Masking Isn’t Coping: The Hidden Cost of ADHD Camouflaging

For decades, masking has been primarily discussed within autism research. However, emerging evidence suggests that adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) also engage in significant social camouflaging behaviors, often at considerable psychological and cognitive cost.

A 2026 study conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University found that 91.6% of surveyed adults with ADHD reported masking their ADHD traits in social situations, workplaces, public settings, and personal relationships (Klein et al., 2026). Participants described intentionally hiding, suppressing, or compensating for ADHD characteristics to meet social expectations and avoid stigma. While masking was often associated with greater social acceptance, participants also reported increased exhaustion, anxiety, depression, identity disturbance, and reduced cognitive functioning.

The findings contribute to a growing body of literature suggesting that masking may be a significant but underrecognized factor affecting the well-being of neurodivergent adults.

What Is ADHD Masking?

Masking, sometimes referred to as camouflaging, involves modifying or concealing behaviors, communication styles, emotional responses, or support needs to appear more neurotypical.

Examples may include:

• Rehearsing conversations before social interactions
• Suppressing fidgeting or self-regulatory behaviors
• Over-preparing for tasks to compensate for executive functioning challenges
• Monitoring facial expressions and tone of voice
• Hiding difficulties with attention, memory, or organization
• Engaging in chronic people-pleasing to avoid criticism or rejection

Although these strategies can improve social acceptance, researchers increasingly recognize that they often function as adaptive survival responses rather than indicators of psychological health.

Camouflaging Beyond Autism

Recent research challenges the assumption that camouflaging is unique to autism. Van der Putten and colleagues (2024) found that adults with ADHD also engage in significant camouflaging behaviors, although patterns may differ from those observed among autistic adults.

This distinction is important because ADHD masking has historically received far less research attention despite many adults reporting extensive efforts to conceal symptoms in educational, occupational, and social environments.

Researchers have also noted that anticipated stigma, discrimination, and social judgment may contribute to the development of masking behaviors among adults with ADHD (Adamou, 2026).

The Relationship Between Masking and Burnout

One of the most concerning findings emerging from neurodivergence research is the relationship between masking and burnout.

In the Simon Fraser University study, participants reported that the cognitive effort required to sustain masking often worsened attention, memory, concentration, and emotional regulation (Klein et al., 2026). Some individuals described requiring days of recovery following periods of intense camouflaging.

Research examining neurodivergent burnout has similarly identified chronic masking as a contributing factor to emotional exhaustion, reduced functioning, identity disruption, and decreased quality of life. While burnout has been studied most extensively in autistic populations, the mechanisms described by participants—including prolonged self-monitoring, suppression of needs, and social compensation—appear highly relevant to ADHD experiences as well.

Importantly, burnout is not simply stress or fatigue. It is increasingly understood as a state of profound depletion that develops when environmental demands consistently exceed available cognitive, emotional, and physiological resources.

Why Late Diagnosis Matters

Masking may also contribute to delayed recognition and diagnosis.

Individuals who successfully camouflage symptoms often appear outwardly competent despite experiencing significant internal struggles. This discrepancy can result in unmet support needs, misdiagnosis, or years of self-blame before receiving an explanation for their experiences.

Researchers have suggested that camouflaging may be particularly relevant for women and marginalized populations whose presentations frequently diverge from traditional diagnostic stereotypes. As a result, many adults reach diagnosis only after experiencing repeated cycles of burnout, anxiety, depression, or occupational difficulties.

Moving Beyond Awareness

The growing literature on ADHD masking raises an important question: What happens when coping becomes indistinguishable from performance?

Current evidence suggests that masking may provide short-term social benefits while creating long-term psychological costs. It may delay diagnosis, restrict access to support, increase emotional distress, and contribute to chronic burnout.

As awareness of neurodiversity continues to expand, researchers and clinicians are increasingly recognizing that outward functioning does not necessarily indicate internal well-being.

A person who appears to be coping may, in reality, be carrying an invisible cognitive and emotional workload that remains unseen by others.

Understanding masking is therefore not simply about identifying behaviors. It is about recognizing the hidden labor many neurodivergent adults perform every day in order to be understood, accepted, and accommodated.

References

Adamou, M. (2026). Camouflaging in ADHD: The need for construct validation before clinical adoption. The British Journal of Psychiatry.

Klein, J., Iarocci, G., & colleagues. (2026). Social camouflaging in adults with ADHD: Cognitive, mental health, and identity-related consequences. Research in Neurodiversity.

van der Putten, W. J., et al. (2024). Is camouflaging unique for autism? A comparison of camouflaging behaviors in autistic adults and adults with ADHD. Autism Research, 17(4), 760–772.

Wurth, P., et al. (2025). Diagnosis acceptance, masking, and perceived benefits among adults with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry.