“I Don't Have a Personality; I Mimic People": Understanding Camouflaging and Masking
**Content Warning: If you're not in a good state of mind, please refrain from reading further. Take care of yourself first. This article delves into sensitive topics, including self-harm and suicide, which may be distressing to some readers, especially those who are neurodivergent.
Introduction
Camouflaging, the practice of masking one's true self, transcends neurodiversity, impacting individuals of all neurotypes in social settings. However, neurodivergent individuals often camouflage more intensely due to societal misunderstandings and lack of acceptance towards autism and neurodiversity. This continuous effort can be emotionally draining and detrimental to their mental well-being and identity.
Key Findings from Research [1, 2, 3]
A systematic review of literature on camouflaging behaviour in neurodivergent adults reveals significant insights:
1. Gender Differences:
a. Camouflaging is notably more prevalent among autistic cis-females than cis-males.
b. Females report heightened autistic traits and demonstrate increased camouflaging behaviours.
c. Motivations for camouflaging differ by gender; females often do so for practical purposes such as work or education, whereas males tend to camouflage for social comfort.
2. Cognitive and Neuroanatomical Correlates
a. Studies show no significant links between camouflaging and IQ, executive function, or theory of mind.
b. Autistic females who camouflage extensively exhibit heightened emotional expressivity and sensitivity to social cues.
c. Neurologically, these females show increased activation in the ventromedial prefrontal region during self-representation tasks and reduced volumes in the medial temporal and cerebellar regions.
3. Motivations for Camouflaging - common motivations include accessing social opportunities, making friends, gaining acceptance, ensuring safety, and fostering resilience.
4. Impact on Mental Health - camouflaging correlates with increased psychological distress, anxiety, depression, and functional difficulties. It is associated with a higher risk of feeling disconnected, suicidal tendencies, exhaustion, and feelings of isolation or deceit.
The Psychological Perspective on Masking and Authenticity
Modern psychology challenges the notion of a singular "true self," suggesting instead that individuals possess multiple authentic selves adapted to various social contexts. This perspective does not imply inauthenticity but underscores our ability to navigate complex social environments by adjusting our behaviour. Neuroscience supports this view, highlighting distinct brain region activations in different social situations, showcasing our capacity for role adaptation crucial for thriving in diverse settings.
The Consequences of Masking
While adapting behaviour is natural, masking refers to concealing one's genuine personality or behaviour to conform to societal pressures, often stemming from experiences like abuse or harassment. This suppression can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, identity erosion, and mental health challenges such as stress, burnout, and suicidal tendencies, particularly among autistic individuals. In work environments, masking may lead to dissonance, job dissatisfaction, exhaustion, and health issues.
Masking and Camouflaging in Neurodivergent Individuals
Neurodivergent individuals often feel compelled to mask or camouflage their natural behaviours and traits to meet societal expectations and avoid negative consequences like rejection or bullying. This perpetual suppression of their true selves can result in identity loss and difficulty in understanding their genuine nature.
"I don't have a personality; I mimic people."
Masking demands considerable mental energy and can lead to burnout, depression, and a fragmented sense of self.
Negative Experiences and Low Self-Esteem
Frequent negative experiences such as bullying, social exclusion, and rejection reinforce the belief of inherent inadequacy in neurodivergent individuals. These experiences, coupled with comparisons to neurotypical peers, can lead to low self-esteem and a negative self-image deeply ingrained over time.
"If you are told each and every day by your peers, your teachers, and your family that you are stupid, you learn pretty quickly that you are stupid."
Lack of Self-Understanding
Many neurodivergent individuals struggle to comprehend their unique traits, interests, and intrinsic nature. They may feel like "blank slates" or "chameleons" without a solid grasp of their own identity, making it challenging to cultivate self-acceptance and self-awareness.
Masking and Psychosexual Development
Masking significantly influences psychosexual development, particularly in neurodivergent individuals, extending into sexual identity and expression. Neurodivergent individuals may conceal their sexual preferences, orientations, or behaviours to conform to societal norms or avoid negative reactions, leading to internal conflict and confusion. This suppression can delay the exploration and acceptance of their sexual identity, contributing to a fragmented self-concept and difficulties in forming intimate relationships. At JKL Therapy Centre, we recognise the importance of addressing these aspects, aiding individuals in understanding and embracing their authentic psychosexual identity within a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
The Importance of Embracing the True Self
Embracing one's authentic self is crucial for psychological well-being, forming genuine connections, and achieving personal fulfilment.
Breaking free from masking involves:
Challenging negative self-talk and critical thoughts regarding self-worth.
Identifying emotions, triggers, and genuine interests when in solitude.
Cultivating self-acceptance within supportive environments.
Gradually revealing one's authentic self to trusted individuals.
Finding a balance between adapting to social expectations and maintaining authenticity without fear of repercussions is essential. Developing a positive autistic identity and embracing one's multifaceted self is pivotal for well-being and self-realization. This journey necessitates self-acceptance, supportive surroundings, and a shift in societal attitudes towards neurodiversity.
At JKL Therapy Centre, we specialise in therapies that explore the authentic self and promote authenticity. Our approach focuses on discovering and enhancing your positive inner self, facilitating the cultivation of a strong, genuine identity. Our supportive environment encourages self-discovery and personal growth, equipping you to navigate social contexts with confidence and authenticity.
Bibliography & References
Alaghband-Rad J, Hajikarim-Hamedani A, Motamed M. Camouflage and masking behavior in adult autism. Front Psychiatry. 2023 Mar 16;14:1108110. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1108110. PMID: 37009119; PMCID: PMC10060524.
Parish-Morris J, Liberman MY, Cieri C, et al. Linguistic camouflage in girls with autism spectrum disorder. Molecular Autism. 2017;8:48. doi:10.1186/s13229-017-0164-6.
Corbett BA, Schwartzman JM, Libsack EJ, et al. Camouflaging in autism: examining sex-based and compensatory models in social cognition and communication. Autism Res. 2021 Jan;14(1):127-142. doi: 10.1002/aur.2440. Epub 2020 Nov 21. PMID: 33220170; PMCID: PMC7986572.
