I'm Busy Being Awesome - Sustainable Productivity for ADHD Episode 161: What is ADHD Masking?
Aug 22, 2022
This podcast explores the concept of ADHD masking, discussing why individuals with ADHD feel the need to mask their symptoms and how to identify and remove the mask. It emphasizes the importance of embracing one's true self and provides strategies for supporting ADHD individuals in releasing their masking tendencies and finding community.
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Belonging Drives Masking Behavior
- Humans crave belonging, so ADHD people mask to avoid exclusion and shame.
- Socialization and linking worth to productivity intensify the pressure to conform.
Personal Masking Through Academia
- Paula describes years of masking after a late ADHD diagnosis and how it became a safety net.
- Masking helped her fit in but ultimately felt unsafe and exhausting.
Common Signs Of Masking
- Masking appears in many behaviors: blame-shifting, lists-for-lists, perfectionism, early arrivals, and emotional suppression.
- Recognizing specific signs helps identify where you hide ADHD traits.