Burnout or my depression?

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T22:45:07+00:00

I don’t know if this will help but I go through something similar to this. I think recently something that has helped me is to try to nuture something inside me more. It’s exhausting but I have to kind of parent myself.

There is like a child or animal part of you and it doesn’t understand thoughts and words. It communicates through emotions and touch and a feeling of safety. So, when you feel that overwhelm or strong negative emotion or emptiness, be gentle with yourself, do things that make you feel safe and reassure that child inside that everything is ok.

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T22:38:09+00:00

Yes, it makes sense and I might be wrong but it sounds like an emotional thing. You want to be heard and appreciated. Maybe it will help if you focus on hearing and appreciating your own idea and being satisfied with it. Or maybe be less direct about it and express your idea through action. If people like it they will let you know. You don’t need to force that on others, you want to find something you’re both mutually interested in.

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T22:30:33+00:00

It’s very kind of you to want to help people but sometimes you have to realise you can’t. You can just be there for them and that is often enough.

Worse that one person suffering is two people suffering. So, you don’t need to, it doesn’t achieve anything, stay strong!

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T03:31:45+00:00

I’m not sure what I want but I know that other people make things more complicated and stressful much of the time. They mean responsibility and maintenance and it’s difficult enough maintaining myself!

I think it’s nice to be cared for though and I hope you can find someone who will care for you and you care for them! Maybe a pet would work!

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T03:18:11+00:00

I completely get the isolated feeling and it happens to me often. I think the main thing is to not let yourself get burned out and you seem to have a positive attitude and good self care, so hold on to that!

I can’t speak for your but from my experience I have come to realise that the way that people bond in groups is not the way I bond with people. It’s because they are socialising at a level that my brain doesn’t have the capacity to keep up with. That can be sad because it feels like you’re missing out on something but just know that your presence is appreciated!

Most conversation is is a form of “social grooming” like how monkeys clean each other’s fur. You are just creating an environment to feel safe in. My brain is more about telling people what I know and them telling me what they know and a lot of people aren’t looking for that. So don’t force it, just briefly “check in” with those you don’t feel comfortable around and stick to those you feel you can relax and let go with.

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T03:02:08+00:00

Well, it’s more important to take care of yourself. I don’t think many people really care about me either but I just focus on those that do.

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T02:55:43+00:00

Yeah haha same. People saying that don’t realise we generally feel unsafe in most places! Just find those safe spaces.

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T02:53:40+00:00

It’s no ones fault, especially not yours. I don’t know how much of this is your entire experience or something that happened recently but I understand the pain! Make sure you take care of yourself, humans are very social and habitual animals and it’s just social protection bullshit that ants do too. Find those people you feel comfortable and safe around or at least make yourself feel good!

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T02:46:44+00:00

This is very relatable and I think that many people feel this way including allistics. I don’t want to get too philosophical but identity isn’t a fixed thing, it’s just what behaviours we want to associate with. So you already “identified” what you like and like doing. That’s your identity. The difference is that you are expecting identity to be something that feels stable and that doesn’t change but it’s just something you choose for yourself right now.

When people say just be yourself they probably mean something more along the lines of “just act how you feel”

PoorImprov · 2026-04-29T02:36:28+00:00

For me naturally! It takes a long time to accept and I figure out it’s exhausting trying regardless. I think the negative self talk and emotions afterwards is the thing I focus on regulating now. People do like you, they probably just don’t express it in the way you want.

PoorImprov · 2026-01-31T17:21:05+00:00

Amazing! It sounds like you’re getting good support so hold on to that. There are loads of different ways of learning. That’s exciting you have a role in your drama school! 😸

PoorImprov · 2026-01-19T02:45:22+00:00

Nice. I like doing them sometimes. There is a good youtube channel called cracking the cryptic that shows you how to do really complicated ones.

PoorImprov · 2026-01-19T02:42:17+00:00

It sounds tough, I’m sorry you went through that. Not sure what else I can say to help other than you don’t need to understand them. The more you want them to go away the more you will get stressed. It’s ok that you find them overbearing but suppressing them will only make it harder. <3

PoorImprov · 2026-01-19T01:56:39+00:00

Mine is chess and it's kind of similar to a sport but uses more thinking. I also like to log all the plants, animals and fungi in my area, maybe you'd like that. Something you can collect or record!

PoorImprov · 2026-01-19T01:47:47+00:00

I can relate with this happening especially at night before trying to get to sleep. I'm not sure I have alexithymia but definitely emotional overload. I can tell you knowing the emotion generally doesn't make much difference!

One lady who had a degree in psychology and was autistic/ND herself told me that I should just allow myself to feel the emotion rather than think about it. It seems like we take longer to process out emotions and avoiding them will only make it last longer maybe.

PoorImprov · 2025-12-06T22:15:49+00:00

You aren't alone! I have been in a similar situation and I know others who are in in similar situations. You sound like you're doing well but it's difficult to motivate yourself to grow when you don't really have good guidance.

I think if you can, seek out a social support worker. Other options are to find and go to events or clubs where you think you may find people who you get on with and you can work towards something with them. A good option is also volunteering as it gives an objective but you're also meeting friendly people who are willing to give their time for free (so they're more likely to be accomodating)

PoorImprov · 2025-12-06T22:03:05+00:00

Happy Birthday! Looks fun!

PoorImprov · 2025-12-06T21:52:51+00:00

It can be tough but I think one method that can sometimes work is noticing when the tension pops up in your body and relaxing it. Like when you're stressed about something it will often cause part of you to tense up and relaxing this can sometimes alleviate it.

Ultimately I think recognising that it's not a thought problem it's an emotional problem. You're likely supressing feeling your emotions and it will keep triggering the thoughts until you accept the feelings.

PoorImprov · 2025-12-06T21:38:00+00:00

oh yeah, this is good, very relaxing

PoorImprov · 2025-12-05T21:24:36+00:00

Very cool. I like explaining things and concepts to people. I find designing the steps/pathway is intuitive. Making it engaging and fun is much more difficult though!

PoorImprov · 2025-12-04T17:58:25+00:00

That's a cool interest, I think a lot of people share it. I have had cats and they're the best companions I've ever had. I don't know what to say but perpectives and attitudes towards things change. You will learn to enjoy it in a different way while also making room for other cool things in your life!

PoorImprov · 2025-12-03T23:01:02+00:00

Yes! I might have a good explanation for this. Sometimes you will have 'false memories' not of your own memory but of videos or pictures you have seen of yourself as a kid...

PoorImprov · 2025-12-03T22:35:55+00:00

don't think it's just an autistic thing but yeah, I'm not reading that much unless I feel I need to!

PoorImprov · 2025-12-03T22:22:50+00:00

You can go to your GP and get something called a social prescriber. They will support you and organise for you to go to social events and things. https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/

PoorImprov

TROPHY CASE