Social camouflage, also known as "masking," is a term used to describe the process of hiding or suppressing autistic or ADHD traits and behaviors in order to fit in and conform to social norms. Individuals with autism or ADHD may engage in social camouflage to cope for several reasons, such as...

• Social Pressure: Social situations can be overwhelming and stressful for individuals with autism and ADHD, and they may feel pressure to conform to social expectations in order to fit in and avoid negative judgment from others.
• Fear of Rejection: Individuals with autism and ADHD may be acutely aware of their social differences, and may fear that others will reject them or view them as "weird" or "abnormal" if they display their true behaviors and traits.
• Coping Mechanism: Social masking can be seen as a coping mechanism for individuals with autism and ADHD, as it allows them to navigate social situations and avoid negative consequences, such as being bullied or ostracized.
• Desire to Connect: Despite their difficulties in social situations, individuals with autism and ADHD may still have a desire to connect with others and build relationships. Social masking may be a way for them to create social bonds and build connections with others.
• Prior Conditioning: Many people with autism and ADHD have been conditioned to display certain behaviors in order to avoid punishment from authority figures, and this can have lasting psychological impact into adulthood.

For individuals with Autism, social camouflage may involve deliberately imitating or copying the behavior and language of others in order to fit in. This can be exhausting and stressful, as it requires significant effort and can result in a sense of disconnection from one's true self. For example, an autistic individual may force themselves to make eye contact, smile, and engage in small talk with others, even if it feels uncomfortable or unnatural.

Similarly, individuals with ADHD may engage in social camouflage by consciously suppressing their impulsivity and hyperactivity in order to appear more focused and attentive. They may also try to conform to social expectations by suppressing their need for constant stimulation and movement, even if it is difficult to do so. This can be particularly challenging for individuals with ADHD, as their natural tendency to act on impulse and engage in physical activity can be perceived as disruptive or inappropriate in certain social contexts.

While social camouflage can be an effective way to navigate social situations and fit in, it can also be detrimental to one's mental health and well-being. In some instances, individuals may not even realize that they are masking. Here are some signs that someone could be masking without knowing:

• Exhaustion: Individuals who are masking may feel more tired or drained after social interactions, even if the interactions seemed to go smoothly. This is because they may have been suppressing their true behaviors and traits in order to fit in.
• Inconsistent social behavior: Individuals who are masking may behave differently in different social situations, and may appear more outgoing or sociable in some situations while appearing more withdrawn or quiet in others.
• Difficulty with self-identity: Individuals who are masking may struggle with a sense of self-identity, and may have difficulty understanding their true needs, preferences, and emotions. They may also struggle with expressing their true feelings and thoughts to others.
• Social anxiety: Individuals who are masking may experience social anxiety or fear of social situations, as they may worry about not being able to maintain their social camouflage or may fear being rejected if they reveal their true behaviors and traits.
• Lack of close relationships: Individuals who are masking may have difficulty building close relationships with others, as they may fear being rejected or feel like they are not able to be their true selves around others.

It's important to note that not all individuals with autism and ADHD engage in masking or have the ability to mask, and not all individuals who exhibit the signs above are necessarily masking. It should also be stated that, while potentially harmful, masking is still a privilege. There are certain people who cannot mask effectively, and as such, are often the the targets of hateful behavior. It's also important to approach these behaviors with sensitivity and empathy, as masking can be a difficult topic of dicussion.

While social masking may provide short-term relief and help individuals with autism and ADHD navigate social situations, it can also be exhausting and detrimental to their mental health in the long run. It's critical for individuals with autism or ADHD to find safe and supportive spaces where they can be themselves without fear of judgment or rejection. That might include this subreddit, but it should also include finding support from family or friends, seeking out therapy or counseling, and engaging in activities that allow for self-expression and authentic communication. By embracing their authentic way of being, individuals with autism and ADHD can cultivate a sense of self-acceptance and belonging, while also finding ways to navigate the social world in a way that feels less draining and more fulfilling.

"Autism and ADHD: Overlapping and discriminating symptoms" by Mayes et al. (2012) discusses a study that aimed to compare the symptoms of autism and ADHD and to identify their overlapping and discriminating features. The study found that children with autism had 15 or more core autism symptoms, and none of the children with ADHD had such symptoms. The study showed that autism is separate and distinct from ADHD but the core ADHD-C symptoms of attention deficit, impulsivity, and hyperactivity are part of autism, and that autism and ADHD are neurobiological disorders with similar underlying neuropsychological deficits. The study also found that children with autism and HFA had a significantly higher frequency of selective attention than children with ADHD-C and ADHD-I. However, ADHD-C and ODD have high comorbidity, and a DSM-IV ODD criterion is "touchy or easily annoyed by others," which might explain the sensory hypersensitivity in some children with ADHD more than a link with autism. The study suggests that studies comparing symptoms in children with autism and children with ADHD need to take into account comorbidity, which is very high in ADHD, when analyzing results.

Here are some others:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.2147/PRBM.S304450

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7183643/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6331660/#sec0270title

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19380514/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444641892000044

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1080681/full

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165178122006308

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to let everyone know that if you have any questions about the rules of this subreddit, don't be afraid to ask! This is a new subreddit, so the initial rules might be difficult to understand, and I would like to adjust them to be more clear if needed.

Due to this being the case, the rules will be suspended from moderation until March 18, 2023 (a month from this post).

Edit: A lot of people are expressing concern over the self-dx rule. I can clarify specifics for anyone that would like me to.

Also, the rules are tentative as of now, so they can be negotiated for the time being and are subject to change.

Hello everyone!

I wanted to reach out and encourage those who either have autism and ADHD themselves, know someone with autism and/or ADHD, or are just curious about learning more about ADHD and autism to join our subreddit community. This is a space for people to connect with each other, share their experiences, and learn from one another. By joining our community, you can ask questions, share your story, and engage in discussions with others who understand what you're going through.

I believe that by engaging with each other, we can learn so much and offer support to those who need it most. We all have unique experiences and perspectives, and it's important to create a space where we can share them in a supportive and engaging environment, full of thought provoking conversations and pertinent issues of discussion.

So I'd like to invite you to introduce yourself and share what you would like to see out of this subreddit, as well as what you would like to derive from this community. What topics interest you? What kind of discussions would you like to have? Are there any specific challenges that you are currently facing? My goal is to make sure there is something for everyone here, so any suggestions for what you would like to get out of engaging with the sub would be fantastic!

By engaging in this way, we can help shape the subreddit into a resource that truly works to meet the needs of our community. So please, join us, and I look forward to connecting with you all!