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  • an ocean of violets in bloomviolet@sunny.garden
    Nov 2, 2026, 12:59 PM

    The very first thing that caught my eye when we started talking a lot about neurodivergence a few years back was an infographic about depression vs. autistic burnout.

    I've been diagnosed with depression (and social anxiety) for years, and most of the treatment seemed to actively make things worse. And of course I was told that was simply not possible and that I must not understand what 'better' feels like.

    The main thing that interested me in the infographic was 'behavioral activation' typically helping with depression, but often making autistic burnout worse.

    I think, at best, 'doing it anyway' just sort of makes me compartmentalize feeling awful to get through the day (because I'm used to pretending for others anyway) and just pushes the exhaustion down the road.

    I see a lot of my periods of 'doing really well' (doing the things I'm told will help) followed by absolutely crashing much differently now.

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Replies

  • an ocean of violets in bloomviolet@sunny.garden
    Nov 2, 2026, 1:14 PM

    See previous post for context.

    I'm curious. Regardless of any diagnosis, does behavioral activation, generally the idea of 'getting up and doing it anyway' when you are feeling bad, work for you?

    'Generally yes' here includes work, chores, exercise, socializing, and other activities you might not want to do on a good day, but you know you 'should.'

    'Only when I get to choose' only includes activities that you personally enjoy on a good day, which can include any of the above, or not.

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  • Mees 🔻mees@sunny.garden
    Nov 2, 2026, 2:05 PM

    @violet I have a tendency to be mean to myself and drag myself to the next task. This is, of course, detrimental in the long term.

    But when manage to be kind to myself, to take myself by the hand and do something I know is good for me, it works quite well.

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  • Mees 🔻mees@sunny.garden
    Nov 2, 2026, 2:40 PM

    @violet it also means doing the thing is allowed to be an achievement, instead of something 'I shouldn't have had trouble with anyway.'

    And it is an achievement. Because it was hard to do.

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