The invisible performance of ‘masking’ ADHD symptoms is exhausting
The Conversation
Masking ADHD symptoms, a common strategy to fit into social norms, is mentally exhausting and leads to significant psychological distress, including burnout, anxiety, and identity confusion. Most adults with ADHD engage in this constant self-monitoring in various settings, even when alone, to avoid judgment and achieve acceptance. This effort, while aimed at emotional safety, can be more debilitating than the symptoms themselves.
All articles from 29 September 2026. Summaries are AI-generated and may contain errors; the linked article is the authority.