Sudden threat response to pets??

This is very hard to talk about so please be kind. I would never and have not ever hurt my pets - I’m looking for similar experiences so I can handle this in a way that’s better for me and my fur bebes.

The last year or so I’ve been incredibly burned out due to increased demands from helping someone close to me flee DV and navigate an indirect contact “co-parenting” arrangement with their abuser.

In this time I’ve begun having extreme fight responses to my cats approaching me or making totally normal noises to signal it’s feeding time etc., specifically when I am very burned out/overrstimulated.

I am generally excellent at keeping my cool and have had my kitties for over a decade - the only way I can describe my response is like a small small child trying to fight off some kind of threat - screaming, throwing nearby objects to make noise, pushing away etc.

Im dimly aware as it’s happening that I just need to get them away from me - it feels life or death, the same way you’d scream and make noise to scare off a bear. Except it’s just a big needy cat.

I have been shutting myself away in my room until I’ve calmed down, and they are being fed/kept as normal.

Any insights or advice would be very gratefully received.