Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone!
I want to talk about Autistic Burnout. I have been dealing with Autistic Burnout at different stages of my life, but I've hit a dead end with it and I think advice from others that have had a similar expereince could help me to better regulate my emotions.
I work full-time 42 hours a week. The only way I can earn enough to pay for my home, my car, my family, etc, is through full-time work. As an adult with responsibilities, I can't just "switch off" when I come home, there are chores to do, meals to cook, the dog to walk (FYI I love my dog, its just after an exhausting day of work I sometimes just have no energy). Its become so much that I've been off work for nearly a week on sick leave just so I don't completely lose my marbles (thanks brain).
I can't keep doing this otherwise I'm going to lose my job, which will affect all that I've listed above.
I've been to my doctor and I'm now on medication for anxiety and depression. Hopefully this will help me through my anxious and depressed times. However, I know full well that medication isn't the fix to my autistic burnout. I've been in touch with a number of autism charities in my local area and have appointments booked with them, so I'm making a start, but I would like to know how any of you copes with autism burnout.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know its long winded, but I feel talking to others that go through the same "turbulence" may help myself and others to understand themselves more. Thanks again!
In my eyes, medication for anxiety or depression does not help solely with burnout.
This is not medical advice. What you need is rest and recouperation from the world. I learned the hard way to listen to my body because I had ignored it for so long thinking everyone "was like that" and it was just me being a wuss. It wasn't. Autistic people need a helping hand in the modern world. I categorically don't know how anyone can work full-time and raise a family whether they are neurodivergent or not. I remember the feeling of not being able to switch off and I don't even have kids. I feel incredibly sad that I used to feel this way and didn't know how to stop it. You have the advantage that you are aware something is happening and you need to heed this. I didn't have a scooby doo what was going on. We mask for so long we end up gas-lighting ourselves. If you don't stop now, your body will do it for you at some point and it'll be a longer road back, if at all, to where you started.
Good luck.
Thank you for your advice. I understand I have a long road ahead in figuring out what to do with my work and social lives to make them more bearable. It helps to know other people's experiences with autism. Thanks again!
out_of_step said:I didn't have a scooby doo what was going on. We mask for so long we end up gas-lighting ourselves.
That's a bit of genius insight right there chum !