Meltdowns

Meltdown is a term used in multiple domains to describe a dramatic failure or overwhelmed state: in psychology, an emotional outburst; in engineering, a core overheating event in a nuclear reactor; in everyday use, used metaphorically to indicate collapse or breakdown under pressure.

In psychology, an emotional meltdown is an episode of extreme distress when a person cannot regulate emotions or behavior. Common signs include intense crying, shouting, aggression, self-soothing difficulties, or withdrawal; can follow sensory overload, fatigue, hunger, or anxiety. Not the same as a deliberate tantrum; often linked to neurodevelopmental differences such as autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences. Afterward, recovery may take time.

Many autistic people report meltdowns as responses to overload rather than intentional misbehavior. Prevention focuses on predictable routines, sensory accommodations (quiet spaces, reduced stimuli), clear communication, and early intervention when signs appear. When meltdowns occur, gentle, non-threatening support, minimizing demands, and ensuring safety are recommended.

Nuclear meltdown refers to severe overheating of a nuclear reactor core, causing fuel rods to melt and potentially breach containment, with possible radiation release. Mechanisms include loss of cooling and failed heat removal. Responses involve rapid reactor scram, containment systems, and evacuation or exclusion zones; notable incidents include the Chernobyl disaster (1986) and the Fukushima Daiichi accident (2011). Lessons informed reactor design and safety culture improvements.

The term is also used metaphorically to describe systems or plans failing under stress, such as "meltdown of financial markets" or "computer meltdown," though such uses are informal.