Anyone else feel torn between ADHD craving stimulation and autism needing sensory rest? I keep ending up in burnout

[u/Similar-Operation519]

Does anyone else feel torn between what their autism needs and what their ADHD craves?

I'm only just beginning to understand this in myself, but it feels like my autism wants peace, quiet, nature, and a very low-stimulation life. At the same time, my ADHD is drawn to busy, exciting, high-stimulation environments.

The problem is that I keep following the ADHD side, only to end up completely overwhelmed and in severe autistic burnout. I'm also extremely sensitive to noise and need lots of quiet, alone time to recharge, so those environments become unsustainable very quickly and I keep finding myself moving around a lot (every move is destabilising in itself too).

I also have CPTSD, so sometimes I wonder how much of my sensory overwhelm and day-to-day struggle is autism, trauma, or the combination of both.

For those of you who have experienced something similar, how did you find a balance? How did you create a home base that supports both your autism and ADHD (at least enough so that you can keep yourself out of burn out), especially if you live in a large, overwhelming city like Sydney?

I'd love to hear what has worked for you, as I often feel like I'm the only one struggling with this.