Thread by @hmm_cook

🧵Common warning signs of autistic burnout:

Either that it's coming soon, or that you’re in it.

People in burnout may experience some of these, but probably never all of them.

#AutisticBurnout #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #AutisticTwitter #AuDHD
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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.

In no particular order:
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Low energy.

Exhaustion.

Sleep disruptions, lack of sleep, or sleeping all the time without feeling rested.
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Brain fog.

Memory issues.

Forgetting details of your special interests that you never would have before.

More frequently forgetting words for common objects, the word is on the tip of your tongue feeling.

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Decreased access to your emotions.

Not remembering whether you ever had access to your emotions.

Being certain you never did.
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Isolating from other people, often in gradual increments so you don’t notice until people start pointing it out.

Being more of a hermit than usual.

Answering phone or text messages even less than usual.

Making phone calls is *even* worse/harder/impossible.

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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 direct language.

More likely to give your real opinion, bluntly.

Loss of ability to speak, sometimes or at all.

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Making large scale life changes without warning to self 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.)

More reliance on escapism, dissociating, video games, overeating, alcohol, drugs, etc.
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Anti-depressants having no (useful) effect.

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.

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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.

A feeling of hitting a wall.

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Getting frustrated more easily, at more things.

Increased negativity.

You become the toxic person people start to avoid or complain about.

Getting on peoples cases about what they do or say, how they act around you.

Less tolerance for people having different opinions.
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Arguing more with people, online or IRL, who disagree with you.

The conviction that if people just did what you said, it would be so much better.

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.
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A feeling that you “have to” do things.

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.
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A strong, visceral, negative reaction to any suggestion to take it easy, relax, do self-care, take time off.

A strong drive to keep going even when you don’t have energy, eventually turning into not caring whether you keep going or not.
14/26

The more you try to do things, the more problems there are and the less well they turn out.

Keeping your living space clean or tidy is becoming a bigger and bigger problem.

Every little thing seems like a gigantic undertaking.

Small tasks feel huge.
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Decreased executive function.

More reliance on routines. Disruptions cause more stress.

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.

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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 if you’re doing things out of habit.

Having less access to what your body feels in general.

Decreased facial recognition.
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It gets harder, and then impossible, to mask.

Meltdowns or shutdowns are always imminent.

Panic attacks.

Increased anxiety.

Increased black and white thinking, all or nothing thinking.

A sense that the world is going to pot.

Everything feels harder.
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Sensory sensitivities get more intense, harder to deal with, more frustrating.

Things start bothering you that didn't before.

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.
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Getting sick easily.

Taking longer than usual to recover.

Minor, or major, injuries or accidents.

Decreased motor control or coordination, especially for detailed tasks.

Dropping or bumping into things more frequently.

Existing chronic illnesses get worse, flare up.
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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

Some may be co-occuring, but overlooking the burnout does not address the entirety of the issue.
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Nevertheless it is ALWAYS worthwhile to check with a doctor to rule out a medical explanation, as many of the above symptoms can also be signs that your body is struggling to cope with physical or mental health challenges.
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Burnout can last for weeks, months, even years or decades if not recognized for what it is and the factors that caused it are not addressed or still affecting you.
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If you'd like a downloadable/printable version of this list, I made one and put it on my blog. You can download it here (genuinely free, no email needed):

autismchrysalis.com/2022/10/08/war…
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