Do I have Depression or Autistic Burnout?

Living with autism comes with its unique set of challenges, and one aspect that often gets overlooked is the phenomenon of autistic burnout. But what happens when the symptoms of autistic burnout seem to overlap with those of depression? In this blog post, we'll explore the distinctions between depression and autistic burnout and offer insights into how individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as their support networks, can navigate these complexities.

Understanding depression and autistic burnout

Depression is a pervasive mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and a decline in functioning. It can significantly impact an individual's daily life, affecting their ability to engage in work, relationships, and personal pursuits.

Autistic burnout, on the other hand, is a state of extreme exhaustion resulting from the chronic effort required to manage autistic traits and adapt to a neurotypical world. It can manifest with emotional, intellectual, and physical fatigue, leading to social withdrawal, reduced self-care, and heightened sensory sensitivities. Autistic burnout is a common experience that many high-functioning adults with autism experience when they go to extensive lengths to mask their autistic traits and fit into the neurotypical world around them.

What is the difference between autistic burnout and depression?

While both depression and autistic burnout share common symptoms, there are subtle distinctions that can aid in differentiation. Depression tends to be more persistent and pervasive, affecting various aspects of an individual's life. Autistic burnout, on the other hand, is often triggered by specific events or stressors and may fluctuate in intensity. During a depressive episode, a person may feel stuck in their sadness or feel numb and lose interest in their hobbies. When a person is experiencing autistic burnout, however, they may not feel sadness at all and may lose abilities that they once had.

Below is a table outlining the fundamental distinctions between depression and autistic burnout:

Note: The table provides a simplified overview and should not replace professional medical advice. Depression and autistic burnout can manifest differently in individuals, and accurate diagnosis and guidance should be sought from healthcare professionals.

What are the Signs and symptoms of Autistic Burnout?

Autistic burnout is a syndrome resulting from chronic life stress and a mismatch of expectations and abilities without adequate support. It is characterized by pervasive, long-term exhaustion, loss of function, and reduced tolerance to stimulus.

The three principal features of autistic burnout encompass:

1. Prolonged Exhaustion

2. Diminished Tolerance to Stimuli

3. Deterioration in Skills (cognitive functions, memory, planning, and execution of plans, basic self-care abilities, and engagement in daily activities)

Beyond the profound emotional, physical, and mental weariness, autistic burnout can lead to challenges in emotional management, making individuals more susceptible to outbursts or heightened anxiety. It may also amplify autistic traits like repetitive behaviors (self-soothing actions, repetitive behaviors, stimming, etc.), reduced tolerance for sensory stimuli, and heightened difficulty adapting to change. Additional common indicators of autistic burnout include:

1. Sensation of being unable to cope

2. Physical Exhaustion

3. Depressive symptoms, encompassing feelings of worthlessness, sadness, loss of interest in once-enjoyed activities, or irritability

4. Struggles in emotional regulation, contributing to outbursts or meltdowns

5. Social withdrawal

6. Regression in previously acquired skills (speech, cognitive abilities, executive functioning, self-control, etc.)

Why does autistic burnout happen?

Autistic burnout happens when an autistic person is overwhelmed, overloaded, and has been generally operating beyond capacity. People who have experienced autistic burnout described a collection of life stressors including:

• Masking autistic traits, for example by suppressing autistic behaviors, pretending to be non-autistic, or working very hard to act in a non-autistic way.

• Difficult or unreachable expectations from family, school, work, or society in general.

• Stress from living in a world not set up to accommodate autistic people, for example managing the stress of having to be in noisy environments.

• Life changes and transitions that are stressful for anyone, for example transitioning from school to work, experiencing a mental health crisis, or the death of someone close.

  
  

  How to Mitigate or Prevent Autistic Burnout:

  Effectively managing and preventing autistic burnout involves tuning into your body, recognizing emotions, and embracing your authentic self, free from the constraints of neurotypical standards. It's about allowing yourself the space to simply be. To proactively ward off burnout, consider the following strategies:

  1. Acceptance and Support: Engage with individuals who accept you for who you are, creating environments where there's no need for masking or pretense. This could involve one-on-one connections with family or friends, participating in communities with accepting cultures, or connecting with fellow autistic individuals who can provide validation, information, and emotional support based on shared experiences.

  2. Embracing Autistic Identity: Attend to your autistic needs, such as engaging in stimming, immersing yourself in intense interests, and finding comfort in familiar items. Unmasking, leveraging autistic strengths, and embracing an autistic way of doing things can contribute to a sense of authenticity.

  3. Formal Supports: Seek reasonable adjustments at school or work, enlist physical support for tasks like grocery shopping, and prioritize mental health support to build a robust support network.

  4. Reduced Load: Give yourself permission to take time off, incorporate more breaks, and reduce engagement in social or other potentially stressful activities.

  5. Self-Advocacy and Health: Learn to set healthy boundaries and communicate expectations to others. Develop the skill of asking for help in a way that resonates with others. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by incorporating exercise, sufficient sleep, nutritious eating habits, and activities that bring joy – all of which can aid recovery from autistic burnout when energy levels permit.

  6. Self-Knowledge: Recognize and respond to the early signs of autistic burnout, such as canceling social plans to prioritize rest. Having an autism diagnosis and understanding personal behavior and emotional patterns can empower individuals to navigate their well-being more effectively.

  Remember, autism is a spectrum, and not all individuals will exhibit the same signs or experience burnout in the same way. A qualified professional should an evaluation for autism and diagnose autism, ensuring accurate and personalized support.

  
  

There is Hope For You

Getting an official autism diagnosis can help you make sense of your life. It can help you see your differences as just that, and not character flaws, or oddities. If you can reevaluate their life through the autism lens, you can see that many others also have your differences. 

Here at the Thriving Wellness Center, we specialize in working with people with Autism. We have locations in New York and New Jersey and perform thorough and accurate Adult Autism evaluations and therapy in-person and online. If you are newly diagnosed with Autism or interested in getting a diagnosis in New York, New Jersey, or virtually please contact us to see how we can help you improve your life.