Monthly burnout

Hi Lisa-Jayne 

I am sad that your son is experiencing these upsetting experiences and I can only imagine how distressing it is for you too.  I think I have an idea of how much finding an answer and more importantly a solution to what is happening means.

My answer is of course that of an interested amateur in this matter and please consider it in that respect. 

Having just read Iain response I think there is wisdom in their response.

From what I understand of burnout (if that is what it is) it is a complex reaction to stressors and is normally closely linked to the individual and their experiences.  

A clear cyclic pattern of similar symptoms could perhaps be linked with menstruation maybe however this is your son so...

Perhaps it may be more indicative of what may be triggering it in terms of something that is building up but is relieved by being absent from society for a week?

As has been mentioned further professional support and investigations?

Having been involved with the mental health crisis team I would imagine that your son may have some links till open to that via them?

Is there a support team at the college that may be involved?

As he is older than 18 and (if he is in the UK at least) he is generally responsible for making his own medical decisions unless lacking capacity under a legal framework.  This I figure adds an extra level of complexity to working on the problem as he is the one that will need to do the communication about the issue to get further help on it.  I believe that it may be possible for you to act as an advocate for him in discussions with medical professionals if he gives verbal or written consent to this (obviously without duress).

I imagine that there may be some complicated social communication involved and ongoing between you and he about this and, believe me, that part of my own autistic nature leads me to think I am not the right person to advise about that.

Nevertheless, communication about what's going on and to the right person seems to be a key to this.

Helping your son identify and be empowered to emerge from the cycle is the goal it seems.

I wish you and your family all the best and, at the risk of being patronising, well done for caring and doing the best you are able.  It's not easy but it's worth it.

Hi Lisa-Jayne 

I am sad that your son is experiencing these upsetting experiences and I can only imagine how distressing it is for you too.  I think I have an idea of how much finding an answer and more importantly a solution to what is happening means.

My answer is of course that of an interested amateur in this matter and please consider it in that respect. 

Having just read Iain response I think there is wisdom in their response.

From what I understand of burnout (if that is what it is) it is a complex reaction to stressors and is normally closely linked to the individual and their experiences.  

A clear cyclic pattern of similar symptoms could perhaps be linked with menstruation maybe however this is your son so...

Perhaps it may be more indicative of what may be triggering it in terms of something that is building up but is relieved by being absent from society for a week?

As has been mentioned further professional support and investigations?

Having been involved with the mental health crisis team I would imagine that your son may have some links till open to that via them?

Is there a support team at the college that may be involved?

As he is older than 18 and (if he is in the UK at least) he is generally responsible for making his own medical decisions unless lacking capacity under a legal framework.  This I figure adds an extra level of complexity to working on the problem as he is the one that will need to do the communication about the issue to get further help on it.  I believe that it may be possible for you to act as an advocate for him in discussions with medical professionals if he gives verbal or written consent to this (obviously without duress).

I imagine that there may be some complicated social communication involved and ongoing between you and he about this and, believe me, that part of my own autistic nature leads me to think I am not the right person to advise about that.

Nevertheless, communication about what's going on and to the right person seems to be a key to this.

Helping your son identify and be empowered to emerge from the cycle is the goal it seems.

I wish you and your family all the best and, at the risk of being patronising, well done for caring and doing the best you are able.  It's not easy but it's worth it.

Many thanks for the reply Phased, yes very distressing to see him struggling so much, he is such a lovely young man and has so much potential but worryingly cant see  a future with this happening every month.

Yes you are right about it been cyclic and I suppose at 18 his hormones are surging, there may be a link with that, possibly.

I have self referred to the learning disability team in the hope they can help him manage the build up of anxiety/stress, I think he manages, pretends, conforms for so long that his body/mind checks out for a rest, how strange.

I’m hoping to find someone who may have experienced something similar which even just for a worried mum would help immensely.

Bless you for been so kind, I also wish you and your family all the best, have a great day.

Lisa