Meltdown or Trauma Anger? How to Tell the Difference (Autism + CPTSD)

In this second episode of The Truth My Body Told, Danielle Bird (Licensed Counselling Therapist & Somatic Attachment Trauma Recovery Coach) responds to a listener question:

“As an autistic and CPTSD person, how can I tell the difference between a meltdown and being in an anger part of a trauma cycle?”

Building on Polyvagal Theory and her Radical Rebirth™ framework, Danielle explains:

• What a meltdown is (and why it’s not “bad behavior” but a neuroprotective discharge)
• How an anger part of a trauma cycle shows up differently in the psyche, emotions, body, and spirit
• The overlap between autism & CPTSD in nervous system sensitivity and reactivity
• Practical ways to normalize, depersonalize, and discharge these states safely
• Danielle’s CPR method to process emotional and nervous system charge
• The role of buffers, recovery, and self-advocacy in building long-term capacity

💌 Want to submit a question for the “If You Were My Client” series? Email Danielle at [email protected] or connect on socials @thedaniellebird.

✨ Danielle’s upcoming course Create Safety in Your Nervous System ($87) teaches you how to do this step by step. Join the waitlist here: https://www.daniellebird.com/

✨ CPR Freebie here : https://www.daniellebird.com/

✨ Book a free 15-min consult to work together here: https://calendly.com/birddaniellee/radical-rebirth-application?month=2025-09

& Danielle's Psych Today profile: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/danielle-bird-kelowna-bc/1595103

🌹 The TikTok video referenced: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMArffMJ6/

📺 Watch the visual version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jz8jZ_MiU8g

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