Try to imagine you feel like you have to go through life 'acting' like you are someone that you are not ! Over time, this could have a huge impact on someones sense of self, lower self esteem, and sometimes people may not even remember what their 'real' self is like. This is extremely damaging to  persons state of mental health, and if left unsupported with no help, some people lose all hope with devastating outcomes.

 

Undiagnosed people, may not know their behaviours are Autistic, they just feel they are different. They often have difficulty with social interaction and communication, or may have unusual reptitive behaviours, they try to cover up that behaviour so others don't notice. Children and adults with mild Autistic symptoms, are able to develop skills to 'mask' or 'camouflage' what they see in themselves as a difference, a feeling of not 'fitting in'. It is a way to cope in the everyday world.

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Example of masking/camouflaging may include, forcing a smile or eye contact, using social scripts of acceptable behaviour, mimicing successfully social people, suppress stimming (repetitive) movements, avoiding talking about yourself.

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Feelings that arise from 'acting' a different persona to who you truely are can lead to: internalising problems, shutting people out, withdrawing socially to re-set your energy, feeling like you are a 'liar' or being 'inauthentic. People can become so overwhelmed that they isolate themselves to try to avoid what they feel is an uncomfortable situation.

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Maintaining a 'mask' is exhausing and can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, lack of own identity, depression, forced isolation, loneliness, embarrassment and shame.

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It is so important to identify 'masking/camouflaging' behaviour and seek help to identify your issues, to or come to a diagnosis if that is applicable, as continuation of these inauthenic strategies, can have dire consequences.

Lives can be lost.