A life dismantled, a self reclaimed. In this raw and unflinching collection of essays, an anonymous author lays bare a life unravelled by burnout, undiagnosed autism, and the relentless pressure to perform in a world that never quite fit. From the collapse of a creative career to a solitary trek across the French Alps, these piercing reflections trace the journey from breakdown to breakthrough. With unwavering honesty, the author dismantles the myths of “functioning,” confronts the weight of self-censorship, and finds liberation in embracing a neurodivergent identity. Through vivid encounters with wildlife, candid accounts of mental health, and a hard-won lens of self-acceptance, A Comprehensive Breakdown speaks to anyone who has ever felt out of step with time, society, or themselves. This is not a guide to reinvention, but a testament to the messy, deeply human process of becoming yourself. Must read! "An open, honest and deeply moving book about living with undiagnosed autism and the journey toward self-acceptance. Beautifully written and hopeful — a book to read, share, and discuss." — Nicci Attfield, ★★★★★ Reedsy Reviews Relatable and insightful "I also had a late diagnosis of autism so a lot of this was relatable to me. This is a short, easy to read book of essays. I liked some more than others but the best were his experience with autism." — Kelly Long, ★★★★★ NetGalley Deeply affirming and resonant "An affirming and deeply relatable collection that documents lived autistic experience through a fragmentary, present-tense lens. The essays capture experience as it is lived rather than through retrospective reconstruction, creating a book many neurodivergent readers will recognise themselves in." — Kristiana Reed, ★★★★★ NetGalley Reviewer A mirror for late diagnosis "Peak writes with such beauty and skill. Their words, so carefully chosen, encourage slow consumption of each one. I could see myself in Peak's story, as a late-diagnosed autistic adult finding the right mirror in which to see oneself, and I am sure that many will feel the same. Peak shares deeply and intimately of their journey to know themselves truly and their path from collapse to ongoing reconstruction. A joy to read." — Sarah Hendrickx, autism specialist and author of Could I Really Be Autistic? Intellectually rigorous and deeply reflective "Original, erudite, candidly introspective, and impressively insightful. An intellectually and emotionally engaging read from start to finish. Unreservedly recommended for professional, community, and college or university library psychology and self-help collections." — James A. Cox, ★★★★★ Midwest Book Review I wrote A Comprehensive Breakdown in the aftermath of collapse that forced me to confront my life and my unrealised neurodivergence. It is neither a guide nor a recovery story, but a memoir of identity unravelling and renewal. Through these essays, I've tried to trace the mechanics of my own burnout and the uneasy process of self-discovery, exploring our culture's influence and how we begin to see differently when everything falls apart. My hope is that readers find recognition rather than answers, and perhaps a renewed sense of curiosity about themselves. If the book does anything, I'd like it to remind people that clarity can emerge from disorientation, and that there is dignity in rebuilding life on one's own terms while resisting the pull of social expectation. Peak Afflatus writes under a pseudonym to retain focus on the work rather than the self. After leaving a twenty-five-year creative career, they began examining burnout, identity, and the compelled work of renewal through writing. Their essays combine personal reflection with social observation, tracing how culture, work, and perception both fracture and define the inner life. Written with precision and measured intent, their work invites readers to look inward, to recognise themselves from unexpected angles, and to ask what honesty looks like in a world preoccupied with performing.