Autism and Anger.

[Steel Maiden]

Because of my autism, I find it extremely difficult to show my emotions outwardly. So if I'm depressed / anxious / etc, I can't show it, because I don't know how. So I end up storing all these emotions inside myself. Every couple of days, all these emotions come out in angry outbursts, where I will shout / scream, punch walls, and even hit myself. I usually do this on my own, but I have lashed out at people around me before in these outbursts.

How do I deal with these emotions / anger? Recently I cut the skin on my knuckles and bruised them from punching the walls, and I nearly smashed a glass against the wall.

[Cacoethes]

I used to make ice in the freezer and go outside and smash it against the ground. It was good because it didn't hurt anyone and it was only ice so its not dangerous if it smashes like glass would be.

[Steel Maiden]

That's a really good idea.

[nikki1922]

I'm a therapist for a child who has autism. He behaviours are poored out through anger. We do a lot of work on prevention. Practice practice practice things that help you through anger. Weather that be breathing, counting to 10 until you can focus in something healthy, yell into a pillow. Take time alone until the anger passes, or sitting on your hands and close your eyes until you are able to let the anger pass. It's really hard to do I know but anger is about control. Hope this helps n

[Steel Maiden]

Thanks Nikki. I will try hard.

I've had anger problems throughout my life. I've been expelled from school twice and suspended twice due to violence towards staff and pupils during meltdowns. I try really hard to control myself, but when I reach meltdown point, all I see is red, and I lose control.

An example is one of my suspension incidents. I was forced to play netball in secondary school, despite the fact that I could not cope with team sports. I was put in a really bad attack position. I had the ball into the game and there were three girls surrounding me, standing really close to me, waving their hands over me, blocking me. I started to hyperventilate and get really panicky because they were invading my personal space. One girl accidentally touched my face (I cannot cope with people touching my face AT ALL) and that pushed me over the top. I started screaming and I started punching and attacking the girl. I couldn't control myself. I was screaming and crying. I whacked her over the head and she fell down. I gave her a nosebleed. I realised what I had done and I ran out of the school onto a road and nearly got ran over. I ran onto the green and curled up on the ground, rocking back and forth, trying to calm down.

I ended up suspended for two weeks. I was 12 at the time, 4 years before I was diagnosed with Asperger's.

This is one of many, many meltdowns I've had. I've been taken under the Mental Capacity Act by the police a few times for meltdowns I've had at home and in public. I've assaulted my Mum four times.

I really need to learn how to control this, but I don't know how. It feels like a seizure, no control, total automatism.

[nikki1922]

They key is to know what makes you Angela and then put things in replace of that. Harder said then done I know.

[Steel Maiden]

I suppose you mean angry not Angela.

I will try. I'll ask my psychologist to work through it with me.

[Ellyx]

I can relate. Since i can remember, things would set me off.
When i entered my teens, it got alot worse, and i would literally fly off the handle at the smallest thing. This was due to being unable to cope with stress and it would boil over to the point where i would just lose control. I would do things such a jump up and down, punch walls scream and attack people. As much as i regret it now i often hurt my mum leaving her with bruises and things.

However in the last couple of years these "meltdowns" have been very much more under control. (It's not just the meltdowns, i have come a very long way in my ability to function, for example i can now handle social situations alot better etc)

The main thing i have found that helps to deal with this is to try and deal with stress on a day to day basis and work my emotions though as they come to me. A psychologist has been a massive help in me doing this, though i have to pay private for her. (I also find that by managing my stress and emotions better i have less problems with the psychosis)

[Steel Maiden]

^ thanks. That's good. I have a psychologist so I will ask him to help me like yours did.

I managed to get my boxing gloves on before I punched the walls yesterday, so I didn't hurt my knuckles. Although I don't know what the neighbours thought about me screaming swear words. I got p*ssed off with my sensory issues and being in supported housing with people who don't understand autism.

[startingagain]

Are you sure it is 'anger' and not as a result of sensory overload?