How do you cope with exhaustion?

Check with a GP your levels are ok such as b12, iron etc. I don't know your age or if you are female but I think menopause can contribute to exhaustion. Have you had any viruses such as covid? That could make you fatigued as well. These things which can make anyone exhausted, I think if you are already prone to it, can really exacerbate it.

I've realised since my diagnosis last year that fatigue is a fact of life. Try energy accounting or keep a diary of activity. Rest before your battery gets empty. Don't boom or bust. Be kind to yourself. Resting isn't wasting time, it's giving your body chance to recover. Its hard when often we can't read our own bodies or needs because of alexithymia or poor interoception.  I've learned the hard way as covid tipped me over the edge but i think i was burning out al ready way before that. But it has made me stop and assess things. It is hard though to find a balance but you need to find a level which is sustainable. If that means reducing what you used to do, for now, that's what you need. Prioritise stuff. Then once you start to feel better you can slowly build it up from there. Once you accept fatigue is part of your life and you cant do everything you used to be able to, you can learn to adjust. I find yoga and meditation helps too.

Hi ! Thanks! This is very useful advice! I think like you say, I often don't even notice that I am getting burnt out or how exhausted I am until I just completely collapse. I will try some of your suggestions. Did you have long Covid? I did too and the fatigue then was horrible. It has now been 1.5 years and there have been lots of things going on that could contribute to fatigue so it is hard to say if I still have residual effects from having had covid... 

Yes I have. As I am starting to turn a corner and feeling more recovered, the fatigue isn't as acute but is still there. I now recognise this type of low level exhaustion was there day in day out, especially after work, long before the pandemic.  It's a shame it has taken this for me realise but you just think it's normal, it's like this for everyone or its not really that bad. Having a physical illness makes the reason for exhaustion more tangible so a bit easier to deal with and for others to accept. I don't think "I'm fatigued because I am a masking autistic" would cut well with family, work or the GP.  Even saying it's from covid is difficult for others to see because they may have just had a sniffle and think the pandemic is now over.

Are you feeling more recovered now?

Yes it sounds like you are doing a lot by looking for support. It's a fine balance. I had CBT and I've realised now that "tolerating anxiety" while it can be helpful, can also keep one in situations which are not suitable. The anxiety doesnt get any less. I used to disagree with Luke Beardon's idea that changing environmental factors is a good way to manage anxiety for autistics (this to me seemed a cop out because anxiety is part of life) but now I can see this is actually really important. Less anxiety = less fatigue or better managed fatigue.

Yes, I know what you mean- I am also reaching out for help (eg. I am on a waiting list for CBT, I am going to see someone who has experience in mentoring/therapy for autistic people and will see if I can afford occasional sessions, I am reaching out to GP, looking at any support in my area etc., talking to people here). But in a way organising support is a way of helping yourself too :) but I think for me it's about how I think about the support. Because like you say, even with support we need to make the changes ourselves and be proactive. In the past I think I put too much reliance on support, instead of focusing more on doing what I can to help myself. 

Yes, I know what you mean- I am also reaching out for help (eg. I am on a waiting list for CBT, I am going to see someone who has experience in mentoring/therapy for autistic people and will see if I can afford occasional sessions, I am reaching out to GP, looking at any support in my area etc., talking to people here). But in a way organising support is a way of helping yourself too :) but I think for me it's about how I think about the support. Because like you say, even with support we need to make the changes ourselves and be proactive. In the past I think I put too much reliance on support, instead of focusing more on doing what I can to help myself. 

Yes it sounds like you are doing a lot by looking for support. It's a fine balance. I had CBT and I've realised now that "tolerating anxiety" while it can be helpful, can also keep one in situations which are not suitable. The anxiety doesnt get any less. I used to disagree with Luke Beardon's idea that changing environmental factors is a good way to manage anxiety for autistics (this to me seemed a cop out because anxiety is part of life) but now I can see this is actually really important. Less anxiety = less fatigue or better managed fatigue.