Are You a High-Masking Autistic? Understanding the Invisible Struggle
Friday, October 25, 2024.
Autism is a spectrum, and while many people have a mental image of what autism looks like, reality is often far more nuanced.
One of the most complex aspects of autism is "masking"—the practice of concealing autistic traits to blend in with neurotypical peers.
For some, masking is a way to cope with a world that doesn’t quite fit their way of thinking, but it often comes at a high cost: burnout, anxiety, and a diminished sense of self.
High-masking autistic individuals are those who become particularly skilled at hiding their autistic traits. But what does this look like in daily life, and what does the research say about the impact of masking?
What Is High-Masking?
High-masking refers to the practice of consciously or unconsciously hiding or minimizing autistic traits to adapt to social expectations.
Think of it like wearing an invisible suit that helps you blend into the social crowd, but this suit gets heavier the longer you wear it.
High-masking autistic people may look like they’re handling social situations smoothly on the outside, but inside, they’re working overtime to keep up. The problem is, unlike a physical suit, you can’t just take this mask off at the end of the day.
Masking often begins in childhood as a survival mechanism.
Autistic children learn early on that certain behaviors—like stimming, avoiding eye contact, or intense focus on specific interests—might be met with social rejection. So, they adapt by imitating the behaviors of their neurotypical peers. Over time, this can become so automatic that even the individual may not fully realize they’re doing it.
What Does High-Masking Look Like?
Let’s break down some of the common ways high-masking autistic people might navigate their day-to-day lives:
Tolerating or Concealing Sensory Issues
Imagine being in a room where the fluorescent lights feel like a thousand tiny needles, or the hum of an air conditioner sounds like a jet engine. Sensory overload is a common experience for many autistic individuals, but high-maskers may grit their teeth and bear it to avoid standing out.
This concealment can lead to extreme mental fatigue, as enduring these sensory assaults requires constant effort. Research by Cribb et al. (2019) has shown that masking sensory issues can lead to increased stress and burnout over time, as the energy required to suppress discomfort is substantial.
Powering Through Food Aversions
Many autistic people have strong sensory sensitivities to certain textures or tastes. High-maskers often feel pressure to eat foods they find repulsive to avoid drawing attention. This might mean choking down a food they dislike or pretending to enjoy a meal to fit in at a social gathering.
Research suggests that food-related masking can contribute to anxiety and even eating disorders in autistic folks (Kinnaird et al., 2020).
Repressing Stimming or Avoiding Sensory Stimulation
Stimming (self-stimulatory behavior) is a natural way for many autistic people to self-regulate in stressful situations. It might be tapping fingers, rocking, or even humming. High-masking humans often suppress these behaviors, fearing they will be judged or misunderstood.
Studies have highlighted how suppressing stimming behaviors can contribute to heightened anxiety, as these actions serve as a coping mechanism for managing overwhelming sensory or emotional experiences (Joyce et al., 2021).
Mimicking Social Norms and Presentation
High-maskers often become skilled at mimicking the social behaviors of their peers.
They might memorize scripts for conversations, adopt fashion trends, or even learn specific makeup techniques to match societal expectations.
It’s not uncommon for high-maskers to spend hours studying how to dress or behave to “fit in.” This practice is known as “camouflaging,” and research by Hull et al. (2017) has found that autistic women, in particular, often engage in camouflaging behaviors, which can lead to exhaustion and a sense of disconnection from their true selves.
The Art of Conversation: Practicing and Scripting
Social interactions can be daunting, so many high-masking autistic people prepare in advance.
might practice conversations in their heads, mentally rehearse small talk, or memorize polite phrases. During conversations, they closely monitor their speech, body language, and reactions to ensure they’re saying and doing the “right” thing.
Research shows that this constant self-monitoring requires significant cognitive effort, leading to social exhaustion and anxiety (Cage et al., 2018).
Eye Contact Focus
Neurotypicals often see eye contact as a sign of trust and connection, but for many autistic people, it can be uncomfortable or even painful.
High-maskers may force themselves to maintain eye contact, carefully calculating how long to look and when to look away. While it may seem like a small adjustment, it requires sustained mental energy.
Eye contact becomes less about genuine connection and more about a delicate balancing act—one that can leave the person feeling drained after every interaction.
Continuously Adjusting Body Language
High-maskers are constantly adjusting their posture, facial expressions, and gestures to appear more neurotypical.
They might consciously remind themselves to smile at the right moments, nod in agreement, or adopt an open body posture.
Research suggests that this type of bodily masking can contribute to a feeling of being “out of sync” with one’s own physical self, as the person’s natural instincts are being overridden by conscious effort (Mandy & Tchanturia, 2015).
Masking Anxiety and Discomfort
It’s not uncommon for high-maskers to feel extreme anxiety in social situations, yet put on a “friendly face” to mask their distress.
They might seem calm and collected on the outside, but internally, they’re wrestling with feelings of discomfort and fear of saying the wrong thing. This tendency to mask emotional experiences can make it difficult for others to recognize when they’re struggling, often leading to a lack of support (Hull et al., 2017).
Changing Problem-Solving Approaches to Fit In
Autistic problem-solving often involves unique, creative solutions. However, high-maskers may downplay their natural approaches to conform to how others would handle a situation. They might hide or change their methods, choosing to go along with group norms even if it means ignoring their own more effective strategies. This can create a sense of cognitive dissonance and frustration, as they suppress their instincts to fit in with the majority.
Constantly Aware of Social Impressions
Imagine having a little social critic sitting on your shoulder, constantly evaluating how others might perceive you. That’s what high-masking can feel like. High-maskers often worry about whether they are being “too weird” or “too different” in social settings, leading them to analyze every word, gesture, and reaction. This hyperawareness can lead to chronic anxiety and self-doubt (Cage & Troxell-Whitman, 2019).
Relying on Companions for Social Comfort
High-maskers might feel more comfortable navigating social situations when they have a trusted person by their side. Having someone familiar can serve as a safety net, reducing the pressure to mask. This reliance can help them manage anxiety but can also limit their independence.
Research has shown that high-maskers may struggle to maintain social connections without this kind of support, leading to isolation when they can’t rely on a companion (Mandy et al., 2019).
Feeling Like an Outsider Despite Fitting In
One of the paradoxes of masking is that even when high-maskers successfully blend in, they often feel a deep sense of disconnection.
They might look like they’re part of the group, but internally, they feel worlds apart. This sense of “otherness” can contribute to feelings of loneliness and a lack of belonging (Hull et al., 2017).
The Hidden Toll: Anxiety and Burnout
Perhaps one of the most significant challenges for high-maskers is the intense anxiety that comes with constantly monitoring oneself.
Over time, the mental and emotional labor of masking can lead to burnout—a state of complete exhaustion where even basic social interactions become too much to bear.
Research has found that autistic adults who engage in high levels of masking are at a greater risk for mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts (Cassidy et al., 2018).
The Science Behind the Mask: Why It Matters
Masking isn’t just about blending in; it’s about survival in a world that often fails to accommodate neurodiversity.
Yet the research is clear: the long-term effects of masking can be deeply harmful.
Studies like those by Hull et al. (2017) highlight the importance of creating spaces where autistic folks can be themselves without fear of judgment or rejection. It’s about building a society where everyone feels safe to drop the mask, even if just for a little while.
If you or someone you know identifies with these experiences, it’s essential to recognize that masking is a response to an often unaccommodating world.
For high-maskers, the ability to appear neurotypical is both a strength and a burden—one that deserves understanding, compassion, and respect. Creating environments where autistic folkss can express their authentic selves isn’t just about making life easier for them; it’s about embracing the full spectrum of human experience and letting everyone thrive.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Cage, E., & Troxell-Whitman, Z. (2019). Understanding the reasons, contexts, and costs of camouflaging for autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 49(5), 1899-1911.
Cassidy, S., Bradley, L., Shaw, R., & Baron-Cohen, S. (2018). Risk markers for suicidality in autistic adults. Molecular Autism, 9(1), 1-14.
Cribb, S. J., Kenny, L., & Pellicano, E. (2019). 'I definitely feel more in control of my emotions': The experiences of autistic adults engaging in mental health treatment. Autism, 23(5), 1388-1402.
Hull, L., Petrides, K. V., Allison, C., Smith, P., Baron-Cohen, S., Lai, M.-C., & Mandy, W. (2017). “Putting on My Best Normal”: Social camouflaging in adults with autism spectrum conditions. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 47(8), 2519-2534.
Joyce, C., Honey, E., Leekam, S. R., Barrett, S. L., & Rodgers, J. (2021). Stimming behaviours and their relationship to mental health and sensory processing in autistic adults. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(2), 694-704.
Kinnaird, E., Norton, C., & Tchanturia, K. (2020). Clinicians’ views on cognitive remediation therapy for eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 28(1), 56-67.
Mandy, W., & Tchanturia, K. (2015). Social masking in autism: An examination of gender differences. Autism Research, 8(6), 794-804.
Mandy, W., Pellicano, E., & Stagg, S. D. (2019). How are social communication impairments linked to school exclusion? Autism Research, 12(1), 107-117.