Episode 121 (Season 3): Burnout City: Burnout Symptoms at a Cellular Level [featuring Dr. Mel Houser]

Understanding the root causes behind Autistic burnout symptoms can feel confusing, especially when physical symptoms are present but dismissed or misunderstood. Many in the neurodivergent community face not only emotional exhaustion but a web of hidden medical conditions that often go undiagnosed, leaving them searching for seemingly elusive answers and support. In this episode, Patrick Casale and Dr. Megan Anna Neff, two AuDHD mental health professionals, are joined by Dr. Mel Houser, an Autistic physician and founder of All Brains Belong, as they discuss the intricate connections between Autistic burnout and underlying health issues like mitochondrial dysfunction, post-exertional malaise (PEM), dysautonomia, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and mast cell activation. This discussion covers what happens on a cellular level during burnout, the importance of pacing and sensory adjustments, and why diagnostic overshadowing can be such a serious barrier to effective care. Dr. Houser also shares practical strategies, resources, and hopeful ways forward for those struggling with chronic fatigue, energy regulation, and co-occurring medical concerns. Top 3 reasons to listen to the entire episode: Gain a deeper understanding of why Autistic burnout isn’t "just in your head"—this episode breaks down the science behind energy production, chronic illness, and how they intersect with neurodivergent experiences. Discover pacing techniques, environmental adaptations, and supplements that may support recovery and energy management—plus get direct links to free resources designed specifically for neurodivergent adults. Hear honest, validating conversation about grief, privilege, and agency while exploring what it really takes to honor energy access needs and navigate medical systems as an Autistic or ADHD adult. If you or someone you care for battles constant exhaustion, brain fog, or unexplained physical symptoms, don’t miss this compassionate and practical conversation, and learn how Autistic burnout and chronic illness connect—and discover steps you can take to better support your body, brain, and well-being. DISCLAIMER: This episode is not intended as medical advice. More about Mel: Dr. Mel Houser (she/they) is an Autistic family physician with a clinical focus on providing primary care for neurodivergent patients across the lifespan. She is the Founder and Executive Director of All Brains Belong VT, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Montpelier, Vermont that uses universal design principles to provide neurodiversity-affirming medical care, social connection opportunities for all ages, and neurodiversity-related educational training. At age 37, Dr. Houser was diagnosed as autistic, ADHD, dyspraxic, dyslexic, and dyscalculic. She is also the parent of an autistic 6-year-old, who is her guru of so many keys to the universe. Website: allbrainsbelong.org Instagram: instagram.com/allbrainsbelongvt What the bleep can I eat?!: whatthebleepcanieat.com All Brains Belong Resources: Everything is Connected to Everything: Improving the Healthcare of Autistic & ADHD Adults: allbrainsbelong.org/all-the-things Exploring ENERGY Equilibrium Strategies for Individuals who Experience Post Exertional Malaise (PEM) - allbrainsbelong.org/pem collab with Autism Level UP! Brain Club® Digital Resource Library - Healthcare (Check back in mid-September for more topics): allbrainsbelong.org/brain-club Other Resources: Bateman Horne Center's ME/CFS Crash Survival Guide: batemanhornecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/filebase/crash_care/Dark_Blue_Survival_Guide_Complete.pdf Neurodivergent Insights Resource on Autistic Burnout: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources The Autistic Burnout Workbook by Dr. Megan Anna Neff: simonandschuster.com/books/The-Autistic-Burnout-Workbook/Megan-Anna-Neff/9781507223062 Check out Neurodivergent Insights’ Library of Boundary Scripts (free resource) Divergent Conversations Podcast Episodes: Episode 2: Autistic Burnout ( divergentpod.com/2 ) Episode 47: Autistic Burnout (Part 2): A Deep Dive Into The Diversity of Burnout ( divergentpod.com/47 ) Episode 73: Chronic Health (Part 4): All Brains Belong [featuring Dr. Mel Houser] ( divergentpod.com/73 ) ———————————————————————————————— 🎙️Listen to more episodes of the Divergent Conversations Podcast 🎙️ Spotify 🎙️ Apple 🎙️ YouTube Music ▶️ YouTube 💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground ———————————————————————————————— Thanks to Our Sponsor: Landmark College & Jane ✨ Landmark College : Landmark College is the world's first accredited college designed exclusively for students who learn differently. Landmark, located in Putney, Vermont, offers courses in person and online, awarding associate and bachelor's degrees, and offering pre-college, gap year, and professional development programs for educators who work with neurodivergent students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 7 to 1, and the renowned Landmark College Institute for Research and Training, Landmark offers personalized and research-informed support for neurodivergent students that is not available at traditional colleges. Enrollment is still open for Fall 2025. Learn more about this opportunity at landmark.edu . ✨ Jane : Jane is a practice management software and EMR that helps you balance caring for clients while growing your business. Co-founded by a multidisciplinary clinic owner and a developer with an eye for design, it’s built to fit the way that you work, supporting your practice as it grows and evolves. Jane helps with day-to-day admin, like scheduling, documentation, and billing, so you can stay focused on the care you give. Jane was built with clients in mind, too. With online booking and secure online appointments (telehealth), your care stays accessible and easy to keep up with. To learn more about Jane, book a demo for a one-on-one, no-pressure chat with a lovely member of their team. Or, if you’re ready to sign up, enjoy a 2-month grace period on your new account with code DCPOD . Sign up here: janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/divergentconversations ✨ Neurodivergent Insights Autistic Burnout Resources If you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources ———————————————————————————————— 💬 Join Divergent Conversations Underground Divergent Conversations Underground is a space for messy conversations, real connection, and unfinished thoughts in a neurodivergent-affirming community. If you’d like to go deeper with us into more nuanced, searching conversations, join here: divergentconversations.substack.com ———————————————————————————————— Mentioned in this episode: Landmark College Landmark College is the world's first accredited college designed exclusively for students who learn differently. Landmark, located in Putney, Vermont, offers courses in person and online, awarding associate and bachelor's degrees, and offering pre-college, gap year, and professional development programs for educators who work with neurodivergent students. With a student-to-faculty ratio of just 7 to 1, and the renowned Landmark College Institute for Research and Training, Landmark offers personalized and research-informed support for neurodivergent students that is not available at traditional colleges. Enrollment is still open for Fall 2025. Learn more about this opportunity at landmark.edu. Learn More About Landmark College Jane Jane is a clinic management software and EMR designed to be an extra set of helping hands in your health and wellness business. Available online and on any device, Jane has branded online booking, scheduling, insurance billing, customizable documentation templates and online forms, integrated payments, telehealth, and more — wrapped up in one beautiful package that even your patients/clients will love. Backed by our unlimited human support available by phone, email, and chat (even on Saturdays!), Jane is here to help you get back to the work you love. Get 2 months off new Jane subscriptions when you use code DCPOD at signup. Visit: https://janesoftware.partnerlinks.io/divergentconversations Neurodivergent Insights' Autistic Burnout Resources If you’d like to supplement your learning on burnout, you can check out Neurodivergent Insights' resources on burnout. We have articles, an Autistic Burnout course, workbooks, and print books! Visit: https://neurodivergentinsights.com/burnout-resources