Definition:
Burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overexertion, or sustained mismatch between demands and capacity. In neurodivergent people, burnout may include skill loss, sensory intolerance, and long recovery periods.
Usage Context:
Discussed in workplace psychology, disability communities, and mental health contexts. Autistic and ADHD burnout are increasingly recognised as distinct from general occupational burnout.
Critical Note:
Burnout is often framed as an individual resilience failure rather than a structural problem. This framing protects harmful systems while placing responsibility for recovery on those most depleted by them.
Related Terms:
Precarious Labour, Economic Precarity, Attritional Harm, Normalisation Pressure, Care Economy