MOOD SWINGS

 

It’s not uncommon for a child with autism to experience frequent mood swings. J has them regularly. Sometimes the mood swing will result in a meltdown, sometimes not.

Her overwhelming emotions just take over, and at that point in time she will use some type of coping mechanism to deal with them.

The triggers are not always easy to spot, let alone stop! It may be something incredibly minor (to me at least) or something on a bigger scale and much more upsetting!

With the bigger scale situation this, in our case, will usually involve destroying or throwing objects, serious aggression, anger and complete red mist rage. Often with no build up at all!! No warning!

There's really not much we can do at this point except to ensure she is safe and just wait it out. For us, offering a cuddle or something will just totally infuriate her. I hate any form of restraint, but there have been times in the past that for everyone's safety we have had to hold her. I really hate that .

In the past, before diagnosis and understanding we, as parents, have been guilty of adding fuel to the fire so to speak. And by that I mean perhaps making an unreasonable threat in the hope of scaring her to stop. For example, "if you throw that one more time you are going straight to bed". She will then obviously fight the bedtime, and the original problem of throwing the item still hasn't been resolved and before you know it, there is a war!!

Its hard to remember its not about you and its even more difficult not to take it personally. I still struggle occasionally with this at times.

Understanding

J has told me many times in the past "I hate you". The first time she said it obviously made me incredibly upset, but with time I understand that her saying that is not a personal statement, its more that she hates being out of control of her emotions. at least that's what I tell myself anyway!

When J was a lot younger we were able to use distraction techniques .... a life saver back then. Nowadays, J would just laugh in our face and wouldn't fall for any type distraction!!

We are forever thinking on our feet as parents, and its hard work. Its easy to become complacent when perhaps you've had a good week or two, but in the back of your mind, you will still be on high alert!