Although the concept of masking/camouflaging has been discussed since the end of the last century (e.g. by Lorna Wing in 1981), much of the research is still relatively new and we have a lot to learn! This video is definitely not an exhaustive list of the types of masking. These are just a few categories that really resonated with me and also seem to fit many anecdotes I've heard from the community.
If you're masking another type of neurodivergence, these may apply to you too, but I only have the personal experience of masking as an autistic person. I've also been reading and researching autistic masking specifically. I don't know how much of this would apply to other groups.
🐌 I have a new Patreon community! You can get 2 exclusive videos a month, access to the Discord server, and more 🐌:
https://www.patreon.com/imautisticnowwhat
💛WATCH NEXT💛:
Reacting to Fake Disorder Cringe: https://youtu.be/Ms7NOHAZ-Vk
The Best Theory of Autism you've probably NEVER heard of...: https://youtu.be/3mBbOOzhoGQ
My Autistic Burnout Story: https://youtu.be/zHZuzwl6r3c
But what does Masking feel like from the Inside?: https://youtu.be/H4vcMWB7fuQ
Taking the CAT-Q (masking questionnaire): https://youtu.be/-RgYyi6SgWg
Taking the CAT-Q with my Husband: https://youtu.be/kLqpaeRNMvs
📒 Helpful Resources 📒:
Monotropism & Wellbeing: https://monotropism.org/wellbeing/
Preventing Burnout: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/autistic-burnout
*Autism and Masking: How and Why People Do It, and the Impact It Can Have byby Felicity Sedgewick, Laura Hull, Helen Ellis: https://amzn.to/3tj7shz
📹 My Videos mentioned 📹:
Reacting to Fake Disorder Cringe: https://youtu.be/Ms7NOHAZ-Vk
Monotropism: https://youtu.be/3mBbOOzhoGQ
Taking the Monotropism Questionnaire: https://youtu.be/D_8xGTFLfdo
📒 Sources 📒:
Paraplegic is not okay: https://www.diversitystyleguide.com/glossary/paraplegiaparaplegic/
DSM V: https://www.tricare-west.com/content/dam/hnfs/tw/prov/resources/pdf/forms/dsm-5-diagnostic-checklist.pdf
*Autism and Masking: How and Why People Do It, and the Impact It Can Have byby Felicity Sedgewick, Laura Hull, Helen Ellis: https://amzn.to/3tj7shz
Selective Mutism: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/selective-mutism/#:~:text=Selective%20mutism%20is%20an%20anxiety,untreated%2C%20can%20persist%20into%20adulthood.
When the mask comes off: Mothers' experiences of parenting a daughter with autism spectrum condition: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32338537/
Self-reported camouflaging behaviours used by autistic adults during everyday social interactions: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8814950/
*How to Win Friends and Influence people (lol): https://amzn.to/481NOWi
Autism from the Inside: https://www.youtube.com/@autismfromtheInside
What does cutting my dreadlocks have to do with Aspergers?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZ7YJloKdsM&t=100s
The True Cost Of Autistic Masking (Damaging Effects Of Unconscious Masking): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPSJzT7agl8&t=46s
Masking: is it
good or bad? Embrace Autism: https://embrace-autism.com/masking-is-it-good-or-bad/
What misdiagnoses do women with autism spectrum disorder receive in the DSM-5: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cns-spectrums/article/what-misdiagnoses-do-women-with-autism-spectrum-disorder-receive-in-the-dsm5/37409014E08A16D93FF0DB95675E9EED
BPD Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/borderline-personality-disorder-bpd/about-bpd/
Monotropism & Wellbeing (monotropic split): https://monotropism.org/wellbeing/
Risk markers for suicidality in autistic adults: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13229-018-0226-4
Preventing Burnout: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/autistic-burnout
Embrace Autism Compensation: https://embrace-autism.com/autism-and-camouflaging/
Camouflaging in autism: A systematic review: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272735821001239
00:00 Masking isn't real?
02:14 Are you quite stoic or withdrawn?
07:32 Do you people please?
15:15 Is socialising intuitive for you?
16:25 The most exhausting mask
23:14 Masking & wellbeing
24:15 How does masking feel from the inside?
📖 *Books I'd Recommend about Autism 📖 :
Different not Less by Chloe Hayden (read if you want to cry):
https://amzn.to/40fKx2m
Unmasking Autism by Devon Price:
https://amzn.to/3LhMV3j
*These are affiliate links. The channel will receive a small commission if you buy anything on Amazon after clicking through with this link. There's no extra cost to you; any money will go towards putting out more content. I'd love to post twice a week and put more time into research for these videos. Thank you so much - I really appreciate every like and comment!
DISCLAIMER: I am a second-year psychology student and a late-diagnosed #actuallyautistic individual. I am not a qualified healthcare professional.