🌼How to soothe a panicking age regressor🌼
To starts this off, imma regressor wiv Panic Disorder an Autism. Dese tips are for when your regressor is havin a panic attack or meltdown of any kind! An remember, each panic attack and meltdown is different. Even the same regressor might want different steps taken in different crises.
💬You gots to work out if your regressor wants to be held. In a panic attack, even a normally cuddly regressor might struggle and flail if touched. Ask them! They might nod or shake head. Might jus say “mm” tho. Dis one takes knowin your regressor, if you still arent sure after askin, try gentle touch an see if they come to you or shake you off or just stay listless. If they dont move or do come for cuddles, then proceed to respond how seems fit. Do not grab the regressor or make any sudden movements!
🍼Get them drink in a bottle, preferably somethin calmin and warm like milk drinks or hot choccy milk, or even teas like chamomile.
🐒 If trying to touch them earlier went wrong and they accidentally hit or kicked you while flailing, this is nobodys fault. Ive done it before an felt awful. Please do not punish the regressor now or later for this. Even if da rules say no hittin, this doesn count. They not mean to hit, i promise.
🔊Find out first if they wants sounds on, then put telly on with soothing show. Be ready to mute it if the regressor responds by shaking head, covering head, making unhappy noises etc.
🎶If there isnt telly in the room, see if the regressor responds to talkin or singing to them.
🥛The regressor might tell you to get out or go away. Theyre not being mean, they just cant handle people right now. Please go outside the room, and make them drink and/or a snack. Give it 10-15 minutes then knock on door and tell your smol that you have left these things for them. Even an isolating smol appreciates the effort, even if they dont respond well at the time, give em time alone an theyll come get the offerings when theyre ready and itll help as they come down.
😿If the regressor wants you in the room, but no touching or sounds, please just sit down and give reassuring smiles if they look at you. You can play on phone or read book or other quiet activity. Dont fall asleep if you can help it.
🐰This one is hard, but when they start to feel better theyre gonna come to you, and you might be upset because they yelled at you or accidentally hit you. Please know it was an accident and they didnt mean to lash out (if your regressor hits a lot or says absolutely awful things… thats abuse. Thats not what im talkin about here. When in a panic attack or meltdown, imagine youre dealing with a frightened rabbit). Do not try to “talk about the behaviour” or make them explain themselves. Theyll tell you why they panicked when theyre calm. Right now, theyre coming down and need comfort.
🦄When the smol is calm, try the television again, or a game or book. Something that doesnt require a lot of energy. Theyre very tired. They might go to sleep and thats fine too! Now is the time for letting them be calm and happy.
⚠If you want to talk about what happened, please wait at least a few hours. This gives them time to be calm and they probably want to say sorry too!
⁉If youre somewhere public, Try to get your smol somewhere private and proceed with the steps above. Even if its them sitting in the parking lot of a supermarket and you going to buy them a milkshake instead of the other steps, your care and effort is still amazing.
I hope these tips helped. Meltdowns and panic attacks can be hard to deal with, but i hope this list helps!
