@flaauws
I've burnt out twice. Once a couple of years before I was diagnosed and again a year after diagnosis. I don't feel I've recovered from the first one, let alone the second: but I'm a parent and have a full-time job, so I have to carry on. The things that I don't have the energy for are the things that make my life more enjoyable and things that are good for my health. But that's how we have to live in a world utterly obsessed with creating even more wealth for a tiny number of already extremely wealthy people.
@paulthompson2991
What a wonderful guest… it’s so important in the autistic community to have such clear and concise thinking and advice - our minds are messy enough already to have blurred conversations to absorb - thanks a lot
@ThisisPam
As a burnt out undiagnosed autistic person, may I suggest a metaphor. A fuse panel where all the fuses are blown. It takes some replacing, some re-wiring, some circuitry changes and perhaps a complete system overhaul to get things back into working condition.
@RuiNa42
Thank you for describing the difference between how depression and burnout feel. That was very helpful!
@dgmacnab
I finally, after two tries, getting the evaluation for Autism. I already know about the ADHD, I just know intrinsically I am AuDHD. Along with other YouTubers who speak on Autism, I am feeling more seen than ever. Greiving my limitations hit hard. Thank you. I've been in burnout for 3 years (at least). Finally addressing it. I have more language now towards self-advocacy.
@andi_audhd
That book sounds like exactly what I need right now. For the first year my daughter was born it felt hard but I was managing, but once I had to reintegrate myself back into my social circles, I felt myself struggle. Then last year it really started to get a lot harder, and a lot more obvious that I was not managing well. My husband found adhd content come across his YouTube account, and he saw those behaviours in me (since we met over 8 years ago). It wasn’t long after I started watching adhd content that the algorithm started presenting ASD content too, and I could relate to it. As the year went on, I went from feeling uncertain about ASD to feeling “yes I actually believe I’m autistic”. Then we moved home in June and it was like my autism went up a few notches and my ocd became a bit disabling. I started allocating a purpose to each of our mugs and my daughter’s sippy cups, I realised that if I leave the house more than once in a day, I had a much higher chance of getting overwhelmed or even meltdown. I’ve been reading books, listening to audio books and podcasts (including Divergent Conversations which I definitely recommend), and YouTube channels on autism. While my adhd got bored and fed up of the adhd content, my interest in learning more about autism has stayed passionate and engaged. I also recommend people get Dr Megan Neff’s first book, “Self care for autistic people”. It’s helped me have a better understanding of my body, mind and how we can be sensitive to somethings and under sensitive to other stimuli. Being a parent has been hard and initially I thought the burnout started in 2024, but after hearing this podcast, I’m starting to think this actually started in 2023, from the time my daughter was born or even earlier.
@bryanmccaffrey4385
Thank you. I've developed an autistic burnout framework based on my own lived experience. It tracks EF, memory, physical, emotional and cognitive skills decreasing. I can see the warnings now. I'll be studying this in grad school.
@Gumboots04
Thank you, Brett and Megan. I am in my second burnout, almost ten years apart. Diagnosed autistic in Nov last year after proving treatment resistant to major depression and social anxiety. Have been on wellness leave and working from home when able. Scared about re-entry to the workplace for all the reasons you covered. This talk was helpful, especially in dealing with grief, ableism, and embracing autism.🙏 Megan, your book on self-care has been a revelation. Again, thank you both.
@gabriellee759
So reassuring to hear this. If only this topic were more widely spoken about and understood.
@critters16
Thank you so much. Ive no support system ,so i do not how to grieve because ive always need to push through- doing for myself
@lizlaywine3521
This was so validating. I’m going to need to listen to this again and again. ❤
@ForeveraContrarian
That's funny about showers being overwhelming for some since I use showers to stim sometimes 5 times a day.
@BeginHealingWithin
Please do an Alexithymia and Autism video. I feel my autistic burnout can sometimes come from this inability to know and communicate emotions
@eltrym
Just brilliant! Thank you so much both of you! X
@janemortimer5264
Thank you so much. You have given me the words and the confidence to speak about the many challenges I have already identified but struggled to communicate particularly to health professionals.
@jenbloom6848
I am grateful to have found you! I’m dx’d AuDHD. Thank you for this conversation.
@stephaniesinclair6678
I was diagnosed with ADHD and OCD as a kid, but for years I have been dealing with what they thought was treatment resistant "anxious" depression and OCD. I just feel like my battery only ever charges to 10% and I'm exhausted. It's been recently that my therapist and psych NP have unofficially diagnosed autism on top of the ADHD/OCD. I also have hEDS and dysautonomia on top of the mental health issues. I have been reading and working through Dr Neff's Autistic Masking Book from her website. This is all starting to make sense now. I can't thank her enough for her perspective and help on this issue. I'm looking forward to her workbook on burnout. Her books are written really well and easy to follow for me.
@lavanat4250
Thank you so much for this video! I had been hesitant to try a new channel about Autism, some are more stressful than helpful. The insights and the gentle tone were very helpful. Thankful for that ending segment!
@laluzmira
Thank you so much for this! I'm recovering from autistic burnout and have thankfully had a bit of time off, but have to return to regular work soon, so this is super helpful. Noting actions rather than internal stuff will make my symptoms so much easier to navigate - great tip! Making a list now :)
@Space_Princess