Navigating Burnout: A Neurodivergent Perspective

Burnout can indeed be a tangled, draining experience, one that creeps up on you when you least expect it. Recently, I found myself grappling with burnout through the lens of neurodiversity. It wasn’t about age catching up with me, but rather the relentless stress and environment I was immersed in. As a neurodivergent individual, certain triggers can set off a cascade of internal pain, akin to sharp knives tearing through my insides, making concentration a Herculean task. My coping mechanism, stimming, offers some relief by regulating my nervous system, but it’s not always sufficient against the intensity of these triggers.

Picture by Tara Winstead on Pixel

Stimming, or self-stimulated behavior, takes various forms — from squeezing a squishy toy to tapping fingers or counting them. It’s essential for any neurodivergent person in the workplace, whether in an office, a helping profession, or a field job, to have a safe space. For me, that sanctuary is at home, where I can tackle paperwork and writing tasks.

What led to my burnout was the lack of respite between triggering sounds that exacerbated the pain in my body. These noises, part of the daily routine, varied in intensity and timing, adding an unpredictable element that wore me down. Consistency is key on the road to avoiding burnout. The screams and cries reverberated through me, causing me to crumble under the…