Source ~ My Autistic Soul
Autistic Burnout : A Guide
When an autistic person is in burnout, it means that they are experiencing extreme mental, physical, and/or sensory exhaustion.
This exhaustion can stem from a variety of places, especially from masking, and can lead to an even larger variety of symptoms.
It can last a few hours or several years
It can be the result of a slow build-up or it can hit suddenly
The effects of burnout (especially loss of skills) are more likely to be permanent if the burnout has lasted several years
It is more common in adolescents and adults
It is different than neurotypical burnout and regular depression
It affects every area of your life
It requires more time to recover
What Causes Autistic Burnout?
High intensity interactions (concert, party)
Prolonged interaction (school, work)
Suppressing autistic traits
Operating beyond capacity
Not being able to recover from or cope with stress at the beginning signs
What are the Signs of Autistic Burnout?
Increased shutdowns or meltdowns
Increased executive dysfunction
Difficulties with memory, communicating or sleep
Easily triggered/overstimulated
You may seem "more autistic"
Difficulties in making decisions
How to Prevent/Cope with Autistics Burnout
Accommodations (in work, school, and everyday life)
Find community (on social media or in person)
Let autistic traits breathe
Therapy (especially for prolonged burnout)
Leave, even if it seems rude
Engage in simple self-care
Autistic burnout is largely fueled by having to navigate a world that was not made for us. And so, burnout is nearly inevitable for autistics.
Burnout is exhausting, overwhelming and scary. It is something a lot of is deal with on a daily basis without even realising what it is. It has become our normal way of existing.
Recovering from, preventing, and coping with burnout is not a quick and easy fix. It is a lifetime process of taking care of and being gentle with ourselves. Which is hard, my dudes, not gonna lie.
But we're some tough sons of bitches.
amandla
pixelskylines
prguitarman
