Autistic Burnout at Work

I've shared your frustrations with CBT in the past but must say in the hands of an autism specialist am seeing much better results this time round. 

The only thing Mental Health Services have offered is an online CBT course, I have had CBT many times and it does not work, unfortunately these therapies are not designed with Autistics in mind and there is no support in my area for Adults on the Autistic Spectrum. A fellow Autistic has advised me to stop looking to mental health support as that's not what I need. They said that perhaps structured routines will aid my recovery and not psychotherapy which actually has done more harm than good in the past, I have asked for an assessment from Social Services for the possibility of an Outreach Worker.

Hello, I don’t know what might appen at your meeting but I do get the whole burnout issue. For me the only thing that works at the stage you’re at is rest. Ie taking some time off. Can you do that? If I catch it early enough a couple of days of doing little more than sleeping, eating sorts it, but has been known to take much much longer.

as extraneous says anxiety is a mental health condition and burnout is also a medical issue. I think anyone can get it, it’s just that when we get it all our autistic traits show up because we haven’t got the energy to mask any more which makes it look different. Also we get it much easier because of the effort everything takes. So, you should be able to get help for these things from your GP, mental health services. Should be able to.....

good luck with everything

Hi, thank you for your advice and reply’s, my case meeting is this coming Friday. 

I have had blood tests and all is fine with them, I also have epilepsy which is partially controlled with medication and take Pregabulin for anxiety and sleep, it does not work for the anxiety, it was working for the sleep.

i find interpersonal relationships hard at work and I have shut myself off from everyone and can’t mask my Autistic symptoms anymore.

my body is just shutting down and everything takes a monumental amount of energy and concentration including tying my shoes and executive functioning. 

Ive was looking to Mental Health Services for answers but have been told that won’t be productive as Autism isn’t a mental health condition.

Last time when I was off work long-term, something happened at the Christmas staff party and the boss I was having trouble wrong said something that really annoyed everyone else. She ended up getting shifted into another team because where I work no one ever seems to get fired.

Im still in the same team under different managers and it has improved a little. Since the diagnosis, I've been thinking about the skills I bring to work and where I could best use them. Its not much but its steps in the right direction.

What happened in the end with your employer?  Did you manage to get it resolved?  

I totally get that.  How you're treated at work has such a huge impact.  Sorry to hear you've been going through bullying at work.  I hope you can get it sorted.  

Been in a similar situation myself. I had a boss who I felt was edging me out of the team I worked in and it left me feeling isolated and like I was being picked on constantly. It eventually led to me taking long-term leave due to anxiety and stress. Problem was back then I didn't have my diagnosis of ASD.

The thing that helped me was getting as many people on my side, Occupational Health Service, Welfare and the Union.

Maybe your employer can make "reasonable adjustments" to support you at work.

Its not easy having to go into work every day knowing its going to mess with your head and leave you feeling physically and mentally drained. Hope you get it sorted.

Ask your Go to do a blood test also to prove there is no other cause because that's one of the questions your employers OH dept may ask. I know the feeling though and like Eccentric1 said have gone through that. Good luck

I have been having it for nearly two years due to bullying/directing/dictating management who knows better NOT.  Everything for me is a mess including my head albeit two months signed off by my GP from it has helped reduce my stress/anxiety.

Companies may have a duty of care wrt employees wellbeing, I know mine does, so that is also something to check up on.

I agree, discuss it with your GP.  I haven't really found what works.  I'm waiting for Access to Work support at the moment.  I go through stages of constantly falling asleep, like everything shuts down.  mid whatever I'm doing and it starts happening.  I've been having it for about 3 weeks now.  Every day at work, every evening when I get home, afternoons at weekends.  I have an appointment booked with my GP to discuss it. 

Let us know how you get on.  Have you discussed it with your employer previously?  Maybe book an appointment with your GP so when you have your meeting next week you can say you've booked an appointment with your GP as you've recognised it and it's affecting your work which you don't want.

Discuss with Occupational Health and your GP and hopefully they can help.  Please use the word Anxiety with them as well - magic buzzword I found worked finally as well as the impact on your Mental Wellbeing.