Could anyone share their experience of burnout?

Hi Catwoman , welcome!
I think I'm starting to feel better after 6 months, though still wobbly so obviously not were I was before.

How long it lasts is hard, I crashed out of my old job, took 3 months off over the summer with my kids, started a new job and hit exhaustion immediately, which was really hard to deal with. Stress from starting a new job and trying to work just as hard again was so much I wanted to cry and quit again, plus I lost my ability to deal with feedback objectively.  It was a very hard to admit to myself that I might have austistic burnout and not just regular burnout. (I was still undergoing assessment and was afraid of allowing myself to admit what it was as I didn't want to feel broken for months.) 

I managed to still work but take it down a notch or two, I can still get my work done, and the new place is fine with me, but admitting to myself I couldn't do the same amount that I could before burnout has helped me forgive myself a little. I also was in a lead role with several meetings and organising schdedules, and now I'm in just a senior role without worrying about having people report to me and just one short catch up a week, so that is helping a lot too. My concentration is definitely down and I'm very unorganised at the moment. 

The hardest thing that has hampered recovery is lack of sleep -I got insomonia from working too hard, and for most of last year could only sleep properly about 3-4 hours before waking. I think if I could sleep more, it would have helped with recovery. Waking up tired isn't fun.

Best of luck to you if you are in it, I've also been listening to Dr Neff's podcast, Divergent Conversations (I listen on spotify but I think it's a few places). Series 3 is Burnout City.

Hi, I’m glad you are feeling better. It’s interesting that you say you got insomnia from working too hard because this is something that I experience as well. The more exhausted I get the less I am able to sleep. It’s like I am in this adrenaline fuelled state to just somehow survive the day but then when I should sleep I just cannot even though I am extremely exhausted… It is very frustrating and I haven’t found a way to fix this

Long term sleep deprivation is a major part of our problems.

Too much stress leaves the system switched on. You have to be able to relax.

Messing up circadian rhythms from lots of travel or odd hours does it too.

Sleep hygiene works, but you have to do it for a week or so before it helps. I never stuck to it long enough.

I also get distracted and want to do other things at night but I am getting better the last month or 6 weeks.

It sounds silly, but turn off the main ceiling lights, use lamps or candles from 9pm. Don't have any bright lights. Stop screens and hour before bed. Only reading.

Long term sleep deprivation is a major part of our problems.

Too much stress leaves the system switched on. You have to be able to relax.

Messing up circadian rhythms from lots of travel or odd hours does it too.

Sleep hygiene works, but you have to do it for a week or so before it helps. I never stuck to it long enough.

I also get distracted and want to do other things at night but I am getting better the last month or 6 weeks.

It sounds silly, but turn off the main ceiling lights, use lamps or candles from 9pm. Don't have any bright lights. Stop screens and hour before bed. Only reading.