I had been working really hard to plan my medical leave but whoops I couldn’t stop crying last night so I decided I probably shouldn’t go to work today so I guess it’s starting early.

I have been working with an Occupational Therapist to help plan accommodations for my return, but other than that…what do I do lol?

I would very much like to speed run 100% this thing and while I know it’s not possible I’m probably going to try anyways 🤷‍♀️

If you’ve been on leave for autistic burnout I’d love to hear:

  1. What did you do with your time off?
  2. How did you know you were better?
  3. What do you wish someone told you about it?

Appreciate any replies, thanks!

  • echo@piefed.blahaj.zoneEnglish
    5·
    5 days ago

    i was on a leave of absence from college for a year and i focused on therapy, rest and hobbies - basically things i couldn’t do while i was studying. i tried to reduce my stress levels as much as possible, get good sleep, and also focused on learning how to cope with stress in therapy and eventually i felt i’d gotten to a good enough place where i could go back to school. so i completed a semester but then had to take another leave of absence because of health problems (got diagnosed with a connective tissue disorder and autoimmune disease) and that’s where we are now 🥲

    it was something i was thinking about for a while but because my family disapproved i tried to hold it out as long as i could. one day i just had a panic attack after an exam and broke down. that’s when i realised i needed to stop and repair myself or my body would just forcefully schedule one for me haha.

    don’t feel bad about having to do this, it’s important and necessary for your health and wellbeing. i hope your leave is restful and healing!

    • Arcanepotato@crazypeople.onlineOPEnglish
      3·
      4 days ago

      I wanted to add that it’s maybe a blessing in disguise that you figured this out so young. I was hospitalized as a tween and in my 20s and it was brushed off. I guess I skipped the mental breakdown in my 30s and made it to my 40s. I wonder how much easier life could have been if I had known about the neurodivergence when I was younger.

      I’m sorry you are struggling and I hope you find a way to manage your illnesses. I def learned pushing myself from my family and also living with food and housing insecurity. It’s hard to unlearn, but we’ll get there :)