How to escape work-related burnout?

Post date: 2026-07-14 12:46:49

I'm a programmer with a CS degree in a work situation where I'm now expected to use AI for coding, and not just that but be an expert in using those tools. This expectation has come somewhat suddenly for me. Additionally, there are consistently patterns of what I'd consider unreasonable deadlines, and it has begun to spiral into stress as I feel like I'm suddenly incompetent at something I was very competent at, and the stress makes it hard for me to think, which leads to more stress and the wheels are starting to come off.

I'm not sure what to do next. This has all combined to put me into a state of tiredness and brainfog that has been pretty hard to get out of. I have some time off that I can use for sick days but that feels like it just delays things rather than fixes them. I'm not sure if there's some neuro-atypicalness that is contributing to this, as I have never been formally diagnosed with anything (though I suspect I may be at least somewhat autistic). I feel like I should be job hunting, but with what energy? I feel like I should get diagnosed with *something* as there's definitely not something right, I can feel it and it impacts my ability to work, but I have no clue where to start. I have a therapist, though they have been unavailable the past few weeks due to a family bereavement, so even that support has been missing, such as it is. I'm pretty much writing this while in the middle of a fog so apologies if this is a bit scattershot, because my brain also is.

Anyone have advice on what to do or where to go next

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