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Meltdowns are a psychological phenomenon characterized by an extreme, uncontrollable release of emotion as a result of a person being overwhelmed.

The occurrence of meltdowns has been observed only in people on the autism spectrum.

Causes
The most common known cause of meltdowns is sensory overload. An extreme negative sensory input triggers the fight-or-flight response, and the action takes the form of a meltdown. The fight-or-flight response may also be triggered by a sudden change, particularly to routine.

Meltdowns are rarely triggered instantaneously. Instead, a person who experiences a meltdown is typically worn out first, by prolonged sensory and social input, diminishing the person's capacity for self-regulation. Once a person is unable to self-regulate, they are susceptible to the triggers of a meltdown, as they are unable to use any coping mechanisms to prevent it.

Effects
Someone experiencing a meltdown may stim vigorously or even uncontrollably, as an attempt to self-regulate and return to a neutral state.

Self-reporting indicates that a meltdown is extremely unpleasant for the person experiencing it.

The active part of a meltdown lasts only minutes or seconds, but the individual who experiences it may spend minutes or hours afterward fatigued, emotionally drained, temporarily nonverbal, more sensitive to sensory input, or with any combination of these effects.

Associated phenomena
Meltdowns are often mistaken for tantrums or shutdowns. Among autistics, shutting down is a likely result of being overwhelmed in the absence of a meltdown. There is no demonstrated link between autism and tantrums.

Tantrums
While it is possible for an autistic child (or teenager or adult) to throw tantrums, they are distinct from meltdowns in that a tantrum is an intentional display of emotion, while a meltdown requires a loss of control.

Tantrums are often caused by a child not getting what they want. While the same type of input may lead to meltdowns, the underlying cause is normally a violation of routine or perceived rules.

Shutdowns
Occupational burnout or "shutting down" is distinct from meltdowns...