How does autistic burnout differ from neurotypical burnout?
According to Psychology Today, burnout (in the general sense) is:
“a state of chronic stress that leads to:
physical and emotional exhaustion
cynicism and detachment
feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment”
The symptoms can include:
Signs of physical and emotional exhaustion:
chronic fatigue
insomnia
forgetfulness/impaired concentration
physical symptoms (chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal pain, dizziness, fainting, and/or headaches)
increased illness/weakened immune system
loss of appetite
anxiety
depression
anger
Signs of cynicism and detachment:
loss of enjoyment
pessimism
isolation
detachment
Signs of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment
feelings of apathy and hopelessness
increased irritability
lack of productivity and poor performance
Autistic burnout tends to involve many of these same symptoms, but also involves the loss of skills or abilities that one once had (also known as autistic regression).
-Sabrina
