Autistic fatigue & burnout
Autistic fatigue is a state of extreme mental, physical and/or sensory exhaustion. When the body's resources are overworked, it can result in fatigue. This can then lead on to burnout.
Burnout is the body's response to being in a prolonged state of stress and frustration which can be caused by masking, functioning in world designed for neurotypical brains.
Burnout, and fatigue, is a result of prolonged exposure to over stimulus from the environment or internally, difficulty navigating the world with social and communication challenges and meeting expectations of others as well as sudden changes/impactful events.
Fatigue and burnout can happen to people without ASC, however people with ASC are highly more likely to be affected by this.
Some of the main causes of autistic fatigue and burnout include:
- Masking
- Sensory overload
- Suppressing stimming behaviours
- Daily pressures
- Expectations and demands of society and those around you
- Changes to routine
- High stress events
- Prolonged interactions