Hi , > I am neuroatypical and I am experiencing burnout because of my > activities in the free software world. > > ... But when I > think about the community in the context of a company—with all that > implies—I feel incredibly unwell.
It seems to me your first step is to turn off your computer and phone. Unplug for a while. If you can't get well, then unplug for life. But keep in mind that no one here is a medical professional (corrections, please), so you should seek professional help elsewhere. (And I hope you are not one of those people who self-diagnose after watching a TikTok or YouTube video. That seems dangerous to me. You should seek professional help.) Jeff On Wed, Aug 26, 2026 at 11:07 AM Jean-Christophe <[email protected]> wrote: > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QEAdlivGGs > Hello, > > I am neuroatypical and I am experiencing burnout because of my > activities in the free software world. > > What is Neuroatypical Burnout? > > Neuroatypical burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental > exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, > often exacerbated by the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent > individuals. These challenges can include > sensory overload, social expectations, executive dysfunction, and the > pressure to mask neurodivergent traits > to fit into neurotypical environments. Unlike typical burnout, > neuroatypical burnout can be more intense and > longer-lasting, deeply impacting one’s ability to function in daily > life. It often feels like a complete shutdown, > where even small tasks become overwhelming, and recovery can take much > longer. > > I don’t want to leave the free software world. It’s my passion, my > reason for living. It’s all I have. But when I > think about the community in the context of a company—with all that > implies—I feel incredibly unwell. > > I’m discovering this about myself, and it’s hitting me hard. I have no > answers, no solutions, and no way to get help. > I don’t have the means to see a therapist, and there are no resources > where I live. Nothing. I’m just frustrated and > can’t seem to do anything anymore. I don’t know how to move forward. > > I imagine I’m not the only one in the community who feels this way. > When you check every box from > this video, both the free software community and I need to > ask ourselves the hard questions. > > The debate is open, and help is welcome—including discussion groups. >
