Autistic burnout

Hi everyone

I'm in burnout and I'm fairly sure I've been in it for over a year so far. It seems to intensify and then ease off depending on what I'm doing. I know it gets worse with any kind of stress which also includes getting involved in discussion on social media. Certain topics can get quite emotive especially when I also have injustice sensitivity, so when someone attacks me online I really feel it and if I don't disengage it can wreck my mood for a couple of days.

I'm also a personal trainer and I've not lifted any weights in the gym for a few weeks because the intensity also drains me, so I've been working on mobility mostly and the only lifting I do is when I'm demonstrating exercises for clients. It really is a mindful balancing act and that alone is exhausting too. I used to be so active all the time and I'm sad that I can't do that anymore. 

While reading about autistic burnout online I'm starting to feel that in the same way that all autistic people are different, all burnouts are different too and varying in intensity. I read about some folks who can't find the energy to shower, feed themselves, talk to anyone or do any form of active self care. When it's bad I can be like that, but it's not all the time, and I feel like I'll be invalidated by some if I admit that. In the same way I was told by people in the past "You're not autistic"...(I'm now diagnosed)...I worry that I'll be told "That's not proper burnout!" because I'm still functioning albeit sporadically.

Can anyone relate to this please? 

Also, how do I change my username please? I don't feel that this one represents who I am anymore. Thanks Purple heart

Parents
  • Hi  , I’m sorry you‘re in burnout. I hope you can get some reassuring responses from the community and you feel better soon.

    In terms of your username change, there are instructions on how to do it in our Online Community Instructions page. I couldn’t paste the link here, but you can access it by clicking on More to the right of the Online Community Rules you see at the top left of any page in the forum. I hope this helps. 

    Best wishes,

    Anna Mod

Reply
  • Hi  , I’m sorry you‘re in burnout. I hope you can get some reassuring responses from the community and you feel better soon.

    In terms of your username change, there are instructions on how to do it in our Online Community Instructions page. I couldn’t paste the link here, but you can access it by clicking on More to the right of the Online Community Rules you see at the top left of any page in the forum. I hope this helps. 

    Best wishes,

    Anna Mod

Children