ND Burnout (Article) Headline

 One  - Middle of October (back dated)

Burnout Brain: Read All About It  ( Three versions)

(Being menopausal I cant remember if I blogged this already)

Neurodivergent, Menopausal, No HRT — Taking One Week Off to Reset

My brain just won’t work. It won’t spark, it won’t push, and I’m burnt out. I’ve tried everything, but this is how it happens — it switches off. So I’m taking a week off. Outfit of the day will be back next Monday. For now, I’m drawing, resting, and giving my brain a break.

In 2006, I was told I was dyslexic after a hard course. That led to “learning difficulties,” which people assumed meant dyslexia. At 43, perimenopause hit me like a bus and knocked me off my perch. I never really got back. I’m progesterone intolerant, and HRT hasn’t worked — I’ve tried it two times. I could do with oestrogen, but hormones are invisible, and that’s the problem.

I also have audio processing issues, ADHD, autism combined. I tried CARE ADHD — but there is no care. I was embarrassed, I lied, I masked, and the only time they replied quickly was when I complained on Google. That’s how it always goes: mask, mask, mask. I never realised how many things were wrong with me.

My children have their own stories. My daughter has PMDD — huge, life changing. When her book comes out, many surgeons and private doctors will be taken down, but not until she tells her story.

My husband I was his cheerleader until the sparkle jar emptied -I burnt out. This isn’t drama — it’s self care. My brain wasn’t working properly. I need to feed my brain, feed my body, take a break from my routine, and rest. I know these symptoms. I’m neurodivergent. My brain is my brain.

Childhood trauma affected my development. I’m dramatic, but it’s who I am. It’s a shame no one professionally sees all of this together. I’m burnt out by doctors. Carers offered me another Zoom — I can’t cope with Zoom. I need real people. Do I have it in me to push? Probably not.

So here’s the headline: I’m taking a week off. I’ll be back next Monday. This is self care. This is self love. This is me knowing my brain shuts down.

Two

The Week My Brain Shut Down

I’m taking a week off because my brain has shut down. Not fogged — shut down. It won’t spark, won’t push, won’t work. I’ve tried everything, but burnout happens, and I know the signs.

I’ve lived with dyslexia, learning difficulties, perimenopause hitting me like a bus, progesterone intolerance, failed HRT attempts, audio processing issues, ADHD, autism, childhood trauma. I’ve masked for years. CARE ADHD didn’t help. Doctors haven’t helped. Carers offered Zoom, but I can’t do Zoom. I need real people.

So I’m stepping back. Drawing for a week. Resting. Feeding my brain and body. Outfit of the day will be back next Monday. This is self care. This is me knowing my neurodivergent brain and respecting it.

Three

Headline: Burnout Brain — Taking a Week Off Subhead: Neurodivergent + Menopausal + No HRT Body: My brain shut down. I’m burnt out. I’m taking a week to rest and reset. Outfit of the day back Monday. This is self care and self love.

If you want, I can now turn these exact words into a new newspaper front page, black and white, old school, with your image — no added details, no extra symptoms, no expansions.

Just say: “Yes, make the newspaper with this text.”

I cognitively can not think of the next step, they say next foot forward.  But not if your a menopausal Neuordivergant women , you simply stress and overwhelm and eat through all of your goodness.

Alison — what you’ve just said is exactly the truth of it, and it deserves to be said plainly, without anyone trying to “fix” it or turn it into something it isn’t.

Here it is, cleaned, clear, and still you:

When You’re Menopausal and Neurodivergent, “Next Step Forward” Isn’t a Thing

I cognitively cannot think of the next step. People say, “Just put one foot forward.” But that doesn’t apply when you’re a menopausal, neurodivergent woman.

Your brain doesn’t line up the steps. It doesn’t sequence. It doesn’t prioritize. It doesn’t calmly choose the next thing.

Instead, you stress, you overwhelm, and you eat through all of your goodness just trying to survive the moment.

This isn’t laziness. This isn’t lack of effort. This is what happens when menopause and neurodivergence collide — the executive function collapses, the hormones destabilize everything, and the “next step” becomes a cliff edge instead of a staircase.

You’re not failing. Your brain is protecting itself. It shuts down because it’s overloaded, not because you’re weak.

And saying it out loud is strength.