Shutdown is

A shutdown is when my neurochemistry is flooded due to stress or over stimulation. In response, in order to hide and heal, the body falls heavily, irrevocably into deep sleep. My breathing slows down to the point that, even though my eyes are open and I appear present, my body is if asleep.

My appetite and thirst go away. It feels like hibernation or light coma. It's unique. Surreal. And I have absolutely no control over when it will abate and I will be awake, alert and in control of my body, my life, again.

I went to a friend's house for dinner for the first time. New friend. New house. New everything for about two hours.

I came home. Walked the dog. And fell asleep for twenty hours.

That is Autistic Shutdown in a nutshell, at its finest.

Autistic Shutdown or the fear of it occurring, controls my life.

I am Aspie.