Is it just me, or do other people with autism feel tired all the time as well?
I try my best to be a vibrant and energetic person, but I often find that I am easily overcome with tiredness and mental fatigue. I have to work extra hard to concentrate on work related tasks, as a result this quickly leads to mental burn out.
Often, people with autism get mentally fatigued during the day, and need to have a nap.
At these times I cannot think clearly at all. The harder I try, the more fatigued my brain feels. The only thing I can do is to have a nap and get the tiredness out of my system before I can do the next task.
I feel very guilty if I have to sleep during the day when I know I should be working, but at least after a nap, I can continue to do some good work with the quick boost of energy I get.
I have noticed that other autistic people complain about feeling tired all the time, so I know that I am not alone.
I think it’s partly to do with the fact that many autistic people have trouble sleeping at night. I have always had this problem. It means that when I wake up in the morning after just a couple of hours sleep, I am still really tired, and I feel that way for most of the day unless I have a nap at some point.
I also think that because my brain has to work so hard to make sense of things around me, my mind runs out of steam very quickly, and even simple tasks become difficult to think about clearly.
The other factor in all of this, is mental fatigue caused by the high levels of stress and anxiety faced by many people with autism. This can also cause ones mind to feel extremely tired.
Being around other people in social settings also causes some people on the autistic spectrum to feel mentally fatigued. I usually find a quiet place away from everybody whenever I can.
If like me, you are on medication for anxiety, this can also cause tiredness.
I don’t have any solutions for this problem. My doctor tells me not to sleep during the day, and to get more exercise. This should work, but it doesn’t seem to, in my case.
I’m lucky, in that for much of the week I work from home. So I usually do as much work as I can until my brain won’t function. I then have a nap for an hour, then I can carry on with what I’m doing afterwards.
It’s the only way I can get through the day.
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Are you on the autistic spectrum and do you have trouble with mental fatigue and tiredness?
Thanks for reading-Steve
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Cori says
I am not officially diagnosed with autism (yet) but have great suspicion I might be on the spectrum (once a therapist suggested it to me and a close friend thinks so too).
My first year at university was hell on earth. After six to eight hours of courses, I was completely done. I came home and just wanted to sleep for the rest of the day but actually couldn’t because I was supposed to be learning and repeating the material. Eventually I needed to quit my major and change it because I felt tired all the time. Even after I have quit, it took weeks for me to fully recover. This was 2019 and at that time, I’ve felt guilty and like a failure.
Even before starting uni, I had always struggled with feeling rested and executive functioning. I sleep through the nights, but my brain is still very active in sleep and I often have intense dreams, hence why I feel rarely rested at morning. I need daily naps as well and just regular time on my own, otherwise I can’t function properly. It’s still a struggle to achieve balance but you are definitely not alone with this. And I’m glad to know me “failing” my major wasn’t probably entirely my own fault. I’m not stupid nor lazy but it is tough to function.
Su Scotting says
I am 58 and waiting for an autism referral..(could take 3 years!) I had to work part time and found I was sleeping rest of time and so exhausted so gave up work but can’t get disability..am in what I think is a burn out..been going on for a year..feel like i slept for months and now most days finding it hard to motivate and often stay in bed..have had a couple of close bereavements too..don’t know if I’ll have energy again…pretty scarey and is impacting spouse
Dean says
I’m a 28 y/old on the spectrum myself, and found this by googling. It’s nice to see the validation that others struggle with the same issue.
Work started up for me after a 2 week break, and I have been sleeping for the majority of my free time. It’s difficult not to feel guilty over it. I still don’t know how to regulate my feelings about it in general.
I doubt my own depression helps either. And I recognise the difficulties of sleeping at night, too.
As horrible as it feels for our productiveness, I guess the first step is learning to accept our bodies crave the extra rest. It’s better to grab the cat naps than force yourself through it (if you’re able to, anyway.)
I don’t really have a lot to add. Just wanted to share, and thank both you and your commentators for breaching the topic 🙂
Krys says
I am an adult on the spectrum. I work 16 hour shifts as an Emergency Medical Technician. With this there are highs there are lows, there are times I’m absolutely exhausted to the point where it is hard to speak, it is hard to concentrate, it is hard to function. This is especially hard if my day is busy with critical patients. Though my body adjusts to my hours and I have stopped taking naps during the day on my days off there are other factors. Even if I get plenty of sleep there are times that my emotions will exhaust me. If I get upset and cry over something, if I’m worried about something, if I get close to an anxiety attack or have a panick attack,if there is too much going on at one time where it is hard to focus. Illness drains me as well. I can’t go to work if I don’t feel well. It is like even a stupid sinus infection will make me so drowsy or tired where it is hard to function, hard to speak, hard to concentrate. This in itself can be hazardous, especially if I’m stubborn and try to ignore the symptoms. I waited one time so long the Dr. told me I was close to having pneumonia.
The job I have is demanding and I love it. I push myself to the limits because I know I’m needed. If I call in I feel I let my co workers down because there is a shortage and we are so low in #’s that a 12 hour shift ALWAYS ends in 16 hrs due to mandatory forced over time.
Chana Driver says
My 5 year old grandson is on the spectrum and extremely high functioning. He must nap during the day or he gets so irritable and angry. Mental fatigue I guess is the issue . He just turned 5 last week and is in ore-school where he naps each day. Even at home he takes a nap on his own. I am concerned about him starting kindergarten next year and not being able to take a nap at school. He sleeps well at night. He goes to sleep very quickly when he gets in his bed. He does not need to get up at night to use the bathroom and he is in bed by 8 pm. Any suggestions?
Amanda says
I’m not autistic but my 5 year old is I’ve noticed he’s tired a lot he still needs naps that’s why I ran across this was seeing if it’s normal
Laura says
I feel the same!!! When I’ve been at university all day. I will stay in my room and turn the lights off. I will usually fall asleep or watch something while I sit in bed.
Wayne says
Sorry, I should have said.. You can see it’s dramatic effects by waiting until you are mentally exhausted then take a tablespoon instant pick up and stamina
simcity 2008 says
Omg I feel I can relate to this so much. I usually have a routine when I’m at uni where I must sleep 2 hours afterwards to get the tiredness out so I can concentrate better and be more efficient or I’ll just sit there staring at the floor and be grumpyetc.
I also have this nocturnal thing where I’m much more happier and efficient In the night/early morning when the rest of the world is sleeping!!
Also I find social interactions with strangers more stressful than those not on the spectrum and contributes to the tiredness.
I also try to avoid getting really social as it often provides to be a distraction and diverts my resources elsewhere I.e. I can’t seem to work and be social with everyone like those without autism can.
I had to take out a year for these difficulties especially with not getting along with people & being “different ” meant I couldn’t adapt my self the lifestyle of others eg. Sleeping at night but then not throughout the day.
Laura says
I do my work at night too!!! There’s just less noise and people around. My energy boosts in darkness too.
Marie says
Hi Steve,
I feel the same way that I am too easily tired. I think it is mainly from the social anxiety of interacting throughout the day. I also work 12 hours shifts which doesn’t help but gives me days to recover where I can have my alone time. I found going to eat outside by myself if crucial or I have a hard time focusing through the remainder of the day. I am also on anxiety meds but they don’t seem to make me too tired. I am new to the autism diagnosis and was glad to see your post. I often feel like life shouldn’t be this hard and there was something wrong. The autism diagnosis helped it make sense to me at least.
Anonymous says
I have the same. I am studying at university full-time and always struggle if I have more than two lectures. I feel like the more stimuli – whether they be social interaction, work tasks, noise or other things – I have to process, the quicker I get tired. I also agree with needing naps, because the fatigue is crippling. I find that if I ignore it, my eyes start to feel strained, I start feeling nauseous and eventually I get so desperate for some rest I will just go home, no matter what other responsibilities I have that day. It is for this reason important to be self aware and try and find ways to manage your levels of tiredness. For me, when I don’t have the option to nap, I find listening to my favourite song on my phone, going to a small room where I can be alone or if there aren’t any going to the toilet and sit there for a few minutes (yes, really), or as a last resort taking opioid painkillers (ie codeine, tramadol) really helps me. If you can… ALWAYS nap though! It is really the only way to get refreshed. Just because the doctor or father time says you should be awake between 8am and 11pm, doesn’t mean your mind and body agree. Listen to your body and your body alone and that is the best way to cope.
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi. I totallt relate to yoyr experience if tiredness. So many of us on the spectrum have trouble getting to sleep at night. I find that being so tired as a result if this, just makes it even harder to process information. I now think its better to have a nap if possible. This always boosts my energy and makes me feel more positive for a good few hours afterwards.
Regards
Steve
Angie says
There is a high correlation between autism and mitochondrial dysfunction which is a disorder in the body’s production of energy from food/calories.
If you feel you are not getting good sleep then try taking melatonin at bedtime. There are several studies that support using melatonin to regulate sleep for people with autism.
If you sleep well but still feel fatigued then you may find relief using a “mito cocktail” combination of certain supplements like CoQ10 and Carnitine.
One last thing to investigate could be salicylate sensitivity which is quite common in autism. You can read about the Feingold Diet which helps treat hyperactivity/ADHD in children but also treats chronic fatigue in some adults.
Good luck!
Britt says
My 5 year old Autistic son is the same. He can have a couple of naps in the day. He does got to bed at 7 and he does fall asleep quick and usually sleeps through, apart from the moments he gets into our bed. It does worry me a bit with the falling asleep at school.
Anna says
Hi. I actually came on here as it was one of the few things I could find online about autism and tiredness. My son is almost 7 and seems very tired all the time, we home school him so he could nap if he wanted to but never does. I’m sorry your son has trouble too but it is always a comfort to know what our children are going through isn’t out of the ordinary for those with autism. I’ve often wondered if it was the amount of information their bodies have to process that drains them. Unfortunately I don’t have any suggests how to help him, just wanted to let you know he’s not alone with his problem.
Danielle Elizabeth Mattreaux says
hey-my son is 9 and he has autism-it used to be that he refused to go to public school almost everyday and we couldnt keep him awake -he would constantly have to have naps at school-even a year past his 1st grade-i think its because of his mental ability to cope-today-he is having a mental….breakdown as u put it-he has to stay home and sleep and refuses to step foot out of the snoring range lol-he is only like this now like….3 times a year-so he is alot better now-but i think its mainly because i refuse to let him spend time doing too much work that frustrates him-when at home we focus mainly on expression thru art and music-at school we have focused on breaks thruout the day in the art room or with little walks-maybe its ur job setting-maybe you should find a job u enjoy-life is hard but even harder when ur not completly happy ♥
Matt says
Hi Steve
This is a great topic for conversation. Just to clarify before begin, I have just recently turned down the opportunity to be diagnosed. I am fortunate to be able to work full time in Management and the diagnosis would mean being labelled disabled under the equality act of2010. I simply cannot see that the world f employers would understand quite like someone who is autistic or involved with Autism in some way. The reason I like your topic is that I have been struggling for years with this problem. I am 35 and still at a loss for my tiredness. I have to have day naps sometimes 2 or 3 a day. Just for 30mins – hour. I find that no matter what i do i just cannot avoid sleep. My brain just gives in. I understand- that its due to me having to concentrate more and make the balance in my brain happen similar to that of a non autistic person and that causes huge tiredness with most social or work related things. The best thing is to structure your day which includes a nap or 2. Sometimes just accepting that we are different and need mind rests makes all the difference in our attitudes or perceptions of what we should do or look like we should do. Rest when needed but not to long. I find like you an hour is max. Otherwise not achieving goals is a frustrating and sad reality.
Good luck
Matt
Steve- adults with autism says
Hi Matt
Sorry for taking a few days to get back to you, I’ve been tied up with work.
I totally relate to what you say about needing to nap during the day. I find that I just have to, otherwise I can’t function properly or get anything done. Like you say, my brain also just gives in.
It could be to do with stress, anxiety and depression. Also many autistic people do not sleep very well and are tired the following day.
My approach is just to get through the day any way I can and if it means having a nap to feel better, then I just do it, then I feel fresh to do good work afterwards.
Best wishes Steve