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I've just resigned from yet another job. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Icarus
11 days ago

I'm in my mid-50s and have been on an NHS waiting list for an autism assessment for about two years. I've struggled with depression and anxiety for more than two decades and take medication. I've just resigned from yet another job following a sequence of events which, although familiar, is one I haven't been able to stop. The sequence runs something like this:

  1. I secure a job and feel very excited and enthusiastic about it, particularly in the early stages.
  2. I manage my workload reasonably well but don't cope well with too many tasks at once, especially when there's pressure over competing deadlines.
  3. I tend to think about work when I'm not at work, and the headspace it occupies begins to increase.
  4. There's a gradual build-up of mental pressure which I find challenging and which begins to overload my emotions.
  5. Although I find aspects of the work very challenging, it's the emotional side - working and collaborating with others - that I find especially difficult.
  6. I find it particularly hard to accept criticism of certain parts of my work, especially those that require a lot of effort, and often seem to have difficulties with one colleague that become almost obsessional.
  7. The emotional pressure continues to build and I might have a mini-blowout over a particular issue.
  8. My anxiety over my job builds to such an extent that I can think of nothing else and find it impossible to deal with.
  9. I feel my only option is to resign and remove myself from the situation as fast as I can.
  10. I lose my job and have to start all over again. 

Looking back, this sequence of events has now happened up to eight times in my life. Once, I ended up in hospital. It was after one of these sequences that it was suggested to me that I might be autistic. I don't know if there's anything in this and would be very interested if any readers have any thoughts or reflections. I'd also be particularly grateful to receive any advice on how I might be able to stop the sequence from happening again. Thank you very much for reading - and warmest good wishes.

Parents
  • 9 days ago

    This struck a chord with me too.  Others have mentioned the potential of Autistic Burnout potentially worth some consideration.  Earlier this week, I was listening to an Australian podcast - from a collection produced as The Neurodivergent Woman - "Autistic Burnout".  It is quite long (I recall about 1 hour 24 minutes) so I listened to it in sections across differernt days.  It is hosted by clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson and clinical neuropsychologist Michelle Livock (one is neurodivergent and the other is neurotypical - and they are a refreshingly fun pair - not at all stuffy in the way they cover pretty important topics).  "...what is burnout in general, the difference between optimal and peak performance, what is Autistic Burnout and what are the signs, what causes and what exacerbates Autistic Burnout, preventative and recovery strategies, and what burnout can signal to us.". 

    I cannot remember where I first discovered their podcasts - but I have been finding them useful (but enjoyable too).  I may not have have originally found them via Spotify - but this link might be of use:

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fLSDTW0LZ59IkrAJxV6WC?si=aouBpoqTQE2xJM0q17TbEA 

    Maybe you might also find some out their points helpful, if all else, I think they are an easy to listen to podcast delivery style.

Reply
  • 9 days ago

    This struck a chord with me too.  Others have mentioned the potential of Autistic Burnout potentially worth some consideration.  Earlier this week, I was listening to an Australian podcast - from a collection produced as The Neurodivergent Woman - "Autistic Burnout".  It is quite long (I recall about 1 hour 24 minutes) so I listened to it in sections across differernt days.  It is hosted by clinical psychologist Monique Mitchelson and clinical neuropsychologist Michelle Livock (one is neurodivergent and the other is neurotypical - and they are a refreshingly fun pair - not at all stuffy in the way they cover pretty important topics).  "...what is burnout in general, the difference between optimal and peak performance, what is Autistic Burnout and what are the signs, what causes and what exacerbates Autistic Burnout, preventative and recovery strategies, and what burnout can signal to us.". 

    I cannot remember where I first discovered their podcasts - but I have been finding them useful (but enjoyable too).  I may not have have originally found them via Spotify - but this link might be of use:

    https://open.spotify.com/episode/6fLSDTW0LZ59IkrAJxV6WC?si=aouBpoqTQE2xJM0q17TbEA 

    Maybe you might also find some out their points helpful, if all else, I think they are an easy to listen to podcast delivery style.

Children