What Is ADHD Masking and How Can It Be Managed?

Have you ever hidden a trait or a quality of yours that makes you different from others and you might have thought that people may judge you or not accept you for not behaving properly? Have you ever had thoughts where you question your behavioural patterns and change them to feel accepted? Well, this is what masking is all about. 

Masking camouflaging or impression management is a conscious or an unconscious pattern of behaviour in which a person tries to hide away their true quality and personality or try to compensate for their symptoms. Societal norms are usually based on keeping in mind neurotypical people and their behavioural patterns. They often exclude the natural and most comfortable behavioural patterns that are exhibited by neurodivergent people, such as people with ADHD.

Read More: ADHD: Diagnosis, Types and Treatment

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention deficit, hyperactivity disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects children and their activities of daily living. Children exhibit impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention as the most common symptoms of the disorder. Some other symptoms may include:

• Having trouble concentrating, being careless
• Racing thoughts, daydreaming, and unable to listen to commands
• External stimuli can distract easily
• Inability to sit in one place, constant need to move here and there
• Fidgeting hands or feet
• Always on the go and talking too much
• Unable to wait for their turn, always in a hurry
• Impatient behaviour
• Can lead to risky behaviour because of impulsivity.

Symptoms of ADHD vary from person to person and so is the severity of the disorder. Many people try to hide their true nature and symptoms, and they try to mask or camouflage it, to feel belong or are “normal”. This is what is known as ADHD masking, coined by psychologist Russell Barkley.

Read More: How ADHD can Impact your Relationship and How you can (still) Work it out

‘Masking’ ADHD

ADHD masking or ADHD camouflaging happens when someone with attention, deceit, or hyperactivity disorder, tries to cover up their symptoms, or they try to copy someone who doesn’t have ADHD, to fit in socially or to avoid stigma associated with the disorder. Masking here represents people suppressing their traits, like over-focusing when someone is speaking, forcing oneself to sit in one place, responding to commands, even when you feel racing thoughts, et cetera.

One has to understand that masking does not mean faking to be someone else, but it is a form of defence mechanism where people try to hide away, in response to what is considered normal in society. Masking ADHD can be a result of childhood and parenting, where children are punished for symptoms associated with ADHD, which can even lead to delayed diagnosis. Due to their behaviours, many people with ADHD violate social norms and risk embarrassment and ridicule. They thus use coping mechanisms to downplay elements of themselves.

Read More: Understanding ADHD in Women: Symptoms and Recognition

Signs and Examples of Masking ADHD

ADHD masking can take up many forms, and recognising the symptoms at an early stage, as a parent for a child or an adult as well, can help with understanding and intervention better.

• Using words, very mindfully, making sure one is not speaking too much, being careful with body language so as to not interrupt any other individual
• Coming up with excuses or exaggerated stories in some situations, for why a person is late or distracted
• Overly focusing on the other person when they are speaking, to not seem distracted or intensive
• Bottling up emotions and not showing any emotions or, appearing ‘fine’, leads to emotional outbursts later in life.
• Hiding hyperactivity through sitting in one place, even though there are racing thoughts and scenarios going on in the mind
• Following commands or instructions in the utmost detail, to fit in and feel accepted.
• Constantly writing down or making notes of stuff to not forget later
• Setting up too many alarms, sticking to a strict routine to avoid making mistakes and being impulsive
• Being too early or too late to events or situations and finding it hard to relax.

These are some of the signs and symptoms of masking ADHD. Early identification is important as intervention plans from a professional can be set accordingly and an individual can find adjusting to life much easier after that.

Managing the ‘Mask’

Acknowledging one’s masking methods can be a complicated and overwhelming task. With the help of family, friends, and mental health specialists, a person can consider how and why they mask. They could also discover the most effective strategy to manage their symptoms in a healthy and stress-free manner. Below are some tips to get started:

• Acknowledging and understanding your signs and symptoms of masking, ADHD, one might feel overwhelmed and confused in the beginning, but acceptance is the key here.
• Recognising what behavioural patterns are useful and what are causing harm in activities of daily living. 
• Finding different channels or methods to release emotions instead of bottling or hiding up, talking to a coach or a therapist so a person can learn catharsis from a release stage
• Seeking support from friends, family, and other people who may be going through similar situations
• Understanding that you are not alone here. One can also join Support groups or indulge in group therapy sessions to feel more comfortable.

Read More: The Hidden Struggles of Adult ADHD

ADHD masking is an approach to coping that feels easy in present time but does nothing to help you cope with what really needs to be addressed within yourself. Understanding the manner in which cope, recognising when your behaviour becomes excessive, and adopting new stress-management strategies might help you start living life more completely.