Are you wearing a mask? And no, I don’t mean for Halloween when it can be fun to pretend to be someone else!
Masking is something that people with ADHD can do to hide the symptoms and behaviors related to ADHD in order to appear “normal” to other people. The word masking means to conceal, cover up or protect. The stigma attached to ADHD can make individuals feel like they don’t measure up!
Dr. Sharon Saline states in the article, Why ADHD Masking is a Form of Self Sabotage, “Masking is the painstaking effort put forth by ADDers to camouflage symptoms to conceal how ADHD impairs functioning.” It might look like staying after hours at work to catch up on the workload, or bringing home paperwork when your friends are out enjoying the weekend. We feel ashamed that certain tasks take us twice the time as other people we know. In short, we feel like imposters!
The sad upshot of masking is that we can be so busy covering up that we are not getting the help we need. Of course, the lack of reliable information out in the world regarding ADHD doesn’t exactly help. We know something is wrong, but may be unsure of the path forward.
Seek support from a provider who understands ADHD, who can guide you in moving forward. An ADHD coach can walk alongside you, providing skills and strategies that make a difference in daily living. Once you understand how your brain is wired, you can find creative solutions that work for you.
Connect to the ADHD community via advocacy organizations such as ADDA, CHADD or ADDitude magazine and consider attending an ADHD conference in person or online. Meeting others who live life with ADHD can be empowering.
The opposite of masking is vulnerability. Sharing our strengths and challenges with others makes us strong. You are not alone. You can take off the mask!
“Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.”
-Brené Brown
Schedule your complementary coaching session to take off the mask and start living your own life!
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