*Autistic Shutdowns collection* - Do you experience these ?

So... I'm also confused about this. I'll tell you what I experience, and then I'll tell you why I'm unsure!

1. I have times when I feel absolutely, flat-out exhausted - all I want to do is curl up in a dark, quiet room and sleep. I don't want any light or noise - even the TV is too much. I struggle to communicate and I find it hard to even imagine getting anything productive done. I usually feel this coming on throughout the day (e.g. during a particularly challenging day at work), but manage to stave it off until I get home.

2. The process is: feeling exhausted (sometimes with sensory overload); struggling to communicate (e.g. mixing up words); struggling to function (e.g. walking home is like walking through jelly!); heading to a dark room; lying quietly; usually going to sleep.

3. Afterwards, I feel groggy - as if I've slept for too long and can't come around properly.

4. The triggers seem to be sensory issues, stress, anxiety, emotional/information overload, and being overtired.

Why am I questioning whether these are shutdowns? I recently went to my doctor and have been referred to a specialist - it turns out I'm anaemic and may have been suffering from a chronic illness for years, without knowing it! The chronic condition they suspect comes with extreme fatigue, as do the symptoms of anaemia.

At this point, I'm not sure whether I'm experiencing autistic shutdowns, or just overwhelmed by the fatigue caused by my physical health conditions. I suppose the most important thing is not the question of whether it's a shutdown, but what you can do to take care of yourself (I know that I need to take it easier sometimes, and that's okay).

A cautionary note from me - it's always worth checking with your doctor if you experience symptoms like this. I have several symptoms that I've been putting down to autism and anxiety, but there's a lot going on inside my body that I'd completely overlooked!

you are absolutely correct -- i too am not sure either i am going to wait a while and maybe talk to my GP.  Your contribution is a useful reminder to be careful of self diagnosing when a blood test may find something else. Thanks DuckBread .

you are absolutely correct -- i too am not sure either i am going to wait a while and maybe talk to my GP.  Your contribution is a useful reminder to be careful of self diagnosing when a blood test may find something else. Thanks DuckBread .