Always tired and have no energy to do anything.

Cutting back at work helped me a lot, even though the money side stressed me out at first. I found that once my energy stopped tanking every day, everything else felt less heavy. PIP was worth applying for too, even if the forms are a slog. Little changes added up for me, like planning quiet time before and after busy days so I wasn’t running on fumes.

Hi crawlerbasher,

Firstly, I think it is important to realise that burnout is common and lots of other people, especially as seems to be the case from this thread so far, know how it feels. Bringing it here was certainly a good idea.

If you're interested in learning more about autistic burnout then you may want to have a look here: Autistic fatigue and burnout. If you want to go in a bit deeper then I would also recommend this: Understanding autistic burnout. 

For help with the job itself it might be worth having a look here (What can I do if Im having trouble at work) and here (What are reasonable adjustments and when can they be requested).

Finally, if you are thinking about PIP there is a wealth of information on benefits at: Benefits.

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any further assistance.

Warm regards

Brian Mod

I think it might be a gender thing? I think people confide more in women than they do men, I don't have a big social circle, but people still confide in me and always have even as a new person at school or work.

I've have similar experience. I kept going until I was sectioned. Then put on benefits. Im actually a bricklayer. There is a lot of financial help out there. You should be entitled to PIP. Its complicated applying so I get help from CAB. They can help with the application form. There is also a limited capability for work from the jobcentre that allows you to work part-time. I've never been able to overcome the burnout personally. I think its a sign to slow down or stop. 

Hi, I’m sorry you are experiencing this- I can relate as I’ve been chronically exhausted and burntout for years. If possible, I think it’s best not to try and push through this without making changes. I can only speak from personal experience and I pushed through burnout for years and it has just gotten worse and worse to the point where even a few weeks off are not enough to make much of a difference. For me burnout is also linked with bad physical health (IBS flareups and scary weight loss) which just makes it worse. I am now probably 6 years down the line and I am reaching a point where I can’t function anymore at all and pushing through is becoming increasingly difficult. I think it’s so important to make some changes as soon as you can (which is what you are doing) before the situation becomes worse- I think the longer you push through the more difficult it gets to properly recover. I completely understand that there are so many challenges to doing what is best for our health, whether it’s financial or other obligations. I hope you can figure out a way to make it more sustainable. 

I am not sociable enough for others other than a few close friends I have for anyone to confide in me about their problems. I don’t really care for their issues so it doesn’t burden me in the same way it perhaps does to others.

I am rather quiet anyway and it never occurs to me to talk to others about myself while at work. I listen in to others conversations and it’s very to and fro fuelled by some sort of desire to have a connection of some sort, perhaps it’s a way of creating common ground. I can do small talk but it’s more like a reply without meaning. 

Constantly having to adapt is one of the reasons I see so few people now, it's just to draining. I find it somewhat amusing that us autistic folks who are supposed to be so lacking in empathy etc are so often the ones others tell their problems too, it can be draining, but I sort of mentally put them and thier problems into a folder in my mind and put it on a shelf so as I don't keep thinking about them.

Autismman said:

common for those with autism to feel chronically tired

I'm going to say, me too. Yes, I think at least part of it is down to constant worry, having to adapt, being misunderstood - and, being nice people, we listen to others' problems often without any reciprocation. All these things are very draining.

I was just about to come on here and post something similar. I was going to ask if it’s common for those with autism to feel chronically tired. My own reasoning is that this is due to expectations from life, from others, a need to perform and conform to duties as well as (for me) anxiety and low mood. 

I would think you may have a case but it is how you relate the questions asked to your disability. I would do a google search of the charities that produce guidance on PIP. Maybe even go to citizens advice or look for a disability advocate who will help you word your application in the correct manner. Good Luck

Mr T said:

It all depends on how your autism affects your daily living.

Yeah I've read in to that, and what my autism assement says and what I've noticed about myself.

I use spreadsheet to manage my fiance and budget what I need to pay and when and what my wage is and what is left. As I would forget what bill needs to be paid and when and if I borrowed money. I use to struggle with this till I came up with the idea of using a spreadsheet about 8 years ago.

I eat the same kind of food with very little change from it, ie I would only eat chicken curry, Pasta  Bake or when at Work, Chicken burger extra hot with peri chips and garlic bread, with lots of mayo mixed with vusa sauce.

I use google maps, to help me navigate new places even if on the bus or train to make sure I get of the right stop if I'm new to the area. But I am specially aware, so lets say I get lost, I have a good idea where I am in relastion to where I was.

When needing to contract people say customer service, I would prefer to do it online and hate using the phone to speak to the person. Even talking to my parents or landlord I would rather do it via text message.

When I shutdown, which can happen on crazy busy shift I will become nonverbal, to the announce of my boss and to myself as people asking if I'm ok and all I want to do is to be left alone.

I've been told that all this is the kind of things pip is looking for, and the list given is just a small example of my autism and how I manage it to make my life liveable.

I wonder if you have reasonable adjustments set up. Are you able to request an Occupational Health assessment if not? I have recently had adjustments agreed and Occupational Health recommended extra breaks.

you can apply for PIP and if you get awarded then this is tax free as it is not means tested. You can also be in employment and receive this. It all depends on how your autism affects your daily living.