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Experience of Autistic Burnout

Homebird

I am currently in the stage of slow progress and have learnt that pushing beyond limits makes things worse. I have also read warnings about not restarting things when a little progress has been made.

I have resolved myself to allowing enough time to recover before returning to work. However work have now started regular reviews. I have said this may take a while. Their policy is that more contact means people return sooner. I also don't think they get the difference between ordinary stress and autistic burnout.

I would be interested in other people's experiences.

  • You're not alone - this is super common. From what people share (especially on Reddit's autism subs), slow recovery from burnout is the norm, not the exception. Pushing back in too soon? Yes, it backfires - people say it resets progress, makes shutdowns worse, or leads to quitting altogether.

    One woman took a year and a half off, returned remote, and still needed months to "unmask" properly. Another hit daily overload even after returning - said the job itself was the trigger. UK experiences? Occupational Health assessments often miss the nuance: they treat it like "ordinary stress," push phased returns or "more contact" to "motivate," but ignore how sensory overload or masking drains us differently.

    Your line - "this may take a while" - is spot-on. If they're ignoring it, gently remind: "Burnout isn't stress; it's neurological exhaustion. I need real recovery time, not pressure." Ask for written adjustments (reduced hours, no reviews till you're ready, WFH). If they won't budge, union or ACAS might help - many say that's what saved their job.