Regression, Burnout and Special Interests
I believe I have been in a constant state of burnout these past few years and suffering from Autistic Regression. Basically I have been masking my whole life and trying to meet the needs of society and what is expected all while battling an assortment of disabilities I never knew I had, from Alexithymia to sensory issues, processing and learning disorders, meltdowns, shutdows, executive dysfunction and so much more (including CPTSD).
All until a point where my mind and body came to a crashing halt. I basically lost my ability to do everything I used to do, the way I used to do it.
I have been gradually reteaching myself my own skills, mostly involved around special interests (creative work) but also general life skills and daily self care. It is a slow process and I have some horrible rotten days where my brain just doesn't work at all. But then the next day is often better.
However I find that as soon as I stop engaging in special interests, stop one to work on another or get sidetracked, I seem to quickly regress. Then it can take ages to reconnect with that interest or skill again, like it all has been forgotten.
Being consistent seems to be the key here, a little everyday so to speak.
Has anyone else suffered from long term burnout or regression involving loss of skills, memory etc.?
_________________
Aspie Quiz: 177 of 200
100% probability of being atypical (autistic/neurodiverse)
I don't have Autism, I was born this way. I'm simply called an Autistic.
ASPartOfMe
Veteran
![User avatar](./download/file.php?avatar=90110_1451070500.jpg)
Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Age: 66
Gender: Male
Posts: 35,100
Location: Long Island, New York
All until a point where my mind and body came to a crashing halt. I basically lost my ability to do everything I used to do, the way I used to do it.
I have been gradually reteaching myself my own skills, mostly involved around special interests (creative work) but also general life skills and daily self care. It is a slow process and I have some horrible rotten days where my brain just doesn't work at all. But then the next day is often better.
However I find that as soon as I stop engaging in special interests, stop one to work on another or get sidetracked, I seem to quickly regress. Then it can take ages to reconnect with that interest or skill again, like it all has been forgotten.
Being consistent seems to be the key here, a little everyday so to speak.
Has anyone else suffered from long term burnout or regression involving loss of skills, memory etc.?
It is not going to be easy going forward, but you have taken an important step in recognizing the problem.
_________________
Professionally Identified and joined WP August 26, 2013
DSM 5: Autism Spectrum Disorder, DSM IV: Aspergers Moderate Severity
“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
Similar Topics | |
---|---|
My favorite special interests |
30 Jun 2024, 6:44 pm |
Loss of skills due to burnout |
12 Jun 2024, 12:03 pm |
Partner has cancer and struggling with severe burnout |
25 Jul 2024, 12:08 am |
Looking for stories of overachievement then "social burnout" |
15 Jul 2024, 6:10 am |