What is autistic burnout?
Fatigue and subsequently burnout can happen to anyone. However, as an autistic person, you can be more susceptible to both due to the pressures of everyday life, having to navigate social situations and sensory overload.
Trying to cope with these pressures can lead to exhaustion and overtime can lead to autistic burnout. This can happen at any period when you experience lots of change or stress.
Autistic burnout can often result in challenges making decisions and managing daily tasks and activities. Memory can also be affected as well as increased sensory sensitivities. Some autistic people have described autistic burnout as :
It feels like every minor challenge is a huge set back and my capacity to cope with the smallest of challenges crashes.
Causes of burnout
There are a few possible causes of autistic burnout, including:
- Camouflaging/ masking autistic traits. This is the most common.
- Sensory processing differences.
- Lack of sleep for extended periods of time.
- Physical and medical concerns.
- Social interactions that happen too frequently.
- Repeated or prolonged social and/or conflicts, or extreme stress.
- Lack of support or recognition of struggles from others.
- Unrealistic expectations in work, social and personal situations.
- Lack of considerations, adjustments or breaks from stressful situations.
- Unexpected or rapid changes.
Preventing burnout
It can be important to recognise autistic burnout and whilst it may not always be prevented, it’s important to identify and implement strategies which can help in these situations. There are many ways in which you can reduce the risk of burnout, such as:
- Spending time unmasking.
- Reducing load.
- Speaking to someone who you trust and will offer their support.
Autistic burnout can often result in challenges making decisions and managing daily tasks and activities. Memory can also be affected as well as increased sensory sensitivities.