08/08/2023
💜
We talk a lot about Masking and Unmasking.
Masking is when we hide our neurodivergent traits. We might change the way we communicate, our behaviour, our interests, our personality- to suit the people we are with.
It’s sort of living a pretend life.
And we pay for it with our mental health and wellbeing.
I’m done with the mask.
Here are some examples of what unmasking might look like.
This is not an exhaustive list, and not every AuDHD person will choose to unmask in these ways. Unmasking is not straightforward.
Also, for many people, unmasking may not be/feel safe.
Often, unmasking is a privilege.
If and when we do unmask, it can suddenly seem like we have become ‘more autistic’. That might be a shock to some people, especially if they have known us a long time.
It’s important to know that we are exactly the same as we have always been- but now we have stopped repressing all our authentic traits. We are starting to figure out who we are underneath.
If Unmasking is something you are trying to work on, start small. Do some partial unmasking, in small, safe situations. See how you feel.
While we talk about Masking costing mental energy, it’s important to recognise that unmasking can do the same. Because it’s new, it can be really stressful, and it takes planning.
It gets easier.
Em ❤️🌈🌻
AuDHD SLP
