Do you hide your ADHD symptoms from others? Let's talk about 'Masking' (ADHD Masking)

Have you ever tried to hide your true nature in order to be 'like everyone else' or 'normal' in society? We've all done that at least once in our lives. But if you have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), this is called 'masking'. Simply put, it's hiding your true nature and trying to present a different face to society.

What exactly is ADHD 'Masking'?

ADHD causes some people to be hyperactive or impulsive. Others have difficulty paying attention. Some adults may have both.

So 'masking' means you try to hide these symptoms at home, at work, or when you're with friends. While this may have some benefits, experts say it also has more serious disadvantages than you might think. Let's take a closer look at it.

Are there any advantages to hiding symptoms this way?

Yes, sometimes this 'masking' helps you find your own unique strategies that help you live with ADHD . It's like building your own 'toolbox'. Things like this are really positive.

Think about it this way...

• Because you have trouble remembering things, you get used to writing everything down in a book . This is a good thing.
• Since you talk a lot and interrupt others, you try to control it by talking less and listening more . And you try to repeat what the other person said in your head.
• Because it's hard to keep your home or office organized, you start looking for organization tips and following them.

These are really useful things. But 'Masking' can sometimes be both helpful and harmful. It completely depends on what you're doing.

But there is also a dangerous downside to this.

'Ma Skin g' means prioritizing your social image. That is, how others see you. But doing this comes at the cost of sacrificing other valuable things in your life. And for this, you have to pay a heavy price.

Think about these examples. Maybe you're familiar with them too.

• At work: You can't get work done as quickly as other people in the office, so you stay up late, sometimes bringing work home. But you don't get paid for these extra hours. And this is valuable time you could be spending with your family, exercising , or just relaxing.
• In social life: You never invite a friend over because it's hard to keep your house tidy. After a while, your friends might get angry with you. If you suddenly invite someone over, you'll stay up until 3am the next morning, tidying up the house and bringing them home in a 'presentable' way.

When you do things like this for a long time, it has a big impact on your life.

If you keep going like this, you can end up with ' burnout ' , a state of complete mental and physical exhaustion. At the same time, you start to neglect other important things like paying taxes, going to the doctor, and doing household chores.

The most dangerous thing about this is that this excessive stress increases your risk of developing other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression .

So what do you do about this 'Masking'?

If you feel that this 'masking' is having a major impact on your life, the best thing to do is to see a mental health counselor who can help you manage your ADHD condition.

Choose the right person

It's important to choose someone who is knowledgeable about ADHD. You can ask the doctor, "How much experience do you have treating adults with ADHD?" You can also ask how treating ADHD is different from treating depression.

Be aware of this yourself.

Learn about other ways to manage your ADHD without relying on 'masking'. Below are some tips that can help you do this.

• Be aware of when you're 'masking': This has become so habitual that you may not even realize you're doing it. But try to be aware of it. Ask yourself, "Why am I doing this? Am I trying to avoid embarrassment? Or am I trying to escape the fact that I have ADHD?"
• Take control of this: You may have been wearing the mask out of habit for so long. From now on, consciously decide when to put it on and when to take it off.
• Give others time to get used to your 'real you': If you suddenly take off your 'mask' everywhere, some people may be surprised by your behavior. You may even be rejected. So, decide with whom and how slowly you will show your true nature.
• Surround yourself with people who accept you: Spending time with friends, family, and others who accept you for who you are will be a great source of strength.

Can 'Masking' Start Before a Doctor Says It's ADHD?

Yes, it can happen. Some people, even before they receive a diagnosis, realize they are 'different' from others and begin to hide those differences in order to fit in with society.

Others are unconsciously 'masking'. That is, they don't know they are different, but they simply copy the behavior of others. In times like these, you are imitating what you think is the way people should be.

Therefore, if you feel like you have the symptoms mentioned in this article, it is very important to know how to accurately diagnose adult ADHD and to see your doctor and get the help you need.

ADHD, Adult ADHD, ADHD Masking, Mental Health, Attention Deficit Disorder, Stress, Depression