đ Burnout doesnât always look like fire - sometimes, itâs just⊠silence.
What is Neurodivergent Burnout?
Neurodivergent burnout isnât just feeling tired. Itâs a deep, chronic depletion that builds up over time from masking, overstimulation, navigating inaccessible environments, and constantly having to “pass” in neurotypical systems.
Itâs the kind of exhaustion that sleep doesnât fix - and rest doesnât always reach.
Signs You Might Be Experiencing It
- A sense of emotional flatness or apathy toward things you normally love
- Sudden shutdowns or withdrawal from social situations
- Trouble with basic executive functioning (starting tasks, feeding yourself, etc.)
- Feeling like you’re “failing” - even when you objectively aren’t
- Heightened sensory sensitivity and irritability
And one of the hardest parts? Many neurodivergent folks donât realize theyâre burnt out until itâs severe - because weâre used to pushing through discomfort.
Why Itâs So Often Missed
Neurodivergent burnout is under-researched and frequently misdiagnosed. It’s mistaken for depression, laziness, or even character flaws. But really, itâs what happens when we survive in systems not built for our minds.
What Helps
Thereâs no universal âcure,â but here are some things that help many of us gently begin to heal:
- Permission to pause: You are allowed to rest without earning it.
- Unmasking where itâs safe: Let your real self breathe.
- Consistent sensory-friendly routines: Stability reduces the drain.
- Community: Just being seen can lift mountains.
- Lowering self-judgment: You are not broken - you are tired.
A Final Reminder
đ« Burnout is not your fault.
You didnât fail.
You adapted.
And now, itâs time to soften the edges - to take up space again in a way that doesnât hurt.
You are worthy of a life that doesnât require constant recovery.
This is part of the Neurodivergence series on NeuroLight. If this resonates with you, know you are not alone - and that rest is a radical and necessary act of love. đ