Recognising ADHD Burnout vs. Autistic Burnout

While every individual is different, it’s helpful to understand how burnout might manifest in adults with ADHD versus those with autism. There’s considerable overlap between ADHD burnout and autistic burnout – both often involve pervasive, long-term exhaustion and reduced ability to function[11]. However, there are some nuanced differences:

• ADHD Burnout: Adults with ADHD might experience burnout as extreme mental fatigue and overwhelm after long periods of trying to meet neurotypical expectations. They may have crashing energy levels, inability to focus (even more than usual), and a sense of mental fog. Often, an ADHDer in burnout feels “blank” or unmotivated even about things they normally enjoy – a stark contrast to their usual interest-based energy. Hyperfocus can contribute too: an ADHD professional might hyperfocus on a project for weeks, then suddenly collapse into burnout from neglected rest. Emotional dysregulation (irritability, mood swings) might spike due to depleted coping reserves.

• Autistic Burnout: Autistic adults often describe burnout as a regression or loss of skills. They may find that tasks they used to handle (socialising, self-care, communicating) become unmanageable during burnout. Autistic burnout can involve withdrawing from social interaction, increased sensory sensitivities, and needing to “shutdown” or spend extended time in recovery mode. It’s often precipitated by prolonged masking or being in non-accommodating environments. As one study notes, autistic burnout is a distinct phenomenon involving “exhaustion, loss of function, and heightened autistic traits” after life stressors[11]. During autistic burnout, a person might speak less, avoid interactions, or have more meltdowns/shutdowns than usual – it’s their brain’s way of forcing a break.

• Shared Signs: Both ADHD and autistic burnout can look like clinical depression in some ways (low mood, low motivation, withdrawal). However, burnout is typically a temporary state that improves with sufficient rest and changes in demands (whereas depression can be more persistent and not always tied to circumstances). In both cases, the individual may report feeling “just done” with everything, struggling to get out of bed, and cognitively fried. Increased forgetfulness, more frequent mistakes at work, and amplified anxiety are common. Physical symptoms like chronic headaches, muscle pain, or frequent illness can also appear, as chronic stress wears the body down[3].

  
  

Important: Neurodivergent burnout is not officially a medical diagnosis, so it can be missed. GPs and mental health professionals in Australia, including myself, are actively researching tools to better identify burnout – for instance, new checklists and studies are being developed to help diagnose burnout in clinical settings[12]. I have adapted a trusted burnout quiz to help you immediately, from the comfort of your home, with no waiting list and at a fraction of the cost. If you’re a healthcare provider, be aware that a patient with ADHD or autism might be experiencing burnout even if they don’t use that term. In fact, GPs in Australia are increasingly looking for trusted resources to help patients with burnout[13]. Recognising the signs in neurodivergent clients or employees can lead to faster support – whether it’s suggesting a break, adjusting workload, or referring them to appropriate services.