As ADHD awareness grows, experts emphasise the often unseen challenge of masking, which can hinder diagnosis and impact wellbeing, prompting calls for better understanding and support.
Public awareness of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder has grown sharply in recent years, but one of its less visible features remains poorly understood: masking. Ahead of ADHD Awareness Month in October, experts speaking to The Irish News said the behaviour can shape how people with ADHD present themselves in daily life, often in ways that are hard to spot and harder still to sustain.
ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects attention, energy levels and impulse control, according to the NHS. Dr Ahmed Shoka, a consultant psychiatrist at Medical Express Clinic on Harley Street, said it can influence relationships at home and in wider society. Dr Chetna Kang, a consultant psychiatrist at Central Health London, described masking as a learned pattern of behaviour used to blend in, reduce stigma or compensate for difficulties. Some people do this deliberately, while for others it becomes an unconscious habit formed early in childhood.
The outward signs can be subtle. Kang said one person might only tidy their home when guests are expected after being repeatedly criticised for mess, while another may force eye contact or use listening cues in conversation even when they are struggling to follow what is being said. Other examples seen in reporting on the issue include over-preparing for tasks, putting in excessive hours at work or otherwise trying to create the appearance of calm competence. In each case, the aim is often the same: to hide difficulties that might otherwise be noticed.
The cost, however, can be significant. Kang warned that living behind a mask can leave people asking where they are allowed to be themselves, relax or feel accepted, and that this pressure can feed anxiety. She also said masking can contribute to burnout, particularly when people push themselves to compensate for perceived shortcomings in work or study. Medical News Today and Simply Psychology have both noted that such behaviours may also contribute to underdiagnosis or a delayed diagnosis, because the person appears to be coping when they are not.
Experts say unpicking masking is often a gradual process. Kang said it helps to identify what is driving the behaviour , whether it is fear of judgement, anxiety or a wish to avoid criticism , and to weigh the emotional cost of continuing. When ADHD is recognised and treated properly, Shoka said the results can be striking, while Kang said treatment can help people develop what she called a new normal, one in which the layers of concealment begin to fall away. That process may be uncomfortable, but the reporting suggests it can also be deeply relieving for both patients and clinicians.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
