Aspergers and Fatigue

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I have CFS and fibromyalgia as well. I can relate exactly to what you are saying.

I also wonder if there's a connection between AS and developing chronic fatigue, since everything is so much harder with AS. Most people with CFS seem to say it started up for them suddenly, sometimes after an illness, but for me it started very gradually and has always progressed gradually, getting worse over the years. I wonder if that is somehow a different source of the chronic fatigue, if the constant stress of dealing with AS could have been at least a factor in bringing it on.

My inattentive ADHD symptoms makes me very fatigued, very mind slow. Just thinking about them makes me want to go to sleep.

I am easily fatigued. I almost think fatigued is my natural state, but that seems like a cop-out. I probably just need more exercise and am perhaps not getting an adequate amount of some vitamin or mineral or other. I think maybe I'll adjust my diet to be a little more deliberate.

Unfortunately, in my experience, people do awful things when you start tuning them out. The last time I tried wearing an ipod shuffle and tuning the people in the grocery store out, a parent allowed their child to ram me full force in the small of the back with a shopping cart, pinning me in a freezer compartment.

Being around humans requires constant vigilance. They are unpredictable and vicious creatures.

Wow, that's terrible. I'm sorry to hear that. For some reason, I only attract civilized behavior from humans, at least nowadays.

You sound like that deep part of my brain given voice (or fingers, computer, and internet connection, as the case may be). I'm sorry.

I've never managed to get rid of that invisible (to me) "KICK ME" sign on my back. The main difference between childhood and now is that now I have been able to meet more supportive, kind people than I had as a child (which is one of the main things that has kept me from being suicidal.) But the bullies (of all ages) are still going strong and there's still something about me that screams "I AM A TARGET! ABUSE ME FREELY!" to the general public. And I still don't know how to turn that neon sign off. I have no idea what I do or don't do that makes people want to treat me that way.

No, I don't either. Some people seem to have it, as you've noticed. I am glad you've met some supporting folk, and I do hope you do find the switch, and that you have more peace and happiness.

I'm not quite so sure if the reason for this is AS, it's probably part of the problem, but I think it might also have to do with the fact that people with AS are usually very introverted. People who are introverted, but don't have AS also get worn out by social situations.

I'm not entirely convinced I'm an introvert. I think there's a very good chance that I'm an extravert who developed the defense mechanisms of hiding and of finding and enjoying solo pursuits as a reaction to a lifetime of bullying and bad interactions.

what a great thread this was to read:) actually I'd been thinking of posting a thread something like - do you ever feel like you have absolutely no choice but to do nothing? but seems like lots of aspies do experience this but call it fatigue or sensory overload or whatever. I've been cracking up over all the stories I can relate to - not being able to keep up with the NTs, needing hours of staring at the wall time to recover from seemingly minor things, grocery trips which take all day and require a day to recover etc.

For me, while I'm studying by long distance, I find I can manage 2 days of working but then need a day of complete rest - this means I do absolutely nothing but rest - only I call it my all-day-meditation-day to make myself feel better:) I agree meditation is a great strategy for this mental fatigue because it's a way of getting relief from sensory stimulation and experiencing a much more fulfilling happiness.

That sounds a little like autistic inertia. I have that, too.

I get tired quite easily. I only work for 6 hours a day, but it is being around people the whole time. This is really draining for me. After work I write (creatively) for about 2 hours then I am burned out. Other people I know seem to be able to do more than me.

YES!! ! That is what I do every Sunday. I lock myself in my room, don't leave the house, and just watch movies all day long. I NEED to do this. If I can't have the whole of Sunday to do it my week is screwed. I mean, that I get physically sick.

I'm ALWAYS tired. Except for the time between when I get to work and no one is in the office, and lunch time when the most people are there. Saturdays and Sundays, when I'm at home, I have tons of energy.

I try to avoid places like Walmart and Target. All the lights, sounds, and people send my senses into overload. It exhausts me! The same goes for company luncheons, concerts, etc. Sometimes I get really frustrated, because I feel like I'm getting done only half of what I should in a day. Plus, the fatigue makes it even harder to think so I make mistakes.

People are incredibly distracting, and not in a good way.

Our car broke so my husband sent me to the grocery with his friend. He was so distracting -- just having to keep track of where he was and respond to things he said -- that I didn't get important things on my list and I got home feeling twice as nauseated and exhausted as I usually do after shopping.