Neurodivergent vs. Neurotypical Burnout

Last week we took a look at burnout and 10 Signs You Might be in Burnout. As promised in that article, we're going to keep exploring burnout and this week we're taking a a deeper look at neurodivergent burnout versus neurotypical burnout. 

Both burnouts have commonalities and overlap, but their origins tend to vary and the ways they are experienced can look different, too. 

Let's compare:

At the Root of it neurodivergents (autistics, ADHDers, dyslexics, etc.) tend to experience burnout due to factors such as forced masking, overstimulation, difficulties with executive functioning, lack of needed support and accomodations, and adapting to environments that aren't open to their full authentic selves. 

Neurotypicals are just as able to suffer from burnout, but the root of their burnout might have more to do with external pressures than disabilities or internal struggles. Neurotypicals may experience burnout due to competing priorities, unrealistic deadlines, excessive responsibilities, and a work-life imbalance. All of which of course could be experienced by a neurodivergent as well, which is why the overlap is important to note. 

A Deeper Dive

Sensory sensitivities  are important to discuss as they relate to burnout. In neurodivergence, a person may become overstimulated by bright or flourescent lights, loud or competing sounds, fabrics or textures that feel uncomfortable, smells or tastes that are off-putting, and more. These sensitivities can contribute to burnout, can exaccerbate burnout, and can even put a neurodivergent who is in burnout into a meltdown or shutdown state that resembles a panic attack. 

Generally neurotypicals are not going to be impacted in these ways by sensory sensitivities. 

Social Exhaustion is a well-known trait of neurodivergent burnout. While neurotypicals tend to feel chronic exhaustion all around, neurodivergents tend to socially withdraw specifically due to the amount energy it takes for them to socialize, be around people or groups, and talk and engage with others. Neurotypicals can feel drained after a these interaction because of the demand of it in general, but it is tiresome for neurodivergents in a different way. 

Emotion Regulation issues tend to be more intense in neurodivergent burnout as neurodivergents tend to experience their emotions more deeply,  and some (such as ADHDers) have difficulties managing impulses as well. These issues will be exaccerbated in burnout. For a neurotypical in burnout, they may find themselves to be more irritable than they normally are, or more fatigued after an emotionally charged event, however their emotions are generally more easily controlled than their neurodivergent counterparts because of the difference in intensity and impulsivity struggles. 

Executive Functioning shows up differently for neurotypicals in burnout than it does for neurodivergents. Neurotypicals will often become fatigued and lack concentration, become easily distracted and lose focus on tasks. They may become forgetful and make silly mistakes in their day to day life. However, these issues are ones that the neurotypical can generally bounce back from and redirect when they notice their errors, or after some rest. For a neurodivergent, these issues are already embedded into their day to day life, therefore they become exaccerbated in burnout and the neurodivergent may often go into shutdown mode, feeling a pervasive hopelessness and inability to overcome these hurdles. 

Recovery from burnout often takes longer and more support for the neurodivergent than the neurotypical. Part of the reason for this is because for many in neurodivergent burnout, this burnout stems from not knowing they were neurodivergent to begin with and therefore spending a lifetime of not receiving the proper supports, accomodations, and forms of rest. Important parts of healing from neurodivergent burnout include improving awareness around triggers and causes for your burnout, increasing supports and accomodations, developing healthy and effective self-care routines, and building a life with appropriate work-life balance. 

Neurotypicals tend to feel restored from burnout after plenty of rest, engagement in fulfilling activities, and perhaps setting some boundaries around their time and availability.

In summary both neurodivergent and neurotypical burnout can result in negative impacts on a person's day to day life, and feelings of hopelessness and exhaustion. Both types of burnout can stem from feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and improperly rested. Neurodivergents tend to experience an exaccerbation of symptoms they struggle with regularly, resulting in new, intense symptoms like meltdowns or shutdowns. Neurotypicals may experience symptoms they've never experienced before like distractability or worsened performance, which can lead to feelings of panic or worthlessness. Both forms of burnout need rest, fulfillment, and balance. Neurodivergent burnout really requires improved self-awareness and self-advocacy.