How To Deal With Autism Anger In Adults: Managing Anger For Individuals With Autism
Autism spectrum disorder, often shortened to ASD or referred to as autism, is a neurodevelopmental condition and form of neurodiversity often associated with children. However, autism can also have significant impacts on adults. This condition can result in differences in how Autistic adults perceive and interact with the world, which can sometimes result in tension, miscommunication, and anger. Understanding anger and its potential connections with autism may help Autistic individuals or their loved ones find support.
What is autism?
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder, meaning symptoms are present from early childhood, though autism can also not be diagnosed until adulthood for various reasons. Autism symptoms are often classified into one of two categories: social impairment and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Social impairment can involve difficulty recognizing social cues and forming close relationships, while restricted and repetitive behaviors can be exhibited as a desire to adhere to a strict routine and hyperfocus on particular areas of interest.
Understanding the experience of autism anger and the importance of communication
Research indicates that people with autism may have a lower frustration tolerance for various reasons, potentially leading them to more frequently experience anger outbursts and have difficulties with anger management. However, there are several strategies for helping people with autism manage anger and reduce anxiety that can lead to anger. Below are potential connections to consider.
How sensory overload can impact emotional experiences in adults with autism
Autistic people may be more sensitive to their external environment and, therefore, more likely to experience sensory overload than neurotypical people. Situations in which people without autism may not be impacted can be an intense sensory experience for Autistic people, whether they involve bright lights, crowded environments, or unexpected noises. Sensory overload can cause a heightened emotional experience, which may lead to increased frustration levels.
The role of communication in managing autism anger
Difficulty in recognizing and appropriately communicating emotion can lead to frustration and irritation in Autistic adults. Alternative communication methods like assistive devices and visual supports may facilitate dialogue and bridge a communication gap. Developing effective strategies for Autistic individuals to communicate with those around them may prevent anger issues from escalating.
Relaxation techniques to reduce anxiety in Autistic adults: Deep breathing, sensory calming, and more
People with autism who are quick to anger may benefit from working to develop healthier coping mechanisms for managing autism anger. These techniques can include deep breathing, sensory calming, and practicing mindfulness and other grounding strategies.
Deep breathing
Deep breathing exercises are an effective relaxation technique, as they can de-escalate a body’s physiological response to a stressful situation. One effective technique is known as the “four four four” method, in which a person breathes in for a count of four, holds their breath for a count of four, and then breathes out for a count of four. Belly breathing, in which a person intentionally tries to fill their stomach with air, may also be beneficial.
Sensory calming to reduce anxiety
Because sensory overload can lead to a heightened emotional experience for adults with autism, employing sensory calming measures may reduce instances of angry outbursts. Common sensory calming techniques can involve using weighted blankets and other relaxation tools, listening to calming music, or enabling “stimming,” repetitive self-soothing motions, using fidget tools. Sensory input can also be reduced by dimming lights or removing excessive noise from an Autistic person’s immediate environment.
Other relaxation techniques
Relaxation techniques that are effective for non-autistic adults may also work well for adults with autism. Connecting to one’s body and the present moment through mindfulness can help someone turn their focus away from whatever may be causing anger or irritation. Progressive muscle relaxation, in which a person focuses on tensing and releasing different muscle groups in succession, can also help to ground someone experiencing anger, regardless of their neurodiversity status.
Practical tools for managing anger in Autistic adults
Autistic adults and their loved ones can take straightforward steps to reduce frustration in daily life. Learning to recognize emerging signs of irritation can be beneficial, as a person with autism can temporarily remove themselves from a situation and process their emotions before anger escalates. Creating a structured routine may reduce anxiety, which can have a marked impact on irritability and frustration.
Mental health support for adults with autism
Living with autism in a world designed for neurotypical people can be isolating. Connecting with a mental health professional with experience working with Autistic people may be beneficial. Therapists can help people with autism more effectively recognize and process their emotional experiences, including those related to anger.
Because of difficulties understanding social cues and the increased effort often required for social interaction among Autistic people, people with autism may be hesitant at the thought of engaging in traditional in-person therapy. Online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may break down some of those barriers. With online therapy, a client can speak to their therapist in whatever medium they feel most comfortable, including video chat, phone, and in-app messaging options. In addition, online therapy may be more cost-effective.
Researchers have found that online therapy can have comparable effects to traditional in-person therapy when addressing a range of mental health conditions and life concerns. One study specifically examined the impact of completing a course of online therapy on people with neurodevelopmental conditions, including autism, and found that online therapeutic intervention improved outcomes for Autistic people.
Takeaway
People with autism may encounter difficulties understanding and processing their emotions and navigating social situations. These complications can sometimes lead to frustration and anger. However, there are several strategies Autistic people can employ to control their anger. Speaking to an online therapist can be beneficial in helping people with autism more effectively recognize and work through their anger.
Frequently asked questions
Below are some frequently asked questions about how to deal with autism anger in adults.
What is anger rumination in autism and mental health?
Anger rumination, for both Autistic people and non-Autistic people, refers to the tendency to dwell on previous experiences with situations that led to anger or frustration. Rumination differs from processing in that individuals who are ruminating typically do not objectively assess their situation or work through their intense emotions but may become angry all over again. Rumination may be more common in Autistic individuals and may cause anger management to be more challenging.
What is looping in autism?
Looping is a term sometimes used to describe the repetitive thought patterns or behaviors that may be more typical among people with autism. Similar to rumination, looping can result in an Autistic person becoming mentally “stuck” on a particular experience or concept, which may lead to increased frustration and anger. Working with a therapist trained in cognitive-behavioral therapy may help people with autism recognize when they may be engaging in looping thoughts.
How to calm down autistic rage?
Autistic rage is usually part of a meltdown caused by emotional or sensory overwhelm. A person in the midst of a meltdown may have communication difficulties, so trying to calm them through complex conversation isn't the best idea. Deep breathing exercises or physical exercise may help a person calm down. If a person is overwhelmed by their environment, then stepping outside or moving to a quieter location may help. Because a person in this state often feels sensory overwhelm, hugging or touching them without getting permission first may contribute to the overwhelm and worsen their upset.
How do adults with autism manage anger?
Autistic adults who have trouble managing anger may want to attend therapy to learn coping strategies and ways to relieve stress before it builds up and creates anger or a meltdown. Many people with autism have to put more effort into learning anger management strategies than others, because they lack self-awareness of their own emotions. That means they may not recognize they are angry until they have flown into a rage. In addition to therapy, another recommendation is to practice mindfulness, which can help a person become more aware of their emotional responses over time, so they can contend with them earlier on when they arise.
What does autism anger look like?
Some people with autism spectrum disorders experience seemingly sudden anger episodes. These episodes are often called meltdowns, but meltdown isn't an official diagnostic term. Not all meltdowns involve anger. A meltdown can also involve fear or sadness. Meltdowns are often caused by overwhelm, whether that is emotional or sensory. An overload of sounds, sights, social interaction, and emotions can trigger anger in a meltdown. How an autistic person expresses their anger during a meltdown can vary. A person may yell, cry, lash out at others, or isolate themselves and refuse to speak. In extreme cases, they may engage in verbal or physical aggression.
How to de-escalate an autistic adult?
The best way to de-escalate an autistic adult experiencing extreme anger or a meltdown is by staying calm and providing a supportive environment. Do not argue with them, raise your voice, or blame them for their behavior. They are likely experiencing both intense feelings and overwhelm, and are not in the headspace to have an in-depth conversation. Do not hug or touch them, unless they specifically ask you to. You could ask them or, if available, their family members, what might help calm them down in the moment. They may want to be alone, engage in physical activity, or work toward emotional regulation in some other way that they know works for them. If a person is struggling to speak, try to find out if they have visual aids to help them communicate.
What is the best mood stabilizer for anger in autism?
Research has returned mixed results on mood stabilizers to manage autism anger and mood in general. Some studies have found that mood stabilizers help more than a placebo, while others have not. More randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify which, if any, mood stabilizers may be best for anger or other mood issues in autistic people.
How long does autistic rage last?
An autistic meltdown could last anywhere from minutes to hours, depending on the person and situation. How long a person remains in an autistic meltdown that involves rage depends on their emotional well-being and the environment they are in. If sensory overload is part of the cause because a person is in a bright, loud, crowded space, moving somewhere quiet and less crowded may help the intense emotions pass more quickly. Implementing effective strategies to manage intense emotions may also help, if a person has been learning those in therapy.
What medication is used for autism rage?
While medications for rage haven't been specifically studied, research suggests that multiple medications may help with aggression in autistic adults. These medications include risperidone, propranolol, fluvoxamine, and dextromethorphan. Additionally, non-medication treatments like vigorous exercise, therapy, and special multisensory environment therapies may also help.
What is the rage cycle of autism?
Some people claim that there is a "rage cycle" with predictable steps among people with autism, but this hasn't been widely studied. A simplified rage cycle includes three stages: rumbling, rage, and recovery. During the rumbling stage, a person may show signs that something has changed. Their body language may seem more tense or less friendly, and they may seem irritable or less interested in interacting. During the rage stage, a person enters full-blown rage and may yell or lash out. During the recovery stage, a person may feel exhausted or have a low mood, feeling ashamed of how they behaved during the rage stage. Keeping an anger management record may help a person gain insights into what triggers these cycles and what helps shorten them.
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