Autistic Burnout and Issues at work

I dont know what to say as every ti!e I hit burnout I handed in my notice, and the notice period was the most internally stressful part of working in my life. If I could just walk out and quit I wpuld save myself through torture... But then it would have dented my record.  Past drs never wanted to know so I never got any help. (After 20+ years of no help whatsoever I changed doctors and it was like coming out of a third world country into the modern world!)

Burnout is serious..The last one I had left me standing in the middle of a car park not knowing what to do because I had forgotton how to walk!  I had to write down all my passwords.I was frightened and ine a real mess! The day after the last day I worked was an autism open day drop in thingie, as I was already on the list to be assessed (That was over four years ago and recently been assessed), and when they saw the mess I was in they wanted to push me forward to be assessed but were told they were not allowed. First time I met anyone anywhere who understood what I was going through! They arranged (Had changed doctors by then) for me to get a sicknote so I could claim sickness benefit, but had to wait a month and a half as I could not do the online forms and was going to give up, but one of my Mums friends helped as she works for a charity called Mind so knew how to do the forms...But past burnouts left me without an income for a year or two ata time so I could recover. Lost my house, classic car and a camper. Had to sell so many things at next to nothing in prices to survive. So many people took advantage! 

So last time I worked was in 2019. Burnouts are horrible! Was desperately waiting to be assessed as I didn't know if they were burnouts or mental breakdowns and was told I needed to be assessed for autism first and that would tell me if they are burnout or breakdown as in the health athority area I was in, they said it was the same people I would see. (Moved area about six months ago to an area with shorter waiting lists so have assessment finished about a week ago, and I am on the spectrum which shows it was burnouts and not breakdowns. First went on the assessment list in very early may 2019).

I have left jobs for feeling the same. I exhausted the sickness policies and didnt see an alternative. I wasnt well, but i didn't know that i was autistic. Would adjustments at work of helped me? I dont think so. I needed time out on my own terms. I have continued to find alternative work except for a few months.  I dont regret my decisions, even if they were a little impulsive. I often say to myself....what is the worst that can happen? I hope you can feel better soon and reach a decision that is best for you x

Apologies, as I'm only really responding to this to sympathise and hopefully find some advice/support for myself. I work for the NHS too, fairly early in a psychology career-path, and I started experiencing burnout in September '23 time, and eventually tapped out and took time off for most of December - despite struggling with doing this. I went back to work before Christmas but I am still completely overwhelmed, unmotivated (which for work, is unlike me) and so so exhausted. All I do is work, rest and sleep and I am unable to do much else. My fixed term contract is up at the end of March and I am having to apply for other jobs, which is just another stress for me right now but my burnout and exhaustion is causing a total existential crisis about what I want to do with my life and how the hell I'm supposed to cope with my brain. I have no idea what to do with myself, and I wish I could just run away from all of my responsibilities for a while. I'm sorry I'm not offering you any advice - I would if I could, but I just wanted you to know that you're not alone and I'm sorry you're experiencing this too. 

Yes, i have been offered CBT, medication etc.. not the help I need at all! Although it is most definitely effecting my mental wellbeing. I am tired of trying to function at 5% all the time, while trying to meeting expectations of others.

Autistic burnout does need to be better recognised by the NHS. Currently so many autistic people in burnout are misdiagnosed with anxiety / depression and offered inappropriate medication / talk therapies.

There was an online petition started last year, campaigning for more official recognition.

https://www.change.org/p/make-schools-camhs-and-other-professionals-recognise-and-accept-autistic-burnout

It doesn't appear to still be active but I did find this document, prepared as written evidence for a parliamentary committee. It may be helpful to show your employer.

https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/117253/pdf/

I do agree with this, however if more of us are going to be forced back into the workplace, thing like Autistic Burnouts need to be understood and steps taken to ensure the risk to an autistic human being entering burnout is reduced. 

I have had to take a lot of time off work during the past 2 years due to burnout / fatigue + other issues.

My employer has been very supportive, but it is getting to the point where they seem to be less willing to continue the support. This is something that I understand, I mean, I'm paid to do a job and just haven't been able to do it for days / weeks at a time. It is difficult for them to plan projects and other thing, because they don't know if I will be working tomorrow, or off sick - which could be indefinite.

Whilst we autists do have some employment / discrimination laws on our side, I'm not sure how much they will ultimately protect you if you are unable to do you job. I guess that at least my employer has been supportive in the past and that they are trying to find a solution without having to go down the disciplinary route.

I'm not overly suprised to hear that the NHS are not understanding of autism - especially when I consider the absolute failure to support patients with autism.

I wish you good luck!

Applogies, I may inadvertently put this in the wrong forum, I am a man and I think this in Women and Girls, please forgive this error!