Q&A: Autistic Burnout and Energy Debt


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Dec 09 2024 25 mins   5

Are you or someone you care for always in fight-or-flight mode? In today’s episode, I’m sharing how a foot injury forced me to stop, rest, and confront the fears I’d been avoiding for years – stillness, emptiness, and a relentless desperation to distract myself. I also answer a listener question about viewing autistic burnout through the lens of energy debt. We’ll explore why this parallel makes so much sense, unpacking some of the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face in eating disorder recovery.


Episode Highlights:



  • How a foot injury became a wake-up call to confront stillness and burnout

  • The connection between autistic burnout, energy debt, and eating disorders

  • How distraction serves as a coping mechanism for emptiness – and why it’s counterproductive

  • Insights into energy deficit, energy debt, and their parallels with masking, sensory overwhelm, and societal pressures

  • How crises can be turning points for growth and recovery


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