Why High Masking Autistics Experience Burnout

Summary

This video script delves into the experience of 'autistic burnout,' a lesser-known aspect of autism characterized by chronic exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimuli. The speaker, Chris, shares personal struggles with this condition, explaining its symptoms, the challenges it presents in daily life, and the importance of understanding and managing it. The script offers insights into the sensory overload, emotional turmoil, and the need for self-advocacy and support from loved ones during such periods.

Takeaways

• 🔥 Autistic burnout is characterized by pervasive, long-term exhaustion, typically lasting 3 months or longer, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimuli.
• 🌫 Chronic exhaustion in autistic burnout feels like an overwhelming, constant depletion of energy, even after extended periods of sleep.
• 😖 Loss of skills during burnout includes difficulties in thinking, remembering, creating, executing plans, and performing daily activities, leading to frustration and anxiety.
• 😨 Reduced tolerance to stimulus results in increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli, causing more frequent meltdowns and shutdowns.
• 🏠 During burnout, autistic individuals may seek isolation and avoid social engagements and environments that cause overstimulation.
• 🤯 Autistic burnout can lead to physical pain, including headaches and sensitivity to sounds, textures, and lights.
• 😔 The experience of burnout can be dangerous, leading to feelings of being trapped within one's own body and mind, and potentially resulting in suicidal thoughts.
• 🧠 The pain and challenges of burnout can disrupt executive functioning, making it difficult for autistic individuals to self-advocate and care for themselves.
• 🌿 Spending time in nature and embracing soothing activities can aid in recovery from burnout, as natural sounds and environments are often more tolerable.
• 👕 Wearing comfortable clothes and maintaining basic routines, like getting dressed and brushing teeth, can provide structure and support during burnout.
• 🤝 Support from understanding friends, family, or loved ones is crucial, as they can provide silent support and practical help without adding to sensory overload.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is 'autistic burnout', discussing its symptoms, experiences, and ways to cope with it.

How does the speaker describe the feeling of having an autistic burnout?

The speaker describes the feeling of autistic burnout as pervasive exhaustion, with the brain feeling like it's on fire, experiencing electric shocks, and overall pain. It's also characterized by heightened sensitivity to minor sounds and constant feelings of being overwhelmed.

What is the definition of autistic burnout according to Professor Dora Raymaker?

According to Professor Dora Raymaker, autistic burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports, characterized by long-term exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimuli.

What are some of the symptoms of chronic exhaustion as described in the script?

Chronic exhaustion in the context of autistic burnout includes mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, feeling depleted of energy, and struggling with overextension in daily life.

How does the speaker describe the impact of burnout on their ability to perform daily tasks?

The speaker describes a significant loss of skills during burnout, making it difficult to perform activities of daily living, execute plans, use vocational skills, socialize, regulate emotions, and live independently.

What does the script suggest about the connection between autistic burnout and sensory sensitivity?

The script suggests that during autistic burnout, individuals have a massively reduced tolerance to stimuli, leading to increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli, more frequent over-stimulation, and a higher likelihood of meltdowns and shutdowns.

What are some of the dangers associated with autistic burnout as mentioned in the script?

The dangers of autistic burnout include isolation, potential suicidal thoughts, neglect of self-care, and the possibility of losing a job or having to frequently call in sick due to the inability to function properly.

How does the speaker differentiate autistic burnout from non-autistic depression or burnout?

The speaker differentiates autistic burnout by emphasizing its unique symptoms such as the need to isolate, reduced sensory stimuli tolerance, and the physical pain associated with sensory over-stimulation, which are not typically addressed in traditional suggestions for dealing with non-autistic depression or burnout.

What advice does the speaker give for someone experiencing autistic burnout?

The speaker advises to eat what one wants, find quiet and soothing places, wear comfortable clothes, embrace activities that feel soothing, and maintain basic routines like getting up, getting dressed, and brushing teeth even when they feel overwhelming.

What is the speaker's perspective on the importance of understanding autistic burnout?

The speaker believes that understanding autistic burnout is crucial for both autistic individuals and those who are close to them, as it helps in providing the necessary support and accommodations to manage and recover from burnout.

How does the speaker address the issue of rumination during autistic burnout?

The speaker addresses rumination as an intensified feature during burnout, where negative thoughts and past experiences replay in the mind, potentially leading to feelings of anger, fear, and pushing people away.

Outlines

00:00

🔥 Autistic Burnout: The Struggle and Experience

The speaker, Chris, introduces the topic of 'autistic burnout'—a state of chronic exhaustion and heightened sensitivity to stimuli that can last for months. It is characterized by pervasive exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimuli. Chris shares personal experiences of feeling overwhelmed, constantly tired, and experiencing physical discomfort from minor sounds or changes in temperature. Autistic burnout is described as a result of chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate support. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding this phenomenon, which is often misunderstood and understudied.

05:03

🤯 The Impact of Autistic Burnout on Daily Life

This paragraph delves into the specific challenges faced during an episode of autistic burnout, including cognitive difficulties, frustration with reduced capabilities, and heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli. Chris discusses the loss of skills in various areas, such as cognitive tasks, socializing, and self-care, which can lead to feelings of fear and anxiety about the future. The reduced tolerance to stimuli is particularly distressing, causing physical pain, headaches, and the need for constant self-soothing behaviors. The speaker also touches on the paradox of needing support while also desiring solitude due to sensory sensitivities.

10:04

🌑 The Dark Side of Autistic Burnout: Dangers and Depression

Chris highlights the darker aspects of autistic burnout, such as the increased risk of isolation, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. The speaker explains how burnout can exacerbate existing conditions like ADHD and how it can lead to a disconnection from the joy found in special interests. Traditional advice for dealing with depression, such as socializing and exercising, is noted as potentially ineffective or even harmful during burnout. The paragraph also addresses the difficulty in self-advocacy during this time and the heightened sensitivity to human behavior, which can further contribute to feelings of alienation and rumination.

15:04

🌱 Coping Strategies and Support for Autistic Burnout

The final paragraph offers advice on how to cope with and support individuals experiencing autistic burnout. Chris suggests self-observation to identify triggers and early signs of burnout, emphasizing the importance of self-care, including eating preferred foods, seeking quiet and comfortable environments, and wearing soothing clothing. The speaker encourages patience and kindness towards oneself during this challenging time and acknowledges that recovery is possible. The paragraph concludes with a message of hope and community support, inviting viewers to share their experiences and offering thanks for the viewership and support.

Keywords

💡Autistic Burnout

Autistic Burnout refers to a state of chronic exhaustion and reduced tolerance to stimuli, often resulting from a mismatch between life expectations and an individual's abilities, particularly in the context of autism. It is a pervasive condition that can last for extended periods, leading to a loss of function. In the video, the speaker describes their personal experience with autistic burnout, illustrating the concept with vivid examples of their daily struggles and the physical and mental exhaustion they face.

💡Sensory Overload

Sensory Overload is a condition where an individual experiences an excessive response to sensory stimuli, which can be overwhelming and lead to discomfort or pain. In the context of the video, the speaker mentions heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli during burnout, such as sounds and textures, which exacerbate their physical discomfort and contribute to the overall experience of autistic burnout.

💡Mental and Physical Exhaustion

Mental and physical exhaustion are states of extreme tiredness affecting both the mind and body, often resulting from overextension or chronic stress. The video script describes this exhaustion as a pervasive symptom of autistic burnout, where the speaker feels depleted of energy and struggles with even the simplest of tasks, like brushing their teeth or breathing.

💡Loss of Skills

Loss of skills in the context of autistic burnout refers to the diminished ability to perform activities of daily living, execute plans, or engage in social interactions that the individual was previously capable of. The speaker in the video talks about their frustration with the inability to concentrate or hold a conversation during burnout, which is a stark contrast to their usual capabilities.

💡Stimming

Stimming, short for self-stimulatory behavior, is a repetitive action that some individuals with autism engage in to self-regulate or cope with overwhelming sensory input or emotions. The video describes how the speaker engages in stimming behaviors, such as running their hands through their hair or pacing, as a way to soothe themselves during burnout.

💡Masking

Masking in the context of autism refers to the act of hiding or suppressing one's autistic traits to fit into societal expectations or norms. The video script mentions that during burnout, the speaker loses the ability to mask, which means they are unable to perform the usual behaviors that help them appear 'neurotypical' to others.

💡Isolation

Isolation in the video refers to the tendency of individuals experiencing burnout to withdraw from social interactions and activities due to the overwhelming nature of their condition. The speaker describes wanting to be left alone as a result of the pain and discomfort caused by burnout, which can lead to further disconnection from others.

💡Rumination

Rumination is the act of repeatedly thinking over the same thoughts, events, or conversations, often leading to negative emotions or increased stress. In the script, the speaker discusses how burnout intensifies their tendency to ruminate, causing them to dwell on past negative experiences and feel a heightened sense of anger or fear.

💡Depression

Depression is a mental health condition characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, loss of interest, and a lack of energy. The video script highlights the connection between burnout and depression, noting that the symptoms of autistic burnout can be mistaken for depression, but the underlying causes and appropriate coping strategies may differ significantly.

💡Self-Advocacy

Self-advocacy is the act of speaking up for oneself, especially in the context of disability rights. The video mentions the difficulty of self-advocacy during burnout, as the speaker is unable to articulate their needs or think clearly enough to ask for help, which can lead to further challenges in managing their condition.

💡Recovery

Recovery in the context of the video refers to the process of healing or regaining one's normal functioning after experiencing burnout. The speaker suggests strategies for recovery, such as spending time in nature, wearing comfortable clothes, and being patient with oneself, which can help alleviate the symptoms of burnout and support the individual's journey back to a more balanced state.

Highlights

Autistic burnout is described as a syndrome resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate supports.

It is characterized by pervasive long-term exhaustion typically 3 months or longer, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus.

The speaker shares personal experiences of chronic exhaustion, comparing it to slogging through a heavy fog underwater with a weight.

During burnout, even taking medication feels physically heavier, and everyday tasks like brushing teeth become a struggle.

Loss of skills during burnout includes difficulty with cognitive challenges, holding conversations, and performing daily activities.

The anxiety around the loss of skills can cause further frustration and exhaustion.

Reduced tolerance to stimulus during burnout leads to increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli, causing physical pain and discomfort.

The speaker emphasizes the difficulty of sensory input management during burnout, often leading to zoning out or stimming behaviors.

Burnout can result in a loss of independence and executive functioning, making even basic self-care challenging.

The inability to self-advocate during burnout due to the inability to think clearly and communicate needs effectively.

Autistic burnout can lead to feelings of isolation, disconnection from others, and a heightened sense of the world's challenges for autistic individuals.

The dangers of autistic burnout include increased risk of depression, anxiety, and potentially suicidal thoughts.

Traditional suggestions for combating depression may not be effective for autistic burnout due to the unique challenges it presents.

The speaker recommends becoming an expert observer of oneself to identify triggers and signs of impending burnout.

During burnout, the speaker suggests eating comforting foods, finding quiet spaces, and embracing soothing activities.

Maintaining basic routines, even when overwhelming, can provide structure and help during burnout.

The importance of patience and self-compassion during burnout is emphasized, acknowledging the struggle and the potential for recovery.

The speaker plans to create more content on the subject and invites viewers to share their experiences and what helped them during burnout.

A reminder that burnout is not permanent and a call for solidarity among those experiencing it, offering support and understanding.

Transcripts

today we're talking burnout

autistic

burnout do you ever feel like your brain

is on fire fire and electric shocks and

just all around pain if feels like you

need to dump a bucket of cold water on

it or stick your face in a freezer maybe

your body jolts for minor sounds the

scrape of a chair leg on the floor a car

horn in the distance perhaps you feel

nauseous from being slightly overheated

or someone asking a simple question that

might generally be fine do you feel

tired all the time like literally all of

the time and what about the constant

feeling of being overwhelmed every

single day drop a fork on the floor and

you just might lose it this is how I've

been experiencing the world every day

for the last 2 and 1/2 years but why

what the heck is going on with my brain

well I'm in the middle of autistic

burnout and this is one of the least

studied and most misunder Ood parts of

autism based on my own experiences and

research I've done on the topic so why

does autistic burnout happen how is it

different from other types of burnout

how can someone get through it today

I'll be answering all of these questions

I'm going to tell you all about autistic

burnout what it looks like my experience

with it on and off for more than 5 years

why everyone should work to understand

it and at the end what you can do to

help if you're on your own as an

autistic or if you're a friend family

member or loved one of someone autistic

who is experiencing burnout but first

for my returning friends thanks for

being here this is a tough video for me

to make so I really appreciate your

support and for anyone new to this

channel my name is Chris and I was

diagnosed as autistic in addition to

having ADHD at the age of 41 and after

years of burnout that I didn't

understand until only recently after I

got my autism diagnosis so let's

understand what autistic burnout is in a

study done in 2021 Professor Dora

raymaker defies autistic burnout as a

syndrome conceptualized as resulting

from chronic life stress and a mismatch

of expectations and abilities without

adequate supports it is characterized by

pervasive long-term exhaustion typically

3 months or longer loss of function and

reduced tolerance to stimulus o let's

break that definition of autistic

burnout down and I'll also share some

examples from my own experiences chronic

exhaustion according to Professor

raymaker for autistics and burnout

chronic exhaustion includes mental

physical and emotional exhaustion

feeling exhausted a complete depletion

of energy from overextending ourselves

in daily life for me this is the most

pervasive symptom and it's always there

during burnout but what's really crazy

it's not even the hardest of the

symptoms I'll get to that in a minute

but I'm just so freaking tired pure

exhaustion all the time it feels a lot

like slogging through a heavy fog while

being deep deep deep underwater with an

8 th000 ton Cannonball strapped to your

back and one to your neck this is

probably why a lot of doctors might get

confused with depression symptoms but it

is so much more than that I already have

difficulties with falling asleep and

staying asleep but even when I sleep

more than 12 14 16 hours a day I am

still so exhausted and it doesn't go

away or get better even with sleep but

if I don't sleep

well it's a billion times wor worse so

this exhaustion connects to other parts

of autistic burnout but it's the most

pervasive part of burnout compared to

Everyday over stimulation the exhaustion

makes it hard to get out of burnout too

because I can't think or do anything

because it all feels so hard even taking

medication is hard during burnout the

pills feel physically heavier and the

reminder that I need to keep taking

medicine somehow just exhaust my brain

more I struggle with brushing my teeth

that's really interesting because I I

used to be strong enough to bench press

my toothbrush 4,000 times with one hand

now I can barely lift the brush up to my

mouth even breathing feels hard to do

which is partly related to anxiety and

also the constant worry that my body and

brain are so messed up but breathing is

exhausting it's like my body and brain

are working against me in everything

that I'm doing loss of skills this loss

of skills includes thinking remembering

creating executing plans performing

activities of daily living and

instrumental activities of daily living

using vocational skills in school or

work socializing regulating emotions and

living independently I struggle with all

of these during burnout first I can't

really spend longer than 15 minutes on

anything cognitively challenging some

days I can't even do a minute this is so

freaking frustrating because I remember

when this wasn't the norm when I could

tackle so many projects and just keep

going and going and going and going but

now it's been so long since I was able

to do that it really bothers me quite

honestly it pisses the crap out of me

it's difficult to hold a conversation

the back and forth and needing to think

and respond and put together full

sentences hurts my brain especially when

I get frustrated at burnout I can't keep

going with the conversation this also

makes it hard to work through the period

of burnout I'm not able to to do work

like usual which means that my brain

doesn't have as much to focus on and the

pain in my body feels heightened it's

bothersome not to be able to answer

questions like I usually would or to

feel like I know the answer but I just

can't put it into words right now that's

the loss of skills but it's not only

frustrating it's also scary what if I

can't do these things again in the

future the anxiety around these issues

also causes me problems I forget things

all the time like where my glasses are

and and putting the cap back on the

toothpaste I forget where I put my phone

then I get really stressed out about

that and then I need to rest because I

feel so darn exhausted I forget to take

my medicine sometimes but I didn't used

to have this issue so Debbie doesn't

even know how to remind me sometimes and

I forget to ask for the reminder one way

to look at autistic burnout and the loss

of skills is like this you remember how

witty you used to be conversation wasn't

challenging

how you could plan trips or oversee a

company your brain remembers that and

knows that you should be able to do all

that but now you have a difficult time

putting on socks or pouring water into a

glass without spilling everywhere that's

how hard the loss of skills during

autistic burnout can hit reduced

tolerance to stimulus when autistic

people are in Burnout we are more

sensitive than usual to environmental

stimuli which means we are less able to

tune this stimuli out we get get over

stimulated more often we have an

increase in meltdowns and shutdowns and

we try to avoid stimulation including

social engagements environments and

activities even those we might have

otherwise enjoyed this massively reduced

tolerance to stimuli is the hardest part

of burnout for me it causes so much

physical pain piercing headaches lots

and lots of pain in my head the back of

my head hurts to even touch just just a

little bit sounds and various textures

and lights make it much worse the sounds

are really really hard because they

really bother me so much during burnout

any noise even normal talking hurts most

things over a gentle talk or a slight

whisper is painful honestly even the

sound of my own voice hurts I itch a lot

mostly in my face but sometimes my back

my arms everything is painful and then

of course I can't think like I normally

would so when I can't handle all of the

sensory input I zone out and think about

things that aren't real but of course

nobody can see what's happening in my

head I'm also enduring a lot of pain and

doing tons of stemming basically I'm

stimming all the time running my hands

through my hair tapping pacing rocking

I'm not always like this and I know it

but during burnout my body is an

overdrive it's frantically attempting to

soothe itself and the stemming is almost

always happening or else I'm just laying

in bed because I'm completely exhausted

the result of the pain from this

reduction to tolerance is that I just

want to be left alone so often but I

also can't be alone because of all the

other things that happened in Burnout

like my loss of skills it means I lose a

lot of Independence in Burnout executive

functioning is so messed up I would

forget to eat and drink if I didn't have

other people around but I also don't

want anyone around at least 80% of the

time because of the noise and thinking

involved people are always telling

autistics to self- Advocate which is

true but during burnout I can't self-

Advocate because I can't even think what

I need friends or loved ones might say

hey tell me what you need and I'll do it

but I can't even process things because

I can't think that pisses me off and

then all I can say is I can't I don't

know and sometimes that confuses people

burnout is when I understand why autism

is classified as a disability it feels

completely debilitating I can't do

anything or function like I know I

should or like I know I can't and some

people might say oh but you're just

trying to do too much or you're not

understanding your limits as an autistic

person and honestly that's one of the

hardest parts I know I'm autistic and I

have ADHD but I also know how much I'm

capable of when my brain and body are

cooperating I can do a lot of stuff

during burnout I can't do it and that

realization that I'm trapped in this

body that doesn't feel like me is why

burnout can be dangerous the dangers of

autistic burnout so so when I'm having

all of these hard dark days all of the

time autism feels completely

overwhelming as an autistic person my

Baseline is uncomfortable in general and

mildly irritable and then it's kind of a

progression to worse but when I'm in

Burnout I've already started further

down that Spectrum with no patience and

I'm so much closer to meltdown

constantly like when you don't get a

good night's sleep and you're irritable

and then the pain back top side of head

like someone smashed me with something

heavy and sharp and it just freaking

hurts all over it's like that every day

of burnout some days worse than others

anxiety and brain pain there's the dull

but persistent worry that this will

never go away deep and painful levels of

anxiety I feel trapped in my own body

and brain and my brain is just active

enough to know your brain is just not

right and it's not getting better fast

enough my brain hurts so much during

burnout like someone injected me with a

combination of millions of burning and

freezing little bbb's in my brain all

with spikes so I get the hot and cold

sensation behind my eyes weighted and

heavy like heavy burning ice Spikes all

at the same time inside my brain this

pain and pain throughout my body happens

all the time in Burnout no one can see

it but I can feel it masking during

burnout I lose the ability to mask it

all takes so so much effort so when I'm

in Burnout I don't want to go out

anywhere unless it's a place I feel very

safe and comfortable but mostly I want

to avoid people because I don't feel

comfortable anywhere except out in

nature anything that takes work or

masking like eye contact I just can't do

it and I can't do small talk in the

grocery store or gas station I just

can't do it and when I know it's likely

it's better for me to stay home or in a

safe controlled environment connections

to depression things you found joy in

doing sometimes don't bring you Joy

during burnout it's not as easy as doing

your special interest if you were to see

a doctor without them knowing that you

are autistic it's likely that they would

say you were depressed and maybe you are

but the problem with this is that while

it looks similar to non-autistic

depression or burnout research shows

that it is completely different

traditional suggestions for helping with

depression like exercise eating well

sleeping more doing things you enjoy or

the worst suggestion for an autistic

spending more time out with friends and

family socializing these suggestions

just won't work for you if you're

autistic I'm not saying it's simpler for

non-autistics but those don't take into

account the pain the need to isolate the

reduction of sensory stimuli and

everything else so while it might help

to spend time with a couple of special

people this might not be because you

need to connect with people it might be

because those people understand what's

happening and can help you get the food

you need and just silently support you

if that's what you want and need at that

particular moment less patient with

people burnout is a time when I suddenly

feel less connections with other people

not necessarily the important people in

my life but Humanity in general so to be

honest I think this might happen because

people are a large reason why autistics

fall into burnout all the negative

aspects of humans and human nature and

Humanity come to light for me during

burnout people look uglier their voices

bother me more than usual you think

about how mean people are and how

predictable they seem in their

narrow-mindedness whereas when I'm not

in Burnout I might notice the good

qualities of people or little things

that make you smile or laugh randomly

not in Burnout people seem like the

enemy of Peace for my brain on the flip

side though the people helping me in

Burnout I can feel good about them I

know how much they are doing because I

know how much I can't do right now even

if I want to I also know how much

patience they are showing me and how

much they care to be here for all of it

but other humans disrupt our lives so

much as autistics and during burnout

it's a time when I have a hard time with

the world in general and the way it

seems to be built in a way to make life

harder than necessary for me and other

autistic people rumination

rumination rumination where you keep

replaying thoughts or events or

conversations over and over and over in

your brain is always an autistic feature

but in

Burnout the intensity seems magnified I

keep replaying things that happen to to

me weeks months even years ago and

generally they are not positive

experiences autistic therapists are just

starting to dive into the research on

trauma for autistics but from my own

personal experiences there's been a

chunk during these periods of burnout

these memories that I thought I had

already dealt with they all just seem to

come up and just put me into an even

greater hole it makes me feel angry or

scared so I push people away who might

have been involved even if they didn't

realize it so for example there were

times I've mentioned before when I felt

like I needed to go to an event or

meeting with Debbie she didn't really

force me to go but I felt responsible

for joining and this was all long before

I got my autism diagnosis during burnout

I might Replay that event over and over

and think of how miserable I was which

will make me more irritable with Debbie

my logical brain knows that's not fair

but when I'm in Burnout it's harder for

me to separate myself from that event

and to stop ruminating over

it the dangers of burnout include great

isolation from friends family and the

world in general for the autistic person

which can cause future harm but also

lead to really really dark thoughts

during burnout left untreated this part

of burnout is unbearable and can lead to

Suicidal Thoughts I'm not sure how much

of it is connected to depression but

there's a feeling of just wanting to be

free of the feeling of being trapped

within your own body there's also a huge

likelihood that autistic people in

Burnout will not take care of themselves

especially with food water hygiene

exercise routines or things like that

that connect to Executive functioning

it's highly likely these issues will

impact professional work so an autistic

might lose their job or have to keep

calling in sick because they just can't

do it as someone who has both worked in

different jobs and also employed a

neurode Divergent team I understand both

sides it's not easy but the person who

it is the hardest for is the autistic

person who is teetering on the edge of

survival every horrible day of burnout

the really tricky part is that during

burnout there will be some stages where

you can still function you might venture

out and then it deteriorates quickly and

it sends you into this horrible Tail

Spin so how can you help how to help so

what can you do about this well before

burnout if you're autistic you have to

become an expert Observer of yourself

you need to know your triggers you need

to practice noticing before meltdowns

what you struggle with what sensory

stimuli is the hardest work on this

before burnout happen happens but also

notice when you suddenly seem to

struggle more with everything because

this could be the precursor to burnout

during burnout eat what you want eat

what you want to eat like for me nachos

stay away from people and stimulus

especially loud noises and difficult

interactions find quiet places I think

nature is the absolute best if you can

get there sounds of natures are soothing

like water flowing birds chirping wind

through the

trees and the more often you can spend a

nature the faster you will recover

another thing is wear comfortable

clothes wear clothes that won't bother

your brain or require much thought to

pick out it's like having your very own

pajama party all day every day Embrace

whatever feels soothing if it relaxes

you or makes you feel better do it it's

really important to be patient with

yourself understand that if you're

autistic it's highly likely you have or

will experience burnout but if you

already know that when it happens it

might be easier to be kind and patient

with yourself you can practice telling

yourself that you're just struggling in

your brain and then try the things I

already mentioned basically allow your

autistic brain to dictate what it needs

while also keeping routines wherever

possible things like getting up getting

dressed and brushing your teeth keep

these basic routines even when they feel

overwhelming because a bit of structure

and reminders to yourself can help you

get through this tough time because

that's the truth you can and will get

through

it so I hope this helped you better

understand autistic burnout what

questions do you still have drop them in

the comments I plan to make more content

about this subject in the future also if

you've experienced autistic burnout or

know someone who has share your thoughts

comments and observations below I'd

especially love to hear what helped you

most during those hard times for anyone

here is going through burnout right now

just know that you're not alone and you

can get through it the feelings aren't

permanent but when you are in Burnout it

really sucks I know but we'll get

through it together thanks for watching

want to give a quick shout out to user

nnn

NCCC for recommending kombucha and

sauerkraut I will drink the kombucha and

I will eat the sauerkraut but what I

will not do is drink sauerkraut flavored

kombucha