The burnout problem

Something I've posted about before, I know, but because of the deep seated and longstanding issues within my family, I'm always on the lookout for further information. 

Now, I've just been watching this video on "The Burnout Recovery cycle", which admittedly will be useful to some to enable them to plan and cope.  

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG_41uh-WAI

And yes, It might have been useful for me in the past and I can see how it works for a well motivated individual like Paul Micallef.  But, like many of the speakers and advocates I follow, there he is looking well groomed, organised and very much in control of his life.  I accept that appearances can be deceptive and we don't know what goes on behind closed doors in a person's private life.  But even taking that into consideration, this still feels very different from our family problems with burnout.  

All the speakers and autistic advocates I can find seem very well informed and motivated, not to mention very well groomed and presentable.  And within our family we see a very different picture.  People who opt out or withdraw altogether, never rejoin society, major difficulties with personal hygiene and too burnout to do very much at all other than very basic things like eating and going to the loo.  Motivation is low, especially given the mental health issues that then accumulate (unhelped by services who have been able to offer nothing - we've tried) and anything else is understandably a low priority (if basic survival is a problem, you're not going to be thinking about how greasy your hair is, for example).   And they're not really in any position to use self management strategies such as those outlined in this video.  If they were, they'd already be well on the way to recovery, with only minor support from others.  

So...  Is this really ALL burnout?  Should the term have subdivisions (e.g. to cover a range from brief, episodic burnout that is amenable to self help to almost total collapse and withdrawal)?  How can we best support someone in this situation?  And where are the videos from people who've recovered from, say, years of burnout and needed significant support in the meantime?  Is there anywhere that families can turn for more specific advice and guidance?       

It's very hard not to feel desperate about this. 

Parents
  • I had a burnout today, after a simple appointment in Belfast today. My plan was to drive to Antrim; to get a cheaper bus, which was fifteen minutes late. But I had ample time to be on time for my appointment.

    Then I had a recommendation of a Café where you receive a free coffee if you buy a record; I bought two LPs. But the location I was walking at was unfamiliar with me. Then I was trying to get to a train back to Antrim in good enough time. Then the drive home from Antrim was super-stressful. (I wore a coat, as it rained this morning, but it warmed up after noon)

  • Sounds familiar!  I have been in similar situations then had to turn back as the sense of alienation and struggle to function seemed to take over.  And then my driving ability, which has always been problematic for me, would be barely sufficient to get me home to safety. 

    Honestly, I sometimes wonder whether I can really have a "simple appointment".  Maybe my mind turns it into something else? 

Reply
  • Sounds familiar!  I have been in similar situations then had to turn back as the sense of alienation and struggle to function seemed to take over.  And then my driving ability, which has always been problematic for me, would be barely sufficient to get me home to safety. 

    Honestly, I sometimes wonder whether I can really have a "simple appointment".  Maybe my mind turns it into something else? 

Children
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