Masking

Masking is a way of hiding ADHD traits to help you fit in, especially in environments where you feel unsafe and judged, like school or the workplace.

Masking means suppressing your needs. It may begin as a useful coping strategy but it is exhausting and often leads to a crash of energy when you’re alone.

Examples of masking traits:

• not saying what you think to avoid potential conflict

• crinkling your eyes to make a smile seem genuine

• forcing yourself to sound upbeat while suppressing your real emotions

• imitating mannerisms or speech patterns of others to ‘fit in’

• mentally rehearsing conversations in advance to avoid making ‘social mistakes’

Consequences of masking:

• Perfectionist tendencies and lower self-esteem

• Anxiety and depression

• Higher risk of self-sabotaging behaviours (e.g. eating disorders, alcohol abuse)

• Fatigue and burnout

• Delay getting a diagnosis due to the minimising of symptoms and challenges (especially in girls and women)

UNMASK YOURSELF AND BUILD A MORE CONFIDENT, AUTHENTIC YOU.