🧵Common warning signs of autistic burnout:
Either that it is coming soon, or that you’re in it.
Any individual may experience some of these, but probably never all of them.
In no particular order.
#AutisticBurnout #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
Either that it is coming soon, or that you’re in it.
Any individual may experience some of these, but probably never all of them.
In no particular order.
#AutisticBurnout #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
Also, all comparisons (more, increased, longer, etc) are using YOUR personal best functional time in life as a baseline. This is not a comparison to others, this is a comparison to you alone.
Getting sick easily.
Taking longer that usual to recover.
Minor, or major, injuries or accidents.
Taking longer that usual to recover.
Minor, or major, injuries or accidents.
Low energy.
Exhaustion.
A feeling that you "have to" do things.
Increased black and white thinking, all or nothing thinking.
Exhaustion.
A feeling that you "have to" do things.
Increased black and white thinking, all or nothing thinking.
Getting frustrated more easily, at more things.
Increased negativity.
A sense that the world is going to pot.
You become the toxic person that people start to avoid or complain about.
Increased negativity.
A sense that the world is going to pot.
You become the toxic person that people start to avoid or complain about.
A track record of accomplishments without feeling good about them.
Not being satisfied with all you have done.
You’re worried it’ll never be enough.
A strong drive to keep going even when you don't have energy, eventually turning into not caring whether you keep going or not.
Not being satisfied with all you have done.
You’re worried it’ll never be enough.
A strong drive to keep going even when you don't have energy, eventually turning into not caring whether you keep going or not.
A strong, visceral, negative reaction to any suggestion to take it easy, relax, do self-care, take time off.
Decreased access to your emotions.
Not remembering whether you ever had access to your emotions.
Being certain you never did.
Not remembering whether you ever had access to your emotions.
Being certain you never did.
It's harder to tell when you are tired, sleepy, hungry, full, etc.
It's harder to tell whether you really want to be on Twitter, gaming, sleeping, or whether you're doing things out of habit.
Having less access to what your body feels in general.
It's harder to tell whether you really want to be on Twitter, gaming, sleeping, or whether you're doing things out of habit.
Having less access to what your body feels in general.
Sensory sensitivities get more intense, worse, harder to deal with, more frustrating.
It is harder to believe that they’ll ever get better.
Overwhelm is always a breath away.
Or nothing feels stimulating enough to be satisfying.
Meltdowns or shutdowns are always imminent.
It is harder to believe that they’ll ever get better.
Overwhelm is always a breath away.
Or nothing feels stimulating enough to be satisfying.
Meltdowns or shutdowns are always imminent.
Brain fog.
Memory issues.
Forgetting details of your SIs that you never would have before.
More frequently forgetting words for common objects, the word is on the tip of your tongue feeling.
Memory issues.
Forgetting details of your SIs that you never would have before.
More frequently forgetting words for common objects, the word is on the tip of your tongue feeling.
More reliance on escapism, dissociating, video games, overeating, alcohol, drugs, etc.
Getting on peoples case about what they do or say around you.
Arguing more with people, online or IRL, who disagree with you.
Less tolerance for people having different opinions.
Trying harder than ever to control other people.
Arguing more with people, online or IRL, who disagree with you.
Less tolerance for people having different opinions.
Trying harder than ever to control other people.
The more people get on your case to do things, the less you are able to do.
The more you try to do things, the more problems there are and the less well they turn out.
The more you try to do things, the more problems there are and the less well they turn out.
More and more people suggest that you need help, whether or not you believe them or want it.
You've probably tried many things over the years that haven't helped, and are more convinced than ever that nothing will ever work.
You've probably tried many things over the years that haven't helped, and are more convinced than ever that nothing will ever work.
Keeping your living space clean or tidy is becoming a bigger and bigger problem.
Small tasks feel huge.
Every little thing seems like a gigantic undertaking.
Decreased executive function.
Small tasks feel huge.
Every little thing seems like a gigantic undertaking.
Decreased executive function.
More problems at work.
Losing work.
Trying a job and not managing.
Even part time may be too much.
Or not being able to stop working, ever, even when others suggest you should.
Losing work.
Trying a job and not managing.
Even part time may be too much.
Or not being able to stop working, ever, even when others suggest you should.
People are harder.
You're more likely to blurt out the “wrong” thing without thinking.
May be less likely to care about whether they care.
More likely to give your real opinion, bluntly.
Loss of ability to speak, sometimes or at all.
It's harder, then impossible, to mask.
You're more likely to blurt out the “wrong” thing without thinking.
May be less likely to care about whether they care.
More likely to give your real opinion, bluntly.
Loss of ability to speak, sometimes or at all.
It's harder, then impossible, to mask.
Any existing chronic illnesses get worse, flare up, or have increased pain.
Some people make large scale life changes without any warning to themselves or others.
(This is sometimes a subconscious drive to get away from energy drains before it gets too bad, and may be a good thing.)
(This is sometimes a subconscious drive to get away from energy drains before it gets too bad, and may be a good thing.)
A feeling that the world would be better off without you.
That you're just a drain on resources.
That you're not adding anything good to the world.
That it'll never get better.
Suicidal thoughts, with or without an intention to act.
That you're just a drain on resources.
That you're not adding anything good to the world.
That it'll never get better.
Suicidal thoughts, with or without an intention to act.
A feeling of hitting a wall.
Everything feels harder.
Making phone calls is *even* worse/harder/impossible.
Everything feels harder.
Making phone calls is *even* worse/harder/impossible.
Panic attacks.
Increased anxiety.
Anti-depressants having no (useful) effect.
Increased anxiety.
Anti-depressants having no (useful) effect.
Common misdiagnoses include:
Bipolar
Depression
Adrenal fatigue
Laziness
Selfishness
A worsening of other pre-existing conditions
“It’s only in your head.”
PTSD or CPTSD
Bipolar
Depression
Adrenal fatigue
Laziness
Selfishness
A worsening of other pre-existing conditions
“It’s only in your head.”
PTSD or CPTSD
Nevertheless it is ALWAYS worthwhile to check with a doctor to rule out a medical explanation, as the above symptoms can also be signs of your body struggling to cope with physical or mental health challenges.
A few addons:
Sleep disruptions, lack of sleep, or sleeping all the time without feeling rested.
More reliance on routines. Disruptions cause more stress.
Decreased facial recognition.
Sleep disruptions, lack of sleep, or sleeping all the time without feeling rested.
More reliance on routines. Disruptions cause more stress.
Decreased facial recognition.
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