What Is Autistic Burnout? A Thematic Analysis of Posts on Two Online Platforms

Abstract

Background: Compared with adults in the general population, autistic adults are more likely to experience poor mental health, which can contribute to increased suicidality. While the autistic community has long identified autistic burnout as a significant mental health risk, to date, only one study has been published. Early research has highlighted the harmful impact of autistic burnout among autistic adults and the urgent need to better understand this phenomenon. Methods: To understand the lived experiences of autistic adults, we used data scraping to extract public posts about autistic burnout from 2 online platforms shared between 2005 and 2019, which yielded 1127 posts. Using reflexive thematic analysis and an inductive ''bottom-up'' approach, we sought to understand the etiology, symptoms, and impact of autistic burnout, as well as prevention and recovery strategies. Two autistic researchers with self-reported experience of autistic burnout reviewed the themes and provided insight and feedback. Results: We identified eight primary themes and three subthemes across the data. (1) Systemic, pervasive lack of autism awareness. (1.1) Discrimination and stigma. (2) A chronic or recurrent condition. (3) Direct impact on health and well-being. (4) A life unlived. (5) A blessing in disguise? (6) Self-awareness and personal control influence risk. (6.1) ''You need enough balloons to manage the weight of the rocks.'' (7) Masking: Damned if you do, damned if you don't. (8) Ask the experts. (8.1) Stronger together. The overarching theme was that a pervasive lack of awareness and stigma about autism underlie autistic burnout. Conclusions: We identified a set of distinct yet interrelated factors that characterize autistic burnout as a recurring condition that can, directly and indirectly, impact autistic people's functioning, mental health, quality of life, and well-being. The findings suggest that increased awareness and acceptance of autism could be key to burnout prevention and recovery.

“I felt like I deserved it because I was Autistic”: Understanding the Impact of Interpersonal Victimisation in the Lives of Autistic People

“…Participants highlighted a complex relationship between trauma, masking and burnout whereby trauma led to masking, masking led to burnout, and burnout led to being unable to mask further. Our findings support previous research into autistic burnout that has highlighted the role masking might play in burnout occurring (Raymaker et al 2020;Mantzalas et al 2021). They also suggest that burnout can result from the interaction between different aspects of an increased stress burden associated with stigma (e.g.…”

A conceptual model of risk and protective factors for autistic burnout

“…Autistic communities (e.g., autistic parents, autistic people of color, gender‐diverse autistic individuals) are a valuable source of acceptance and pride for autistic people who often face discrimination and stigma elsewhere (Bagatell, 2010). Members of autistic communities offer and receive autism‐related information and advice, understanding and validation about shared lived experiences (Mantzalas et al, 2021; Raymaker et al, 2020). Positive interactions with autistic peers and role models may lessen internalized oppression associated with psycho‐emotional disablism (Reeve, 2014).…”

“…Extant research suggests that self‐awareness can improve after autistic burnout (compared to individuals' pre‐burnout levels) as people learn to recognize triggers, develop and implement protective coping strategies, including self‐care, planning, energy management, and boundary setting to prevent recurrence (Higgins et al, 2021; Mantzalas et al, 2021; Raymaker et al, 2020).…”

“…Research among autistic adults shows that social support and connectedness, social inclusion and community positively influence SWL (Casagrande et al, 2020), whereas victimization, negative life events and unemployment have a negative impact (Griffiths et al, 2019). SWL may also offset mental strain and buffer against autistic burnout, particularly for individuals who make positive life changes after experiencing burnout (e.g., career change, setting boundaries; Higgins et al, 2021; Mantzalas et al, 2021).…”

“…Sensory overload is a prime risk factor for autistic burnout, with reduced tolerance to sensory stimuli commonly reported during burnout episodes. Conversely, sensory withdrawal and avoidance can be beneficial for prevention and recovery (Higgins et al, 2021; Mantzalas et al, 2021; Raymaker et al, 2020).…”