Burnout isn't just stress. Burnout is what happens when your mind and body have been stretched too far for too long. It develops from prolonged exposure to mental, emotional, and/or physical stress without enough time or space to recoup, and can be particularly troublesome for neurodivergent people. Symptoms can be:

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• Feeling foggy

• Being emotionally drained or numb

• Being unable to focus or follow through - perhaps even on simple tasks

• Feeling detached from self/ work/ others

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Burnout is often associated with decreased executive function and tends to be more prevalent in neurodivergent people. Executive function is the ability to make plans, have good judgment and insight for decision-making, regulate emotions, learn and recall information, concentrate or focus. For those who are juggling caregiving, professional, and household responsibilities without adequate rest or support, burnout is a serious concern. 

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Generally, people experiencing burnout also experience shame, guilt, or embarrassment at no longer being able to "push through" or not being able to pinpoint why everything feels heavier than it used to. It's so important to do the emotional work to process burnout as non-defining of who you are; it isn't a failure, but it IS a sign your system has carried too much for too long and needs a reset.

 

[Read more on burnout prevention & recovery here.]

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All therapists at Kayda Health help with this area; click here to meet our team and book a free consult with one of our Registered Clinical Counsellors.