@debra.unmasked: The science behind why ND burnout happens + an update! Episode 2 of Old School AuDHDacity is here! 🫗 This is my new series where I share the latest neurodivergent news and knowledge the analog way, with just pen, paper, and passion because I spent all of my money on product development and now I can’t afford to hire a professional artist. Two months ago, someone asked me what the scientific evidence was for how I got out of burnout. My answer got over 41,000 views and so many comments about how so many of you resonated with my discovery, so I wanted to make a visual version for anyone who learns better with drawings (like me). And since then, I’ve connected more dots, so this one comes with an update as well! Self Determination Theory says all humans need autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When you’re ND in an NT world, those needs aren’t just unmet, they’re undermined every single day by masking, the mismatch between what we need and how the world was built, and never feeling seen. Here’s the update: SDT explains the psychological side of burnout, but there’s a physical side too. I believe your physical health is the cup itself. Conditions like MCAS, hEDS, and POTS can make your cups more prone to holes and cracks. For me, getting COVID weakened my cups and became the triggering event that pushed me into the worst burnout of my life. Burnout is a predictable outcome of leaking cups. It is absolutely not a character flaw, and recovery is possible! In the next episode, I’ll explain how to begin the process of recovering from ND burnout! 💬 Which cup is leaking the most for you right now? Autonomy? Competence? Relatedness? Please share in the comments! #audhd #adhd #autism #autisticburnout #burnout

nobody :

I think this is fantastic, and it resonates. Do you think your metaphor can be stretched to explain why late diagnosed autistics are commonly so much less capable after diagnosis?

dogsgoingupstairs 🇦🇺🦘 :

this is really helpful, thank you! my cups have been shithouse for 5 years because the vax triggered POTS/ME/CFS/chronic pain and other problems (like Christina Applegate, coincidentally), and then I got diagnosed audhd this year. This makes so much sense to me and explains why I've been struggling to manage energy expenditure and burn out. We don't acknowledge how much these things use up energy because it's invisible. It's not just about physical energy, mental energy is just as exhausting as running a marathon. AND in the relatedness cup, my main problem has always been not feeling understood while also never really understanding anything (because people and social rules make no sense and are contradictory) 😂 Well done, this is great and I learned a lot. 🥰

good things small packages :

Thank you cups makes do much sense. Yes I have a specific spoon but this is not a factor in how I am best set up to face the world . I can be happier with my special spoon but 10 of them is not making me more resilient in face I think it is adding to mental load because now I have to remember wher all the spoons are and I know one thing each one was put in a safe place that no one will find it and will have been put down one at a time to develop into me hyper focused on finding my spoons and achieving less than I down before I was introduced to spoons as a reason for my inability to meet all the expectations because spoons

Bunnystories 🇺🇸💙🥳 :

Me having almost zero relatedness my entire life because I’m also avoidant and leave everyone 😳🥹 I am screwed.

Sushi_Homewrecker :

and this is why I stopped trying to do therapy, I just ended up showing my therapist tiktoks made by creators who knew more about Neurodivergent minds than they did. thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Bmw M5_E34 :

The way our minds work is honestly fascinating.

Wateryaquarius :

I like your approach :)

crowberta✨🐦‍⬛💖 :

I learned today that crows love a good analogy.

Apparently, I’m Amy :

Ya, I do not exist. 🤣

StrengthToShift :

I’m off with burnout and I think this just changed my life

fefly :

I'm too early!! I need the "what to do about it" video 😭

Hurry Up, We're Dreaming :

3 cup empty burnout club 🫡

stelliumgirlie :

The crows!!

gert :

I really like your analogy. As a psychologist I would add that, besides (chronic) (pre-existing) illnesses, the stress of dealing with neurodivergence also leads to more breakage of the cub. Long lasting stress changes the body and creates illnesses because of the over usage of certain body parts (e.g.: heart, blood vessels, digestive system). This would also explain why people with more ressources have less leakage since they have enough resources to lift some of the pressure on the cub, however they will still experience leaking because of what you have said. You thought of a very good way of explaining the burn out. It was smart to connect it to this theory!

Matriarchy.Rising🐦‍🔥 :

THANK YOU! This is the most concise and clear explanation I've come across that can help me bring this experience of audhd into words

kappamaximus :

I have always been a sci-fi/tech loving kid, but there is something very grounding about analog material. I do register the irony of taking that in through a digital device, but you know. I enjoy your approach. cheers

Yano :

Love this! Your og cup theory video is good, but the lack of visuals did mean i had to watch it a few times

Stephen_Soothly :

NicoleKnits29 :

Every other month my period burns me out so badly. Sometimes I can handle it but if something goes wrong or I miss something important I crumble

Melissa Kramer972 :

this explains why last week, where I was kind of spiraling about my ability to do my job and thus live independently, has left me still exhausted/overwlemed/desperately seeking comfort still this week

expeoplepleaser :

I love your drawings

Kieran🇳🇱 :

Thank you for putting words (and drawings) to this. I already know this is going to help a lot, to put words to what's happening

Kuşadası Mübadele Derneği :

I wish self-compassion came as naturally as self-criticism 😂

Pael :

Аnwen 𝖱eid anxiety quiz made me reflect on how depression had changed the way I see myself. One of the journal exercises asked me to notice things I was still proud of, and I honestly struggled to answer. It was emotional, but it reminded me that small steps deserve recognition too. ❤️

teekay :

Аnwen 𝖱eid anxiety quiz made me confront something uncomfortable. I wasn't just overthinking, I was constantly expecting something terrible to happen. The workbook helped me recognize that pattern and start questioning those thoughts instead of automatically believing them.