How do you deal with burn out?

[11Hawkins]

Does anyone else get burn out?

I've been very busy as of late with DC, I've had so many appointments coming out of my ears, my youngest dc is suspected of being on the spectrum and it's just been appointment, after appointment, form after form. Some very bad meltdowns and behaviour from them as well that I've struggled to put right.
My eldest DC has been transitioning from mainstream to specialist school (also autistic) and that's been not stop to.
I feel so drained these past nine months has been exhausting, I've been trying my hardest to socialise as well as this is something I tend to step back from a lot and have wanted to push myself and I just can't take it anymore.
It's not even 9pm and im in bed exhausted.

I've got a friend texting me telling me there in hospital after taking a overdose and yes I'm very worried but I just can't find myself wanting to reply. 😭
I just want to sleep for a week. I'm always there for everyone else and nobodies there for me just tells me it'll be fine and let me get on with it.
I've struggled with my youngest DC having suspected autism as I was so sure he was neurotypical and it feels like such a kick in the teeth. I feel awful as he's clearly gotten it from me and when I had DC2 I already knew DC1 was autistic so I knew the likely hood of them having it to would be higher.
I don't really know what the point of this post is.... I guess to ask how do you deal with burn out?

It's been so long since I've read a book or picked up a game and actually felt relaxed. When I do try I just feel stressed and start thinking of everything going on I can't focus. Sorry for the emotional dump!

I'm in the same position as you at the moment. My teen has ASD and my middle child who has other medical issues too is now being tested for it. His meltdowns are extreme.
I also feel like I need to sleep for a week. I'm just not recovering at the moment.
No advice, just solidarity

The short answer is rest - lots of it - find ways to shut off/shut out before you get to meltdown or burn out.

That feels like saying here’s the medicine you need, it costs a million pounds per drop, and it’s only available on the moon.

But I think when you’re going through a season of exhaustion and stress, it does help to acknowledge that you are legitimately stressed, over stretched and operating at capacity . Often we judge ourselves very harshly and it’s not fair.

I’ve had to accept that I need more sleep, that I cannot be a brilliant, dynamic, busy person. My speed is slow with lots of stops and time outs. I’m frantically busy inside my brain in invisible ways and that takes its toll.

@Trivester** This rings so true for me! I can be brilliant and fast but only in short bursts and then I need a break to recover. I think perhaps the better speed for me is much slower but I struggle with boredom (awaiting assessment for both ASD and ADHD)

"I cannot be a brilliant, dynamic, busy person. My speed is slow with lots of stops and time outs. I’m frantically busy inside my brain in invisible ways and that takes its toll."

It took me a long time to accept that I am the most important person in my life and if I don't apply good self care, then I don't function well at all.

It's extremely hard to get to the point of accepting the above, but once you start to believe in yourself enough, you will 'give yourself a break'.

Our internal voice is harsh. We would not be piling more and more stuff onto a friend and telling them to 'get on with it' or 'pull yourself together' but we do it to ourselves.

It's time to set a new narrative for yourself - that you need downtime, you need to rest and you cannot be everything to everybody. It's fine to say 'no thanks' to a social event. Reasons or excuses are not required (this takes practice) so don't waste energy thinking of an excuse.