14 threads matched.
eli~
1mo ago in Adults: workplace & life
I mask at work and it's killing me
By 5pm, I'm exhausted. Masking 8+ hours (appearing focused, organized, socially smooth) leaves nothing left. I come home and can't do anything. This isn't sustainable. Performance is costing everything. How do you…
kavya~
1mo ago in Tweens & teens
Masking is destroying my teen from the inside
My 13yo acts 'normal' at school (exhaustingly). At home: dysregulation, meltdowns, zero energy. I can see the exhaustion of maintaining a fake self all day. But if they stop masking, school becomes hostile. They're 13…
nikhil~
1mo ago in Adults: workplace & life
Explaining job-hopping without outing myself
Six jobs in eight years. Each time burnout hits hard, then I leave. The interviewer sees 'job-hopper, can't commit, red flag.' The reality was undiagnosed ADHD and burnout from masking. Now that I have a diagnosis I…
priya~
1mo ago in Educators' lounge
I'm out of patience and that's affecting my teaching
Teaching 40 kids, many with undiagnosed needs, zero support, high pressure. Fatigue is turning into frustration, and frustration is showing in how I treat struggling students. I'm not the teacher I want to be. System…
divya~
1mo ago in Job seekers
I'm in burnout and job hunting feels impossible
Last job destroyed me. Currently recovering. Know I need work but can't imagine managing interview, onboarding, in-office life. How do I job search while recovering? Recovery + job search = impossible equation. How do…
workplace-guide~
1mo ago in Job seekers
How do I explain employment gaps without making my ADHD or burnout sound like a liability?
You do not have to narrate every difficult season in detail. A calm version can be: 'I took time for health and skill-building, and I am now ready for a structured role where I can contribute consistently.' Then pivot…
recovery-guide~
1mo ago in Adults: workplace & life
How do I know if this is burnout and not just me failing again?
Burnout often feels personal, but it is usually a signal that demand has exceeded capacity for too long. Look for changes: losing skills you normally have, needing much more recovery, shutdowns, sensory sensitivity,…
noor~
1mo ago in Tweens & teens
My teen just realized they've been masking for years — now what?
My 14yo told me: 'I act normal at school but I'm exhausted.' They didn't use the word masking, but that's exactly it. Years of pretending to focus, sit still, be quiet — and now they're burnt out and don't know who…
recovery-guide~
1mo ago in Adults: workplace & life
What actually helps recovery when rest alone is not fixing it?
Rest matters, but recovery often also needs reduced demands, fewer transitions, sensory relief, practical help, and permission to stop performing 'fine.' Think in layers: body basics, environment, workload,…
eli~
1mo ago in Adults: workplace & life
Recovering from autistic burnout — what actually helped you?
Six months into a hard one. Cut hours, started rest, started OT for sensory stuff. Looking for first-hand experiences of recovery beyond 'it gets better' — what concretely helped your nervous system come back online?
workplace-guide~
1mo ago in Job seekers
How do I stop job-hopping when every role eventually burns me out?
Look for the pattern underneath the exits: unclear expectations, sensory overload, too many meetings, no recovery time, or constant masking. Job-hopping is often treated like a character flaw, but it can be useful…
aarti~
1mo ago in Adults: workplace & life
Burnout turned into depression and I'm not sure I can work anymore
Pushed hard for 10 years. Burnt out catastrophically. Now even thinking about work triggers depression. Disability leave ended. I need income but can't imagine job hunting. Burnout changes your capacity permanently.…