Guide to Revealing Autism's True Identity and Living Truthfully
In the world of autism, a strategy known as "autism masking" or "camouflaging" is commonly used by many individuals to navigate social situations. This coping mechanism involves intentionally or unintentionally suppressing natural autistic traits and behaviors, while adopting neurotypical social norms and communication styles [1].
While masking can provide temporary relief in social interactions, it often comes with significant consequences. These include exhaustion, burnout, mental health challenges like anxiety and depression, and identity issues [2][3][4]. The long-term effects of autism masking on mental health and identity formation are profound, often culminating in burnout, depression, and a loss of authentic self-connection [1][2][3][4][5].
One of the most severe consequences of prolonged masking is autistic burnout, a state of physical, emotional, and cognitive exhaustion characterised by reduced ability to mask, increased sensory sensitivity, emotional shutdown, and withdrawal [5]. Additionally, masking can lead to depression and anxiety due to chronic stress of hiding one’s true self and feeling socially isolated or misunderstood [1][2][3][4].
Moreover, masking can cause identity confusion, as many autistic individuals report feeling disconnected from their true selves after long-term masking, making it difficult to know or accept their authentic identity, which complicates the process of unmasking [1][4]. This can also delay diagnosis and support, as masking can make autism less visible to others [1][2][3].
Furthermore, masking to fit social norms can expose individuals to exploitation or abuse since they prioritise others’ expectations over their own boundaries or comfort [4]. Common signs of chronic masking include difficulty relaxing in social situations, reliance on social scripts, feeling exhausted after socialising, and living a "double life" of public "high functioning" and private emotional shutdown [3].
Addressing these effects requires promoting societal acceptance, trauma-informed support, and encouraging self-acceptance to reduce the need for masking and improve well-being [1][4]. Setting boundaries is a crucial step in unmasking autism, allowing you to honour your authentic needs and reduce the pressure to conform to neurotypical expectations. Examples of boundaries you might set include limiting social interactions, communicating preferred communication methods, declining physical touch or hugs when uncomfortable, setting clear start and end times for gatherings, expressing dietary needs or restrictions, requesting dimmed lights or quieter environments, and communicating the need for alone time [6].
If you are in a social situation and you want to drop your masking behaviours, it might be helpful to explain to others what you are doing and why [6]. Unmasking, or embracing one’s autistic identity, can offer numerous benefits including improved mental health and well-being, greater autism awareness and acceptance, and promoting a more diverse and inclusive society that values neurodiversity [7]. Try unmasking experiments such as identifying masking behaviours, setting small goals for unmasking, reflecting on what happened, and gradually increasing unmasking behaviours in different settings and with more people [7].
References:
[1] Hull, L. (2019). The Masking Effect: Autism and the Hidden Struggle for Identity. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
[2] Mandy, W. (2018). The Burnout Guidebook: Recovering from High Functioning Autistic Burnout. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
[3] White, S. (2013). Undressing the Spider Woman: A Personal Journey through Autism. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
[4] Tetteh, V. (2017). Autism and Me: Navigating a Neurotypical World. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
[5] Hull, L. (2018). The Autistic Burnout: What You Need to Know About Hitting Rock Bottom and How to Come Back. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
[6] Grandin, T. (2006). Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships: Teaching the Hidden Skills of Social Life. Future Horizons.
[7] Hull, L. (2020). The Autistic Advantage: Unexpected Opportunities for Learning, Growth, and Fulfillment. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- The use of autism masking or camouflaging in navigating social situations may provide temporary relief, but it can lead to mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, exhaustion, and burnout.
- In the long-term, masking can profoundly impact mental health and identity formation, often culminating in burnout, depression, and a loss of authentic self-connection.
- Autistic burnout is a serious consequence of prolonged masking, characterized by reduced ability to mask, increased sensory sensitivity, emotional shutdown, and withdrawal.
- Masking can cause chronic stress due to hiding one’s true self and feeling socially isolated or misunderstood, leading to depression and anxiety.
- Identity issues can arise from long-term masking, making it difficult to know or accept one’s authentic identity, complicating the process of unmasking and potentially delaying diagnosis and support.
- Masking to fit social norms can expose individuals to exploitation or abuse, as they prioritize others’ expectations over their own boundaries or comfort.
- Signs of chronic masking include difficulty relaxing in social situations, reliance on social scripts, feeling exhausted after socializing, and living a "double life" of public "high functioning" and private emotional shutdown.
- To address these effects, societal acceptance, trauma-informed support, and self-acceptance are essential to reduce the need for masking and improve well-being.
- Setting boundaries is a crucial step in unmasking autism, allowing you to honour your authentic needs and reduce the pressure to conform to neurotypical expectations.
- In social situations, explaining to others what you are doing and why can help with dropping masking behaviors.
- Embracing one’s autistic identity can offer numerous benefits, including improved mental health and well-being, greater autism awareness and acceptance, and promoting a more diverse and inclusive society that values neurodiversity.
- Unmasking experiments, such as identifying masking behaviors, setting small goals for unmasking, and gradually increasing unmasking behaviors in different settings and with more people, can be helpful in this process.
- Understanding and addressing the effects of masking requires proper education and self-development in the realm of mental health, health-and-wellness, mental-health, and personal-growth, as well as in science, psychology, and society.
- Supporting individuals with autism means fostering an environment that values mental health, learning, communication, development, identity, emotions, behavior, personality, relationships, values, and human behavior, enabling them to lead fulfilling lives in adulthood.
