Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion (that does not improve with rest), often caused by chronic stress, excessive workload (and yes—this should absolutely include domestic labour and the mental load that many of us, particularly mothers, carry due to endless to-do lists), and a lack of balance between personal and professional life. By “personal life”, I mean time for rest, enjoyment, and ourselves—not additional obligations that may increase stress or mental load.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon (which raises the question: does burnout resulting from excessive caregiving and domestic responsibilities combined with maintaining a profession not count?). Since 2019, it has been included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11).

Of the 250 wonderful people who responded to my Instagram poll (very empirical, not at all scientific, but still helpful), an impressive 62% reported having experienced burnout, and 21% (myself included—although I did not respond for obvious reasons) reported experiencing it more than once.

Burnout can present somewhat differently in autism compared to ADHD, as it may arise from different underlying mechanisms related to each condition. However, it is important to remember that these conditions frequently co-occur, and autistic individuals may have ADHD traits and vice versa—so burnout can often present as a combination of both.

How might burnout present in ADHD?

  • Irritability and frustration
  • Reduced motivation to carry out responsibilities or hobbies
  • Increased difficulty concentrating
  • Cognitive, emotional, or mental overwhelm
  • Worsening procrastination; greater difficulty initiating or completing tasks

How might burnout present in autism?

  • Increased difficulty managing everyday tasks (work, self-care, social functioning)
  • Heightened sensory sensitivity, making certain environments intolerable
  • Social withdrawal

The causes or triggers of burnout may differ depending on the condition, but—as mentioned—they can also overlap.

In ADHD:

  • Hyperfocus: intense focus on tasks for prolonged periods, or exhaustion from trying to sustain attention
  • Executive function difficulties: challenges with time management and meeting goals, leading to stress; difficulty estimating how long tasks will take, often overcommitting beyond available time and energy
  • Perfectionism: high internal expectations and self-imposed pressure
  • Work and social demands

In autism:

  • Chronic masking: sustained effort to hide autistic traits
  • Sensory fatigue: environments with excessive noise, lighting, smells, or social interaction
  • Social demands: high expectations, limited support, and communication challenges
  • Transitions or life changes (moving house, starting a new job, having children)

I hope this information helps you better understand burnout, its causes, and how to recognise it—whether you are approaching it or already experiencing it (which is far from pleasant).

Please contact your mental health professional or reach out for professional help if needed!

Thank you for reading. We welcome any comments or questions.


References:

  • Nall, R. (2022). What is ADHD burnout? Verywell Mind.
  • Mayo Clinic Staff (2021). Job burnout: how to spot it and take action. Mayo Clinic.
  • Raymaker, D.M., et al. (2020). Autistic burnout: An underexplored area for research, practice and policy. Autism in Adulthood, 2(2), 132–143.
  • Higgins, J.M., et al. (2021). The lived experience of autistic burnout. Autism, 25(6), 1724–1732.
  • Mantzalas, J., et al. (2022). Autistic burnout: risk factors, signs and prevention. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 828788.