Finally getting out of autistic burnout | what is it and how did I overcome it?

Summary

In this video, the creator discusses their personal experience with autistic burnout, a severe mental health crisis affecting the autistic community. They share their journey of recovery, emphasizing the importance of rest, lifestyle changes, and therapy. The creator also provides insight into the challenges of identifying and treating burnout, stressing the need for patience and self-compassion during the healing process.

Takeaways

• 😔 The speaker has been experiencing 'autistic burnout' for over two years, which is a severe state of exhaustion affecting both mental and physical health.
• 🛑 Autistic burnout is not just a feeling of being tired; it's a mental health crisis that can drastically reduce one's functionality and productivity.
• 🏠 The speaker had to move back home with their parents during the burnout phase because they could no longer take care of themselves independently.
• 🔄 Coming out of burnout is a slow process that involves gradually reintroducing responsibilities into one's life to find a sustainable threshold.
• 🤔 There is no one-size-fits-all solution to autistic burnout; it requires lifestyle changes, rest, and potentially therapy.
• 🌱 The speaker emphasizes the importance of making rest a priority and stopping when feeling overwhelmed, despite the internal struggle with guilt or laziness.
• 🧠 The speaker's brain often 'gaslights' them, making them feel like they are lazy or faking their condition, which is a common internal battle for those with burnout.
• 👩‍⚕️ Therapy is crucial for addressing internalized ableism and learning to rest without guilt, which are key steps in recovery.
• 📉 Autistic burnout can be triggered by an unsustainable lifestyle, and recovery involves making necessary adjustments to one's daily routine and expectations.
• 🚫 There is no quick fix for burnout; it requires a long-term commitment to change and rest, which can be frustrating but is essential for recovery.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker suggests leaning on others for support, giving up some responsibilities, and making accommodations to ease the burden during recovery.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the video script?

The main topic discussed in the video script is 'autistic burnout' and the process of recovering from it.

Why has the video creator not made a YouTube video for a month?

The video creator has been tired and has been focusing on rest to avoid falling back into autistic burnout, which has affected their productivity.

What does the video creator mean by 'making rest a priority'?

Making rest a priority means that the video creator is consciously taking breaks and not overworking themselves to prevent a relapse into burnout.

What is the video creator's strategy for slowly reintroducing responsibilities into their life?

The video creator is adding one responsibility every week or every other week, assessing their ability to handle it, and then deciding if they can take on more.

How long has the video creator been recovering from autistic burnout?

The video creator has been recovering from autistic burnout for about 2 and a half years.

What does the video creator define 'autistic burnout' as?

Autistic burnout is defined as a mental health crisis that autistic people experience, affecting the entire nervous system and drastically changing functionality, productivity, and emotions.

Why do some autistic individuals not realize they are autistic until they experience burnout?

Some autistic individuals may not realize they are autistic until they experience burnout because the symptoms can mirror other mental health issues like depression, leading them to seek medical attention and receive a diagnosis.

What lifestyle changes did the video creator make to help recover from autistic burnout?

The video creator gave up many responsibilities, such as cooking and housework, and relied more on their parents for support during the recovery process.

What role does therapy play in the recovery from autistic burnout according to the video creator?

Therapy plays a crucial role in addressing internalized ableism, learning to rest without guilt, and working through mental health issues associated with autistic burnout.

Why is it important not to rush the recovery process from autistic burnout?

Rushing the recovery process can lead to taking on too many responsibilities too quickly, which can push the individual back into burnout and undo the progress made.

What advice does the video creator give for managing the desire to return to the previous lifestyle before burnout?

The video creator advises adjusting goals and expectations, as the previous lifestyle may not be sustainable and changes need to be made for a healthier and more balanced life.