Is masking a coping mechanism?

Masking can be a behavior individuals adopt subconsciously as coping mechanisms or a trauma response, or it can be a conscious behavior an individual adopts to fit in within perceived societal norms. Masking is interconnected with maintaining performative behavior within social structures and cultures.


What mental illnesses use masking?

What mental health conditions are most often associated with masking? According to Theresa, the term masking has historically been associated with autism and ADHD, although nowadays it's used by people living with all kinds of mental health conditions.

What is masking a symptom of?

Masking is a word used to describe something seen in many children with ASD – when they learn, practice, and perform certain behaviours and suppress others in order to be more like the people around them.


What is it called when you mask your feelings?

Last updated: Aug 1, 2022 • 4 min read. Masking refers to hiding your authentic self in an effort to gain greater social acceptance. The costs of camouflaging your true personality and emotions can add up exponentially, causing you to experience a sense of loss, anxiety, and depression.

Why do people mask their emotions?

People often hide emotions to protect their relationships. When someone you care about does something upsetting, you might choose to hide your annoyance. Yes, their actions bothered you. But if they react negatively when you tell them how you feel, you could end up triggering an even more painful conflict.


The Problem with Masking ADHD and Autism (burnout, etc.)



What is ADHD masking?

If you hide your adult ADHD symptoms from other people, that's called masking. Basically, you're trying to seem more “normal” or “regular.” ADHD causes some people to act hyperactive or impulsive. It makes other folks have trouble paying attention. And still other adults have a combination of those symptoms.

Why do people wear masks to hide their personality?

Personality masks are often a self-defense mechanism. They help protect you from hurt due to societal rejection, abusers, or bullies.

What is masking trauma?

Ultimately, masking or camouflage means hiding who you are in order to fit in. When you experience trauma and/or rejection for being who you truly are, it's common to think you need to hide these traits to survive.


Is masking only for autism?

While masking is employed by many autistic people, people in marginalized groups, including women, people of color and LGBTQ+ people might feel even more compelled to camouflage their disability.

What happens when you mask your emotions?

“Suppressing your emotions, whether it's anger, sadness, grief or frustration, can lead to physical stress on your body. The effect is the same, even if the core emotion differs,” says provisional clinical psychologist Victoria Tarratt.

Do neurotypical people mask?

Almost everyone masks to some extent. For example, a neurotypical person will adapt their behaviour, body language, communication style in certain situations and contexts, like in the workplace such as acting more polite, more 'professional' and more friendly. However, it's less extreme than Autistic masking.


How do I know if my daughter is masking?

You know when your child is not OK, even if their school has not picked up on the signs. All children are different, but if they change character when they go from school to home, or go into meltdown, or appear exhausted, it might be a sign that they are masking in public.

How do I stop ADHD masking?

Learn how to deal with your emotions instead of avoiding them. Seek out a therapist or coach who understands what you are going through. Understand that you are not alone in how you experience life. Connect with other people going through the same struggles so that you can feel less alone.

What are examples of masking?

Examples of masking can include, but are not limited to:
  • Mimicking the social behaviour of others, including gestures or facial expressions.
  • Deliberately forcing or faking eye contact during conversations.
  • Hiding or underplaying their own intense interests.


What is anxiety masking?

Some people become anxious when wearing a face mask or just thinking about wearing a face mask. This would be what some are calling face mask anxiety. But it is important to remember that the mask is NOT causing the anxiety. The person's perceptions about the mask are what lead the brain to become anxious.

Is masking part of social anxiety?

According to Moscovitch, this is known as a “safety behaviour,” meaning that mask-wearing has become a coping strategy during moments of social anxiety, creating distance between the mask wearer and the people they are interacting with.

What is neurodivergent masking?

Masking is a term explaining how neurodivergent people feel the need to camouflage in social situations to appear neurotypical. Masking is a form of social survival displayed in different ways depending on the behaviours the individual wants to conceal.


How do you unlearn masking autism?

Seven Steps to Unmasking as a Neurodivergent Person
  1. Figure Out Your Own Pace. ...
  2. Think about What You're Like When You're Alone. ...
  3. Notice The Behaviors You Do For Other People. ...
  4. Recognize Internalized Ableism. ...
  5. Let Yourself Rediscover Passion. ...
  6. Find A Neurodivergent Community. ...
  7. Get Professional Support.


What is neurotypical masking?

For many neurodivergent individuals, masking has become a survival lifestyle in neurotypical societies and organizations. Masking (or camouflaging) is often used to describe the artificial performance of social behaviours that are seen as more socially acceptable in a neurotypical society.

What are the two methods for masking?

Common Methods of Data Masking
  • Inplace Masking: Reading from a target and then updating it with masked data, overwriting any sensitive information.
  • On the Fly Masking: Reading from a source (say production) and writing masked data into a target (usually non-production).


What is the difference between masking and fawning?

Masking is a form of “social camouflage” where a person adapts their behaviour in order to be accepted in an environment. Fawning is an attempt to avoid conflict by appeasing people.

What is masking and stimming?

Masking, to put it simply, is an effective way of hiding your neurodivergent symptoms when among others. Let's consider stimming, for example. Stimming is a way to let out energy, and using masking to suppress that urge is, well, tiresome to say the least.

What is masking BPD?

Having quiet borderline personality disorder (BPD) — aka “high-functioning” BPD — means that you often direct thoughts and feelings inward rather than outward. As a result, you may experience the intense, turbulent thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that characterize BPD, but you try to hide them from others.


Why do I hide my true self from others?

We worry we are unloveable or there are things about us that people will find unacceptable. This causes us to hide. We hide those parts of ourselves–maybe a secret part of our identity, maybe a troubled past, maybe a neurosis that embarrasses us.

Can ADHD cause masking?

People with ADHD will often develop a “mask” that they wear in certain situations, such as at work, which camouflage the most visible traits of the disorder. For example, they might avoid repetitive motions like leg bouncing or pen clicking because they might annoy other people.