " does what it says on the tin"

to shut down.

Lately, I don't experience it all at the same time.

I liken it to 'low power mode' where non essential functions (according to me)
will be turned off one by one.

speech might be one of my first things affected.
I think I switch to nodding or that 'uh-huh' to mean yes.
real basic communication or one word in answer.

if I don't pay attention to what my brain is signalling and continue in the situation I'm in, at the same level, doing the same things.

that basic communication can go as far as switching off completely.
I have nothing to say and no urge to try.
just really weary.

 

[Progster]

A shut down would for me be a period of needing quiet and rest after a busy and stressful day after a lot of mixed stimuli of one kind or another and needing to be alone - being in a crowded, noisy place for a long time for example, or a lot going on with work or people. I can literally no longer talk and give monosyllabic responses, get very tired and just want to go and lie down in bed on my own - I usually feel better the next day after some down time alone and a sleep.

 

[An Arctic fox]

I'm not sure of the official line or description of a shut down.

I tend to believe it " does what it says on the tin"

to shut down.

Lately, I don't experience it all at the same time.

I liken it to 'low power mode' where non essential functions (according to me)
will be turned off one by one.

speech might be one of my first things affected.
I think I switch to nodding or that 'uh-huh' to mean yes.
real basic communication or one word in answer.

if I don't pay attention to what my brain is signalling and continue in the situation I'm in, at the same level, doing the same things.

that basic communication can go as far as switching off completely.
I have nothing to say and no urge to try.
just really weary.

Oh if that's a shutdown ive definitely had that and have those kinda often

 

[dragonfire42]

When I have what I identify as a shutdown, my brain kind of goes on autopilot. I'll be able to do basic things, but I won't be at all aware of anything. For example, when I was in school, I could get to a class I went to every day but I would have no recollection of doing so until the point where I "woke up" and was mostly there. Or if I'm having a meal at a restaurant, I'll be able to keep eating but won't be aware of anything going on around me.

 

[Wolfnox]

I have mine when i over stress. Its been awhile since one has happened. But i remeber just crying, shaking, and being unable to move. Not fun.

 

[hatfullofrain]

I've been experiencing this a lot lately. I've been putting music on and just lying in the bath (a warm full bath) just staring into space. Or i just lie on the sofa with music on staring into space.

I just don't know what to do with myself.

I feel a lot of pain in my arms and legs when I'm overwhelmed. It's like I tense up and can't find the motivation to move.

Sometimes I just lie in bed, head racing. Just wide awake. It's more than insomnia, it's complete exhaustion, but completely switched on, but jammed and unable to think straight, unable to relax, unable to get up and go and do something.

 

[Cazelle]

Sometimes I just lie in bed, head racing. Just wide awake. It's more than insomnia, it's complete exhaustion, but completely switched on, but jammed and unable to think straight, unable to relax, unable to get up and go and do something.

I'm like that. In fact, I think I am fighting a shutdown right now. The kids left for school an hour ago and I am back in bed. I just... can't. Everything is overwhelming, tiring, confusing. I kinda want to cry.

 

[Wolfnox]

If it helps im sick and cant do much either.

 

[Reu]

When I shutdown I have a hard time focusing on a conversation. It’s like watching everything happen instead of being involved. I find it difficult to speak and tend to not talk at all. When I do talk when I’m shutting down, it is in a very low volume. Basically I shut off and I am not ‘present.’

For me a meltdown involves losing control. It happens with sensory overload or stress overload. I hit a point where I can’t handle my agitation anymore. I will see every little thing that’s out of place and conversation agitates me even more. My senses are extremely heightened and I tend to snap at people. I get very angry and often start to cry. I feel like I need to break stuff or just run away.

 

[Tony Ramirez]

Lately I have been having social burnout issues. Being around so many social evens and getting sick of all the small talk then the two words and then they are done talking to me I have been very tired lately. Now I am attending less of them.

I also don't take walks everyday and have been saying up late and getting up late. Even getting out of bed is sometimes an struggle. I still do it and walk but I am not as motivated as much as I was when I first started to socialize so I am going into a shutdown as the OP says.