Neurodivergent Burnout: Why It Feels Different (and Why You’re Not Failing)

Burnout gets talked about a lot these days.
Too much work. Too little rest. A need for better boundaries.

But for neurodivergent people, burnout isn’t just being tired.

It’s often a full-body shutdown.
A loss of skills.
A nervous system that has quietly been holding its breath for years… and finally exhales.

And for many mums raising neurodivergent children (or discovering their own neurodivergence later in life), burnout doesn’t arrive as a whisper.

It arrives as a crash.

Let’s explore what neurodivergent burnout really is, how it differs from neurotypical burnout, and why ADHD and Autistic burnout can look similar yet feel very different inside.

Neurodivergent burnout is a state of deep physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by long-term overwhelm, sensory load, masking, and nervous system stress.

It isn’t just “too busy”.

It’s often the result of:

• constantly pushing through sensory discomfort

• managing executive function challenges

• masking traits to fit expectations

• carrying invisible emotional labour

• navigating systems not built for neurodivergent brains

Over time, the body says:
“I can’t keep doing this.”

Common signs include:

• extreme fatigue that rest doesn’t fix

• loss of motivation or skills (memory, organisation, speech, focus)

• emotional overwhelm or numbness

• increased sensory sensitivity

• shutdowns, meltdowns, or withdrawal

• feeling like you’ve “hit a wall”

Many mums describe it as:
“I used to cope… and now I just can’t.”

That’s not weakness.
That’s a nervous system in survival mode.

Burnout comes from

doing too much, for too long, with too little support

Neurotypical burnout is often linked to workload and stress.

Neurodivergent burnout is usually layered.

Think of neurotypical burnout as running a marathon without water.

Neurodivergent burnout is running that marathon:
barefoot, in loud noise, carrying extra weight, while being told to smile and keep up.

Some key differences:

Neurotypical burnout often:

• improves with time off or reduced workload

• is mainly exhaustion and stress

• doesn’t usually involve skill loss

Neurodivergent burnout often:

• lasts months or longer without proper support

• includes cognitive and emotional shutdown or changes

• causes regression in daily functioning

• is tied to sensory overload and masking or dopamine crashes

• impacts identity and self-confidence deeply

Rest helps. But nervous system safety, compassion, and environmental change are what truly heal it. We can't sleep or think or talk our way out of burnout we need practical support to reduce demands and increase support.

Motherhood already stretches the nervous system.

Add neurodivergence and you’re often juggling:

• sensory noise and chaos

• emotional regulation for everyone

• executive function load

• school systems and appointments

• guilt, pressure, and unrealistic expectations

• often without proper support

And many mums have spent their lives being the “strong one”. Holding it together for everyone else.

Burnout isn’t failure.

It’s the body finally asking for gentler ways of living.

Burnout recovery isn’t about pushing harder.

It’s about:

• nervous system regulation

• reducing sensory load

• reducing demands & expectations

• creating supportive environments

• practising self-compassion

• discovering and honouring your energy rhythms

Most importantly, it’s about understanding your brain instead of fighting it.

When mums learn to work with their neurodivergence rather than against it, life starts to feel lighter again.

Not perfect.
But kinder.
And more sustainable.

This is why I created my Burnout Recovery Program - structured support with a small, close group to work through these areas taking one step at a time. We use proven strategies to address the drivers, with built in doubling time - because I know activation power is low. There is a chat for questions between sessions and the ability to connect with other like brained mums who get it.

Neurodivergent Burnout is really misunderstood and finding the right support can be challenging. If you are in burnout (or know someone who is) you can find more about the program here - the March Intake is open.

Stay tuned next week for a blog on burnout can show up differently based on our neurotype and the week after for practical strategies to support someone with burnout.