Overfunctioning / Underfunctioning/OH-ver-FUNK-shun-ing / UN-der-FUNK-shun-ing/
Two common responses to stress: doing "too much" (taking on everything, over‑controlling) or "shutting down" (reduced capacity, withdrawal).
Andy says:
Like flooring the gas vs. stalling the engine—both signs the car needs a pit stop, not blame.
Detailed Explanation
Overfunctioning can look like hyper‑productivity, caretaking others, or perfectionism. Underfunctioning may mean reduced initiation, more rest, and opting out. People can swing between the two. Supports aim for co‑regulation, boundaries, and pacing.
Community Context
In ND spaces, these patterns often reflect energy, sensory, and executive load—not character. Shame fuels swings; structure stabilizes.
Quick Tips
- Name which mode you’re in; pick one stabilizer (rest, boundary, checklist)
- Cancel non‑essentials; ask for help
- Use energy budgeting to return to mid‑range
Do / Don't
- Do: reduce demands; build small wins
- Don't: moralize productivity or shutdowns
Scientific Context
Stress/arousal models explain shifts in capacity; regulation and environmental changes improve functioning.
Language Notes
Related: masking fatigue, burnout, shutdowns.
Related Terms
Autistic Burnout
Complete physical, mental, and sensory collapse from the cumulative cost of existing in a neurotypical world. Skills disappear, speech vanishes, and previously automatic tasks become impossible—not tiredness but neurological system failure.
Emotional Dysregulation
Neurological differences in how emotions are experienced, processed, and expressed. Characterized by intense feelings that may seem disproportionate to triggers and difficulty returning to emotional baseline—not a character flaw, but brain-based variation.
Pacing
Balancing activity and rest to avoid overwhelm, burnout, or crashes.
Energy Budgeting
Planning activities around available energy using a structured, proactive plan.
Accommodations
Changes to environment, tools, timing, or expectations that remove barriers so people can participate equally. Not special treatment or lowered standards—just different paths to the same destination.
Community Contributions
Your contributions help make definitions more accurate and accessible.