You're Not Crazy, You're Overwhelmed

Sometimes it’s not about the chess game.

On this episode of The Bad Creatives Podcast, I talk about what happened when a low-stakes game with my boyfriend turned into me crying on the floor — and why moments like this make so many of us think, “Why am I like this?”

If you’re autistic, AuDHD, highly sensitive, creatively wired, or just someone whose emotional reactions don’t always seem to match the moment, this episode is for you.

We’re talking about alexithymia — a trait that makes it hard to identify and understand emotions — and how it shows up alongside autism, ADHD, PTSD, burnout, and sensitive nervous systems. When you don’t know what you’re feeling until your body forces it out, things can get confusing fast.

In this episode, I break down:
• Why small situations can trigger big emotional reactions
• The difference between meltdowns, shutdowns, panic, and “overreacting”
• Why logic fails when your nervous system is overloaded
• How shame makes emotional overwhelm worse
• What actually helps when you don’t realize you’re overwhelmed until it’s too late

This isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about understanding how your nervous system works — and learning how to support it instead of fighting it.

If you’ve ever been told you’re “too much,” “too sensitive,” or “high functioning” while quietly falling apart, you’re not broken. You’re human. And you’re not alone.

Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: Chess Meltdown
00:40 Understanding Alexithymia
01:31 Neurodiversity and Emotional Reactions
02:51 High Functioning Autism Struggles
03:36 The Chess Game Breakdown
05:08 Meltdowns vs. Tantrums
07:03 Coping Mechanisms and Self-Awareness
14:44 Art and Special Interests as Therapy
19:00 Somatic Practices and Rituals
25:21 Self-Compassion and Accountability
26:49 Conclusion and Resources

I’m Alexa Van, host of The Bad Creatives Podcast — a space for weird, sensitive, creative, neurodivergent people trying to exist in a world that wasn’t built for them.

🎧 New episodes explore autism, AuDHD, unmasking, emotional regulation, creativity, burnout, nervous system health, and what it actually means to live as yourself.

🔗 Learn more or book a session: thebadcreatives.com
📲 Find me on TikTok & Instagram: @thebadcreatives
Substack: @thebadalexavan

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