ADHD Masking

ADHD in disguise

Masking is a coping strategy used to avoid shame and stigma associated with the condition. It involves hiding or overcompensating symptoms, which is not the same as managing ADHD. Masking can interfere with paying attention to surroundings or following conversations. Others might be unable to tell apart from masking ADHD and managing it. Still, there may be signs one can spot, such as purposefully saying less, not talking too much, or interrupting people.

Many adults with ADHD are not diagnosed as children. Instead, they often contact psychiatric services only because of co-morbid disorders. Means like timers and checklists can help avoid procrastination, but it is essential to identify and modify the types of ADHD masking that may be causing stress or anxiety.

Masking can lead to a referral bias in favour of males.

Mirroring is when a person observes and impersonates another person’s behaviour to gain social acceptance and connect with others. It can be a type of masking since it conceals ADHD behaviours and replaces them with more socially acceptable alternatives.

Masking involves incredible efforts to disguise the symptoms, which can be exhausting and leave people drained of energy.

To reduce the effect of unhelpful masking behaviours, it is essential to receive a diagnosis and treatment for ADHD, honour ADHD strengths, and identify and change the masking behaviours that may make life more difficult.