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The Conversation
Grace Iarocci, Professor, Psychology, Simon Fraser University

The invisible performance of ‘masking’ ADHD symptoms is exhausting

The sustained effort of masking leads to measurable psychological distress for many people with ADHD. The consequences may include chronic exhaustion (burnout), increased anxiety and identity confusion. (Unsplash)

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often discussed in terms of visible traits: fidgeting, distractibility, forgetfulness or restlessness. But those are just the traits we can see.

ADHD is a complex developmental condition rooted in the brain’s motivational, attention and executive-function systems. And much of what looks like “disruptive behaviour” from the outside is often evidence of profound, ongoing internal struggle.

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