Scientists talked about the dangers of hiding ADHD symptoms for mental health
Attempts by adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to hide the symptoms of their disorder for the sake of social adaptation lead to exhaustion, anxiety, and depression, and in the long run worsen the symptoms of ADHD themselves. This was reported on June 8 in the journal Medical Xpress.
202 adults diagnosed with ADHD participated in the survey. More than 91% of them admitted that they disguise the symptoms of the disorder to some extent in order to fit into the social environment. By masking, researchers understand a whole arsenal of strategies: a person pretends to listen attentively, suppresses the desire to move, rehearses conversations in advance, or excessively prepares for meetings.
"Camouflage strategies can help you get where you need to go—into relationships, work, and society—but they often leave people feeling drained, disconnected from their own selves, and less connected to others," said Marisa Mylett, lead author of the study.
According to the results of the study, masking requires significant cognitive effort and additionally loads precisely those brain functions that are already weakened in ADHD — attention, memory and concentration. As a result, many participants reported exhaustion after intense periods of masking: some needed several days to recover.
Other consequences include impostor syndrome, a sense of inauthenticity, and identity uncertainty. Many experienced a persistent feeling that they were "not who they claimed to be." The authors of the study emphasize that masking is not a sign of a distorted perception of reality, but a rational response to real social expectations.
"We need to understand how difficult their daily lives are and how much cognitive effort they put into their daily lives to help them find healthy ways to cope," said Grace Jarocci, the study's lead researcher.
According to her, giving up masking is a long process that requires time and support: these strategies are deeply rooted in experiences formed since childhood. The authors insist on the need to reduce the social stigmatization of neurodifferences as the main condition for change.
On May 6, Medical Xpress reported on the relationship between daily movement and emotional state. According to the study, more than 95% of participants felt a surge of energy after physical activity.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
