Burned By Burn-Out

Everyone has overexerted themselves at one point or another. Burnt the candle at both ends.

Moreover, I know I’m guilty of doing it an unhealthy amount. It’s like I go through these cycles where I’m the Energizer Bunny.

And I’m go, go, go. Piling more and more things on my plate until my battery runs out.

Unfortunately for me, it often dies when my plate is miles high.

According to The New York Times, the term burn-out is a newly discovered phenomenon, where periods of intense prolonged stress cause physical, cognitive, and emotional depletion.

Secondly, neurodivergent adults experience burn-out on an entirely different plane.

Because of a lack of societal accommodations, autistic symptoms can cause burn-out. In turn, burn-out can worsen autistic symptoms.

For example, it may be more difficult for the ASD adult to:

· Communicate verbally,

· Perform executive function tasks i.e., cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing

· And maintain their short-term memory

Many factors can lead to burn-out among autistic adults, including being forced to hide autistic traits, otherwise known as masking.

And living in a neurotypical world as an atypical person.

As someone with ADHD, I sometimes feel like an overly optimistic toddler. Which basically means I can take over the world in a day and still make it home for dinner.

And I think that’s true for a lot of people with ADHD.

Let’s call it Optimistic Energizer Bunny Toddler Syndrome.

It’s a bit of a mouth-full, but so is Attention deficit hyperactive disorder. And who doesn’t love a syndrome with bunnies in it?

According to VeryWellMind.com, 18 percent of the general population is clinically fatigued. For those of us with ADHD, that increases over 50 percent.

Unfortunately, people with ADHD will often experience periods of depression, guilt and shame during their burn-out.

Which I can you tell from experience doesn’t help the situation.

Third, the ADHD’s brain’s ability to regulate attention and motivation is disrupted on its

neuropathway.

Meaning the ADHD adult has to perform a number of tasks all at once:

1. Actively ignore distractions

2. Keep focused

3. Resist impulsive urges

4. Control restlessness

All while trying to complete their core task.

Given the information from above, its almost obvious why neurodivergent college students struggle with burn out.

But how do you combat the burn?

I won’t suggest aloe vera.

Furthermore, burn-out is a new phenomenon, so there’s scientifically proven method to combat it.

However, these suggestions might help:

· Rest! Burn-out is your body’s way of saying it’s tired. Listen to it and rest!

· Prioritize yourself. It’s okay to say no to that extra shift at work.

· Schedule time to do nothing. Your brain and body need time to recharge.

· Let go of perfect. It can make a burn-out worse or drive you to burn-out faster.

· Ask for workplace or school accommodations. There’s no shame in it and it often relieves a lot of stress.

· Adjust your routine at home to include self care activities or hobbies. Anything that brings you joy.

Finally, its important to be patient and kind with our selves as neurodivergent students.

College and university are incredibly difficult even if you don’t have Optimistic Energizer Bunny Toddler Syndrome.

Add that on top of things and we’re always running late for a very important date.