Autistic burnout-how long can it last ?

[BeansOn]

Can it be permanent?
really worried it might be.

im looking back to years ago where I could do so much more. Yes I’d get overwhelmed but no to the point of loss of function and all the other problems now.

I need to ‘reset’ somehow but is it possible ? I can’t be stuck like this

i always judged myself against NT people and felt bad now I’m judging my current self against my past self 😞

This may not be possible where you are, but psilocybin really helped me. Functions as a reset for the brain.

I will research . Thankyou

I’m just so disappointed with myself. I don’t have the drive there’s nothing zero motivation just exhaustion

Yeah, mine appears to be permanent. I blame the menopause as something definitely changed in me and I'm convinced it's to do with that. I can't take hrt so there's no way back.

How old are you? Could it be menopause. Don't underestimate the effect that it has on our minds and social functioning.

I've got a horrible feeling it can. I can't do half as much now in my 40s as I could do 10 years ago.

Interesting you mention menopause as I feel mine was triggered by PND even when I felt ‘better’ the burnout has remained and I can’t pinpoint any exact reasons why I can’t function anymore but I just can’t 😞

Are you able to see your GP about it? Perhaps get some medication or talk to someone? I take an SSRI and it helps make things more bearable.

I hope not as I’m only 23 :(

So sorry you’re struggling, OP.
i’m also guilty of comparing myself. It’s really important to be kind to yourself though

I think it's natural for energy and vigour to decline somewhat as you age anyway, but yes, I had a total mental breakdown about 20 years ago, partly due to burnout, that took almost 10 years to feel somewhat recovered from, but I definitely lost the drive, energy, and ability to concentrate that I used to have, and it's never come back fully even though I consider myself mentally well and reasonably happy now.

does it make sense that I feel like I’ve become more autistic?

my gp is so unsympathetic 😞

I keep thinking back to times where I’ve been under more stress in my life but managed more - now it’s like everything has fallen away that I’m not held up by anything and have no tolerance for anything, no patience and no motivation. Everything is magnified and I’m totally completely burnt out and it’s sort of like mental and physical exhaustion but more than that if that makes any sense

Also my previously amazing memory has suddenly got less amazing and that panics me a bit to forget things

This was my experience. Did a lot in my twenties, began to see decline as I got older. Struggling now with a non sleeping autistic teen.

This too. Horrible isn't it?

I've just seen this thread (after posting mine) and I can relate so much to this. I didn't realise autistic burnout was a thing, but I was diagnosed with ME 6 years ago (prior to any suggestion of autism) and it makes so much sense.

The ME doesn't seem to have been caused by a virus as most people experience, but came on following problems I had at work (bullying after I made a complaint about comments which were regarded by everyone else in my team at "just banter"). It has worsened over the last 6 years and has affected me physically - a few months prior to my diagnosis I stuck my tent on the back of my bike at the spur of the moment and cycled round the Hebrides, now I'm a wheelchair user.

So, I'm not sure whether it's the same autistic burnout as you're experiencing but if it is then yes, I'm afraid I think it can be permanent.

Have you had Covid ? I don’t have the same energy and my memory which was previously excellent is very poor

Yeah, I get this. I have regular shutdowns and have probably got long term burnout now. I do think it can be a combination of things.

So for me, I was able to mask easily in my 20's, less so in 30's, became very difficult in 40's. Add in menopause and physical health conditions = only able to function sporadically. Really find people and situations difficult to deal with now. Avoid in person social contact at any cost.

I suppose it affects us all differently at different times of our life. I find most scenarios extremely difficult to deal with now. Such is the nature of retreating and protecting oneself from weird outside influences that freak me out.

I do try and do some small things each week though, as I'd hate for it to become a full on agoraphobia situation. Mostly for my DDs sake.

I am going to the dr next week about an autistic diagnosis (daughter diagnosed and liely parents are).

I was diagnosed with ME which led to me giving up my career however I am in a burnout state at the moment and feeling so low. I'm so aware of all the things I cant do and despite having amazing skills and qualifications am not coping.

I am looking at "easier" work. Giving up on the career and accepting I can't manage..

It is hard.