I've been dealing with autistic burnout for YEARS and realized this now???

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The fact that I severely mask in social situations EVERY TIME I LEAVE MY HOME is terrible enough as it is. But depending on the severity of the social situation I went to, I deal with autistic burnout and/or meltdowns. This forces me to suffer in silence and not want to do ANYTHING. I forget myself and how to be myself. To remove the mask is impossible especially if I have zero way on how.

I’ve been doing this and going through this for so long and I am still undiagnosed with adhd/autism.

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Thoughts and feelings?

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Update:

There is no way I CANNOT have PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder). I most definitely believe I do in fact have it while taking hormonal birth control. PCOS still plays a crucial factor too, but PMDD is something I am noticing way more.

I am not diagnosed with these things, but even with a diagnosis, I know something is wrong and I can not explain it as best as a professional. Never mind the sole fact that the professional is too damn stupid to not grasp what is going on with me.

PMDD and autistic burnout is a HORRIBLE combination!

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There may be difficulty getting diagnosed, anyway.

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No kidding.
I don’t understand how I can cope any longer since my life is nothing but me wearing a mask.

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What do your doctors say when you tell them you think you have these conditions? Do they order tests for them?

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I couldn’t tell them anything, because I never knew what it was, just a feeling that I couldn’t explain.

I WAS MASKING IN FRONT OF THEM!!!

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Bump.

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Anyone else?

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Unfortunately, that means starting the next round of demands for what they test on you, and more waiting. I wish it was easier.

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As I’ve gotten older ice gotten to where I wear a mask in public. Even around my best friend who is autistic like me. She’s more energetic and I’m a lil more subdued. Hell I don’t fully drop the mask at home with my folks

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Does that mean I am just doomed to struggle? Sounds horrible and sad.

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That’s very exhausting!

Does that hit from the burnout drains you immensely afterwards?

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No, that struggle is for an end result, but it is a ridiculously long “let’s start over” every time you think you’ve got a handle on what’s going on and need doctors to catch up.

So it definitely feels like it’s never-ending.

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Yeah, the constant struggle is defeating as hell!

I get it, it is just really annoying. I wish I could tear the mask off and go around being my totally weird self.

I don’t know how though.

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Well, a practical standpoint would be self-soothing or stimming. If you can find something you’re willing to do in public, run with it. It could be as simple as running a finger in a circle over the back of your hand (or you may find that thing horribly irritating). For ADHD it’s a figit. Same concept, different purpose, looks the same on the outside. Cheap toys are becoming common for that.

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Thank you for this.

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I hope you find a few things that work, for that.

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No… Honestly I’m surprised I haven’t had burnout from this yet. I’ve been doing it since my early 20s, so for a few years now. I know I do sometimes burn out from stress and go into an absolute panic attack.

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Wow…that’s interesting.

What causes you not to get super stressed afterwards? What do you do differently?

Just curious.

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Honestly… I don’t ha e a way to not get stressed. At 31 and I can’t handle the stress. I get panicky too easily, and just can’t calm down… I’m currently getting evaluated to see where on the spectrum Im on. Plus the doc is going to see if I’ve developed anxiety. I’m hoping with a therapist I can learn to better cope with stress

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