Autistic burnout recovery - all welcome

[SaltyChocolate]

Largely me talking into the ether. Will post sporadically and encourage others.

Been in depression for about 9 months. I was feeling very bad as I have had depression for 6 months twice and got over it and so was worried as I don't know how to get out of depression that has gone on for longer.

I've found it really helpful knowing now I am autistic to reframe it as autistic burnout. Even just accepting there is more than depression (which always leads me to digging deep and thinking must be strong to beat depression) made it easier - I was able to go back to bed and rest for an hour this morning for example which I really badly needed as just had a heavy period.

Rather than pushing myself too hard I am just going to work backwards from what needs doing and break that into steps and do the steps.

I thought I might start a little recovery diary here.

The worry about today is that I'm going to have to mask heavily.

No one really cares if you had a heavy period or not and would rather deal with things in 3 or 4 days when you have more energy.

However I've been tracking my cycle more in terms of whether I was anxious, needed to nap, tetchy etc. so will write down that I was very tired and vacant yesterday, extra sleep today, as knowledge is power and then I can plan.

Ridiculous really, my life is ruled by my period. I think also my calorie intake wasn't high enough as Saturday was super active and then Sunday I couldn't get the energy to cook properly. Generally I am quite good with eating but I do want to start tracking my calories again mainly as I'm a little overweight- that needs a nutrition plan which future me needs to do.

Have a good day me. Corny but you have got this, and don't overpromise as this is about balance.

Loo post haha. OK so far. Getting things done. Not too loud.

I need to bring a little creative book as I like creative puzzles between tasks. I've been posting a lot on social media offering support to others. It's a sign that I need to listen to myself when I do that.

Long day. Very tired. Not sure how burnout recovery is possible. Good things - weather, felt clear headed probably as just had period so hormones are low. Using a planner which is helping provide a structure for the chaos.

Another day. Need another 7 hours in it really. Did a round of dishwasher and laundry. Will catch up and get back into the system of it. Goal for today which will make a big difference is two trips with the recycling. Getting started with work tasks.
Going to try and do tasks systematically.

Did a lot of breaking tasks into steps to try and speed them up. Kind of systematic chaos.

I didn't get the recycling down. I did go for a walk though! And made laundry progress.

Tomorrow is task finishing and more housework. One day at a time is the current motto.

Aha I have isolated the fact that taking a multivitamin is making me really tired. Going to stop and instead eat more fruit and veg.

Hi op , I'm finding your posts fascinating. I hope you don't mind? I'm trying to work out what's going on with my daughter who is 12, has just struggled her way to the end of year 7. School think she is autistic, a year ago I would have laughed in their faces but thing have changed so much I think they're right. All the signs seem to be there now that I look at her as she presents now rather than who she was at primary. She's always had a problem with transitions and this year has been hard. She definitely seems to be suffering autistic burn out...
The one thing I hadn't thought of until I read your post was the whole hormone, puberty thing... This may well be tied up in it as well. Might explain some of the randomness. Think we may need a tracker/diary.... Thank you soooo much!

Hello @Mysa74 . I really struggled with going from primary to secondary and felt quite awkward with puberty. It got easier later on

It was in my 20s in an all female house share that I became more aware of my hormones. I also got interested in nutrition and what you eat at different times of the month. I'm sure there are good books about hormones on Amazon for teenagers.

I find there are cognitive differences - around days 6-14 I am better at multi talking, more sociable, sometimes get over stimulated, don't know when to stop, can feel like anxiety. Tired and more creative around ovulation.

In the second half I'm in more of a nesting mood, may not be as sociable but can be coaxed, more methodical.

Can feel like world is about to end before I come on.

I found eating more carbs, magnesium rich foods helps.

As I was tracking I made a list of things that help me at different times of the month.

I'm not sure what would have helped me at 12- I cried quite a lot and had lots of meltdowns at home. Probably exercise was the best thing, three meals a day, good sleep, not falling out with friends, getting homework done on time, fun breaks at weekends, holidays. Also space, time and encouragement to explore special interests .

Yesterday and today have been extremely hot. I've coped pretty well with very loose cotton clothes and fans. I'm feeling quite zingy, as if I've been plugged into a power grid.

That's very helpful thank you. She's good at carbs, not so good at exercise... Spends far too much time in her room reading, drawing or on her phone. I tried to get her to go to the cinema but she has a complete panic attack and started to shut down on me whan i tried to get to the bottom of it. She was really keen to go last week but I was working late . Maybe hormones are the difference this week . I did check how full the cinema was at the last minute and only 6 seats had sold. This didn't seem to help though.

I don't know if it would work as she might see through it but what about two choices like would you like to go to the cinema or would you like to (something also 'out')? Another thing I found helpful was being given long lead times like we are leaving at X am tomorrow, and then the next day we are leaving in 30 minutes etc.

Was going to go to a class but was tired. Cleaned a room. Felt like good self care. A bag of recycling is bagged up.

Tomorrow I am going for a swim. I will not be allowing any of those excuses. Making my mind up now and will book AND layout swim stuff. Main motivation is an upcoming medical assessment. I also like it and know it will lead onto other things I.e. slowly getting back into training.

Thank you for the suggestions of alternatives. I'll give that a go. I do try with the long lead times. I asked about things she liked to do last week and we decided to go to the seaside tomorrow, I reminded her yesterday and this morning and she still seems up for it. I'll let you know if we actually get there tomorrow...
Sounds like the step by step system is working for you, youre definitely making progress. Swimming sounds like a great idea, I hope your plans work out and you enjoy it. Good luck.

Done some work and took the recycling down. I wish there was two of me and I could heal faster.

Went for a swim. Managed not many lengths. Came home. Slept a couple of hours. Just about to get on with chores.

I've had silent migraine on / off all week.

When I was swimming I was thinking oh this is so easy in 6 weeks I will be fit again. Now don't feel like doing it again, but don't really have much choice.

On the good side, laundry is nearly all done and things are a little cleaner.