Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
50’s diagnosis in the acceptance phase.
I’ve been reading about ASD burnout where it can be so bad it ends in selective mutism. I’m a relatively successful businessman and scared of this, my family would suffer as all the information is literally inside my head. I could/am put/putting systems in place (and currently in the process of this).
The downside of my ASD is I’m also incredibly high functioning and I’m not convinced anyone else would have the capacity to take over and cope even with systems in place.
This is the scary part - I know I’m burning out and maybe have a few years left (weird I know this) before I crash and burn and will need to retire/part retire.
How real is the risk of non returnable ASD burnout? The thought of hitting that at retirement (more like ASD enforced retirement) secretly fills me with joy and sadness. The joys would be the peace I’ve never had, the downside is not caring about my loved ones and significant others and I know I’d be selfish to protect myself - it actually brings me to tears when I think about this. us it a real risk or just non aspies research shite? Tia x
This thread, as with many on here, has got my little brain ticking over.
We used to talk about a 'nervous breakdown'.
It's a term that I believe is not in fashion these days but I wonder whether autistic burnout was labelled as such in the past.
Many years ago, I had a 'nervous breakdwon' and my GP was called out as it was clear I desperately needed help. He recorded this in my medical records as 'anxiety state reality' .
I know now that this was a total meltdown followed by a shutdown, or burnout. This was twenty seven years before my ASD was recognised ... I was aged 40. The term 'mid-life crisis' was also bandied about.
Ben
Ben said:I know now that this was a total meltdown followed by a shutdown, or burnout.
Whatever age we get our diagnosis, it's good to have a context for past experiences, such as this.
There is less mystery to our past and more clarity.
Hibernating said:There is less mystery to our past and more clarity.
Absolutely !