Anxiety and Autistic Burnout: Specialised Counselling in Glasgow

Brain Botanics
May 6
4 min read

Hey there! I'm Rebecca, and if you're reading this, chances are you know that feeling when anxiety isn't just "being worried" anymore—it's become a constant companion draining your energy reserves. For neurodivergent women especially, this exhaustion can be part of something deeper: autistic burnout. As a counsellor based in Glasgow, I've worked with many women experiencing this unique intersection.

When Anxiety and Masking Create the Perfect Storm

When we're dealing with generalised anxiety disorder (and yes, it's way more than just being "a worrier"), our brain is basically running an overprotective security system. For neurodivergent women, this combines with the energy required to "mask" (hiding neurodivergent traits to appear more neurotypical) to create a unique kind of exhaustion.

Here's what this often looks like:

Feeling completely drained after what others consider "simple" social interactions
Finding that your anxiety symptoms intensify after periods of high masking
Noticing that your usual anxiety management techniques stop working
Experiencing new sensitivities to sounds, lights, or textures that didn't bother you before
Feeling like your emotional regulation abilities have suddenly disappeared

This isn't just regular anxiety—it's your nervous system sending urgent signals that it needs rest and recovery.

The Invisible Energy Equation Nobody Talks About

What many traditional approaches miss is that neurodivergent women often operate with a different energy equation. Activities that might be energetically neutral for neurotypical people can be significant energy drains for neurodivergent nervous systems.

For example:

Making eye contact while having a conversation might cost you 15% of your daily energy
Processing background noise in a busy environment might take another 20%
Remembering to use the expected facial expressions during a meeting? That's another 15%

Add generalised anxiety on top of this—the constant worry, the physical tension, the mental rehearsal of potential problems—and you're operating at an energy deficit before you've even tackled your actual responsibilities.

Signs Your Nervous System is Heading Toward Burnout

Your body and mind will give you warnings before complete burnout happens. Here are some signals that are particularly common in anxious, neurodivergent women:

Meltdowns or shutdowns over seemingly small triggers—your nervous system is already at capacity before the "small thing" happened
Loss of skills or abilities you usually have—executive function, verbal communication, or sensory filtering might suddenly become much harder
Increased stimming behaviours—your system is working overtime to regulate
Intense anxiety about tasks you could previously manage—your brain knows you don't have the energy reserves for them
Withdrawal from social connections—even supportive ones become too energetically expensive
Sleep disturbances—despite feeling exhausted, your nervous system remains on high alert
Increased sensory sensitivities—sounds seem louder, lights brighter, fabrics more irritating

How Counselling Can Help Bridge the Gap

In my specialist anxiety counselling practice, when working with clients experiencing this combination of anxiety and burnout, my approach is significantly different from standard anxiety treatment. We focus on:

Energy accounting rather than just anxiety management—identifying where your energy goes and creating a sustainable energy budget
Reducing masking demands instead of increasing coping skills—often the solution isn't "more skills" but "less pressure"
Creating recovery protocols for days when symptoms flare—concrete plans for what helps your specific nervous system reset
Developing authentic communication strategies that require less energy than masking
Building accommodations into daily life rather than pushing through discomfort

A Different Approach: Working With Your Brain, Not Against It

Instead of fighting your anxiety (which, spoiler alert: tends to make it stronger), my approach offers something different. Here's what actually works:

1. Creating a Sensory Refuge

Designate one space (even if it's just a corner) in your home that's optimised for your sensory needs—the right lighting, comfortable textures, minimal noise. This becomes your nervous system reset station.

2. Implementing the "50% Rule"

When estimating how much energy something will take, assume it will actually take twice that amount—then plan accordingly. This builds in the buffer your anxious, neurodivergent system needs.

3. Practising "Masking Awareness"

Start noticing when you're masking and how it feels in your body. Just the awareness itself can help reduce the unconscious energy drain.

The Path to Real Change

Through my work in using ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), I've seen how combining these approaches can create lasting change for women experiencing anxiety and autistic burnout:

ERP helps you gradually face feared situations while learning to reduce compensatory behaviours
ACT teaches you to accept anxiety symptoms while still moving toward what matters to you
Together, they help you build both resilience and authenticity

A Note from Someone Who Gets It

When I first started helping women with anxiety and burnout, it wasn't just from my professional training – it came from my own journey of learning to understand my nervous system's signals. Now, as a therapist with 12 years of experience in Glasgow, I combine evidence-based approaches with real-world understanding of what it's like to navigate anxiety as a neurodivergent woman.

Ready to Write Your Own Story?

Your anxiety has been writing your story for long enough. Whether it's managing your energy more effectively, building meaningful connections that don't drain you, or just feeling more at ease in your own skin, you get to decide what the next chapter looks like.

Remember: The goal isn't to eliminate anxiety completely (that would be like trying to turn off your brain's security system entirely). Instead, it's about updating that system so it works for you, not against you.

Want to explore how we can work together at my online Glasgow counselling service to help you navigate anxiety while honouring your neurodivergent needs? I offer therapy specifically designed for women dealing with anxiety, with particular understanding of neurodivergent experiences. We'll work at your pace, using proven approaches that actually make sense for your unique brain.

Reach out for a consultation – no pressure, just a genuine conversation about where you are and where you want to be. Sometimes the bravest step is simply acknowledging that you're ready for change. Book Your Consultation