Welcome to the third part of my series on Autistic Burnout. If you’re just joining us, I highly recommend starting from the beginning to fully understand what Autistic burnout is and how to address it. For those who have been following along, thank you for continuing this journey with me. Today, we will explore the differences between Autistic burnout, depression, and occupational burnout.
Autistic burnout is a state of chronic exhaustion, loss of skills, and reduced tolerance to sensory input, often triggered by overwhelming environmental and social demands. Autistic burnout can often feel similar to depression or occupational burnout, but they are three distinct phenomena. Knowing which one you are experiencing is a key part of the healing process.
Autistic burnout, depression, and occupational burnout can feel very similar and can also occur together. So what makes each one different? How do you know which one you are experiencing?
Humor me, please, while I start with a story as this is the best way I can answer the question.
A friend of mine (really, it wasn’t me – although, if I’m honest, this is something I would do) – A friend of mine destroyed their car engine by burning out the radiator. They were driving home when their engine started to overheat. They panicked. Instead of pulling over and calling for help, they pushed their car to its limit by continuing to drive it and praying they would make it home to safety. All they could think was “get home, get home, get home,” so they kept driving.
The car was out of coolant. If they had pulled over, turned off the engine, and called AAA, the car could have been repaired. Instead, they continued to drive the car past its limit and destroyed the radiator.
When you drive the car past its limit and destroy the radiator, that is Autistic burnout.
When you drive the car on a low gas tank until it runs out of gas to power the engine, that is depression.
When you know the car doesn’t look right, it doesn’t drive right, the wheels could fall off at any moment, the upholstery is ripped, you dread every single time you have to open the car door and sit behind the wheel, and all of this makes it impossible for you to be an effective driver, that is occupational burnout.
It is possible for two or all three of these things to be happening at the same time. Your car might be overheating, it might be out of gas, and it might be an ineffective car that needs to be replaced anyway.
Is It Autistic Burnout or Depression?
Depression and Autistic burnout can look the same, but the internal experience is different in a few key ways, as explained by Dr Megan Anna Neff. Those differences involve social withdrawal, emotional experience, and eating behaviors.
Social withdrawal in depression might be due to amotivation, fatigue, or feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Social withdrawal in Autistic burnout is more likely due to being overwhelmed with sensory and social demands, avoiding people because of a reduced ability to mask, or as a coping mechanism to manage overwhelming sensory input. In Autistic burnout, social withdrawal can be an effective coping strategy, at least in the short term.
Emotions in depression are often dulled or numb. In Autistic burnout, we may not realize it due to alexithymia, but our nervous system is on overload, emotions are heightened, and we’re more likely to experience a meltdown or shutdown.
Eating behaviors may change in depression due to an increase or decrease in appetite. In Autistic burnout, our eating behaviors may change due to sensory seeking, sensory avoiding, or increased sensory sensitivity in general. Foods might be too bland, too spicy, or we can’t handle the texture. We are also more reliant on our safe foods.
Is it Autistic burnout or occupational burnout?
Occupational burnout is a severe dissatisfaction with your career and feeling ineffective as a result. Work is exhausting and no longer energizing, you’ve lost the investment you had in your work, you feel cynical and disillusioned about conditions ever improving, and you generally become ineffective at work. The feelings may spill over into your personal life, but the burnout is directly related to your occupation.
A decrease in work performance due to occupational burnout may be a result of feeling hopeless and frustrated with your work, whereas in Autistic burnout it may be due to a loss of executive functioning skills.
Getting Help
Trying to figure out if you are experiencing Autistic burnout, depression, or occupational burnout can be challenging. To complicate matters even further, the three can occur simultaneously in any combination. You might be in Autistic burnout and depressed. You might be depressed and burned out in your career. You might be experiencing all three.
Conclusion
Distinguishing between Autistic burnout, depression, and occupational burnout can be a complex task, as they often share similar symptoms and can occur concurrently. Each type of burnout has its unique characteristics and underlying causes, making it essential to understand the differences to address them effectively. By recognizing the distinct signs of each condition, you can take the necessary steps toward recovery and better manage your mental health.
Takeaways:
- Autistic Burnout: Results from pushing past sensory and social limits, leading to overwhelming exhaustion and reduced ability to function.
- Depression: Characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of motivation, often accompanied by changes in eating and sleeping patterns.
- Occupational Burnout: Stems from chronic workplace stress, leading to severe dissatisfaction, cynicism, and decreased effectiveness in professional roles.
- Overlap and Co-occurrence: These conditions can overlap, making it challenging to identify and treat them individually. It’s possible to experience two or all three simultaneously.
- Professional Assessment: Seeking professional help is crucial for accurately diagnosing and treating these conditions. Start with a trusted doctor or therapist to assess for depression, then explore potential burnout.
If you’re struggling to determine whether you’re experiencing Autistic burnout, depression, or occupational burnout, take the first step towards recovery by consulting a mental health professional. Begin by addressing any signs of depression, as it can be a significant barrier to dealing with other forms of burnout. Once depression is managed, you can better assess and address Autistic or occupational burnout.
Don’t wait—reach out for support today. Whether through a healthcare provider, therapist, or support group, seeking help is a vital step towards understanding your experiences and finding effective strategies for recovery. Remember, taking care of your mental health is a journey, and you don’t have to do it alone.
Have you ever experienced burnout? What were the signs that helped you identify it as Autistic burnout, depression, or occupational burnout? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below—your story might help someone else!
Living Fully Neurodivergent 
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