In psychology and sociology, masking, also known as social camouflaging, is a defensive behavior in which an individual conceals their natural personality or behavior in response to social pressure, abuse, or harassment.
Masking, sometimes referred to as “camouflaging,” occurs when someone attempts to hide their mental health symptoms in an effort to blend in with people around them. They may copy other people’s demeanor or actions or engage in compensatory behaviors.
Masking is a way of representing yourself to be more like how others expect you to be. It’s a way of hiding yourself (or parts of yourself) that you don’t want to present to the world.
More people than ever are asking, “What is masking?” Learn why it happens, signs that you may be doing it, and how to safely approach unmasking.
What Is Masking? Why People Do It & Masking Signs to Know
Masking (sometimes referred to as camouflaging) involves suppressing or hiding one's behaviors or traits to appear a certain way. Emotional masking specifically refers to hiding or holding back on how one truly feels and presenting a different emotional state to the outside world.
Masking is when someone hides or suppresses their neurodivergent traits to blend in and meet what society sees as 'normal' behaviour. It's widely observed in people with neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism or ADHD.
Masking: What it is, signs, and how to stop doing it - Patient
Mental health masking is the act of concealing one’s true emotions and behaviors to fit in or avoid judgment. Many people, especially those with mental health issues or neurodevelopmental conditions like autism or ADHD, adopt this coping mechanism to avoid stigma and maintain relationships.