Joined: 25 Jan 2023 Age: 23 Gender: Male Posts: 1,590
16 Aug 2023, 8:18 pm
I was wondering if anyone has experienced increased mutism and a reduction in verbal ability while suffering from autistic burnout?
I've been increasingly burnt out for months, and I have found that for the past few weeks that I am rendered mute a lot. I can't get over the anxiety to speak to most people, and can't force myself to speak. When I do speak I can't really formulate my thoughts well, and I noticed my intonation and inflection + other aspects of my speech are much more odd than usual. I feel like I talk very "stereotypically" now, which makes me self conscious and makes me find it even harder to talk. People are starting to not understand the way I word things and how I speak, and it's frustrating me.
You might try something like Toastmasters, a social group that works to improve their public speaking skills.
Since it would be initially a group of strangers you might not have the anxiety you would have with people you know. At least they would be sympathetic to someone with difficulty in speaking.
Joined: 7 Jul 2014 Age: 124 Gender: Non-binary Posts: 34,219 Location: Out of my mind
17 Aug 2023, 2:25 pm
The OP perfectly describes what I experience. I go mute or produce unitelligible word salad and my voice gets more 'flat effect'. People at work seem to find my increased flat effect amusing, WTF is up with that?
Joined: 25 Aug 2013 Age: 66 Gender: Male Posts: 34,419 Location: Long Island, New York
18 Aug 2023, 1:57 am
Similar to the OP when I am overwhelmed.
_________________ Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013 DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
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“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman