Autistic

Fatigue, burnout, inertia, meltdown, shutdown

Autistic fatigue or burnout is a prolonged state of mental and physical exhaustion. It is described as distinct from but similar to occupational burnout and is often linked to the pressure to hide autistic traits in social interactions. The term "autistic burnout" was first used in 2008, with research into the phenomenon undertaken in the 2020s. Several researchers have proposed characterizations of autistic burnout, but no consensus definition exists. Depression can be misattributed to autistic burnout, as they have several overlapping criteria. Reported coping strategies include reduced masking, increased stimming, engaging in special interests and familiar activities, and seeking stress relief. Some affected people temporarily withdraw from social contact as a recovery strategy; while providing relief, interpersonal withdrawal can also result in loneliness and worsening mental health. There is limited data on professional interventions.