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What is Masking?

Masking is a complex phenomenon that involves hiding or suppressing one’s true self in order to meet social expectations (Kornblum, 2025). Furthermore, masking, also known as camouflaging or compensating, is the name given to the concealment of mental health symptoms in order to adapt to society and the environments in which an individual lives (Marschall, 2024). In this way, masking individuals try to appear as if they are not experiencing mental health symptoms, even though they know this is not true. On the other hand, masking is the observable discrepancy between underlying preferences and external behavior; it can be triggered by the desire to avoid judgment, rejection, and bullying, to make friends, to advance in one’s career, or to find a romantic partner. Masking behaviors can manifest both consciously and unconsciously. 

Masking is essentially a coping mechanism that allows individuals to navigate social environments that may feel uncomfortable or threatening. For many individuals, this process begins in childhood in response to social pressures and extends into adulthood. Masking becomes an ingrained habit over time. While it may appear to be protective in some circumstances, it is often a negative strategy for the well-being of the individual. Predictably, the effort to protect an unreal situation can lead to exhaustion, identity confusion, and a range of mental health problems (Kornblum, 2025). In this therapy sketch, we will explain how masking manifests itself, its effects on individuals, and provide a comprehensive understanding of masking.

What are the Three Types of Masking?

Masking manifests itself in three different forms, each of which helps individuals adapt to the social environment in which they live. These include social masking, behavioral masking, and emotional masking.

Social Masking: It involves imitating social cues and behaviors observed in others. In this form of masking, one may adopt facial expressions that do not match one’s inner feelings or use memorized phrases in conversations. For example:

  • Avoiding intimacy or close relationships
  • Forcing things like eye contact 
  • Minimizing the severity of symptoms (or pretending to be okay)

Behavioral Masking: Involves suppressing natural behaviors that may be perceived as unusual. Individuals may control their body movements in order to appear more “typical”. For example:

  • Pretending to be happy 
  • Overcompensating for problems or setbacks (e.g., perfectionism)

Emotional Masking: The emotional form of masking involves hiding true emotions in order to present a socially appropriate emotional response. In emotional masking, the individual may laugh at jokes they do not understand just to fit in, or they may suppress their emotional reactions. For example:

  • Humorizing (or making light) of a situation 
  • Lying or hiding truths about ourselves

Each form of masking requires considerable mental effort. Masking can make the individual feel disconnected from their identity and can complicate circumstances. Recognizing the different patterns of masking is the first step in overcoming the difficulties associated with masking (Kornblum, 2025). 

Why Do People Engage In Masking Behaviors?

People prefer to wear masks to protect themselves from the reactions that occur when they do not wear a mask, or to be accepted by other people. From time to time, the person may not even be aware that they are wearing a mask. Individuals tend to internalize the behavioral expectations communicated by the people around them from childhood. Children with neurodiversity or individuals with any mental health condition experience stress when they realize that they cannot meet these expectations as easily and naturally as many of their peers. This stress can lead them to mask their symptoms and behave in ways that are unnatural for them (Marschall, 2024). 

People might engage in masking behaviors for several reasons, including: 

  • Avoiding stigma, bullying, or harassment
  • Assimilating or fitting in with others
  • Presenting as desirable for friendships, romantic relationships, and employment opportunities
  • Avoiding intimacy or closeness with others
  • Feelings of shame or embarrassment
  • Not knowing other ways to manage symptoms

Who Tends to Mask?

People with a variety of mental health problems may tend to mask or hide behaviors that may expose them or cue others into their struggles. For example: 

  • People with autism may force socially acceptable behaviors as a way to assimilate with peers or avoid bullying. 
  • People with ADHD may overcompensate by over-preparing to appear less disorganized. 
  • People with anxiety, depression, or trauma may minimize their struggles or even make light of their situation.
  • People with low self-esteem may overcompensate by feigning confidence or overachieving. 

How Are Masking Behaviors Harmful? 

Though masking behaviors may be helpful, they can also be harmful to the people who engage in them. 

  • Masking behaviors can inhibit people from receiving the help or support they need.
  • Masking behaviors can impact people’s ability to establish meaningful connections or make long-lasting relationships. 
  • Masking behaviors can lead to constant fatigue, stress, or burnout due to people’s incessant need to ‘’perform.’’
  • Masking behaviors can exacerbate the severity of someone’s symptoms. 

Understanding and Managing Your Masking Behaviors

The first step to managing masking behaviors is self-awareness. Not everyone who engages in masking behaviors knows that they are masking; however, there are things that may cue you in:

  • Feeling overly exhausted or drained after social gatherings or events, 
  • Feeling overly exhausted after work
  • Hyper-fixating or monitoring your behaviors 
  • Mirroring the behaviors of others
  • Hiding things about yourself (like quirks or hobbies)
  • Keeping others at arm’s length
  • Making light of your situation or laughing at serious things 

The next step is to seek help. Meeting with a mental health or medical provider regarding your symptoms can be a great way to seek help. Depending on your issues, you may meet with a psychologist, therapist, or doctor (like a psychiatrist) to create a well-rounded treatment plan, which can include things:

  • Assessments 
  • Psychotherapy
  • Executive functioning training
  • Medication

Managing your masking behaviors also recognizes that 1) not all masking is harmful, and that 2) total elimination of masking may not always be achievable. As such, it’s crucial to set accessible goals or limits for yourself. 

  • Know why you are masking (e.g., survival vs shame)
  • Know when to mask or unmask (e.g., at work vs with close friends)
  • Practice intentional masking (over automatic masking)
  • Understand the signs of burnout
  • Give yourself grace and practice self-compassion

Takeaways:

  • Masking, which has social, behavioral and emotional dimensions, refers to hiding one’s true self in order to conform to societal expectations and, while initially adaptive, is associated with psychological distress, identity dissolution and emotional exhaustion in the long term.
  • Individuals engage in masking behaviors, often unconsciously, to protect themselves from stigma, to meet societal expectations and to gain social acceptance; individuals with neurodivergence and those with mental health problems are particularly vulnerable to psychologically coercive strategies.
  • Developing self-awareness of masking behaviors and seeking professional support are critical steps to reduce psychological distress and promote more authentic social interaction.

References

  1. Masking. (2024, February 2). Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/masking 
  2. Kornblum, A. (2025, February 10). Understanding Masking: The Hidden Struggle for Social Acceptance. Manhattan Psychology Group. https://manhattanpsychologygroup.com/MPG-blog/understanding-masking-the-hidden-struggle-for-social-acceptance/ 

While our physical offices are located in South Loop and Lakeview neighborhoods in Chicago, Illinois for in-person sessions, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more.  

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At Roamers Therapy, our psychotherapists are here to support you through anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship issues, race-ethnicity issues, LGBTQIA+ issues, ADHD, Autism, or any challenges you encounter. Our psychotherapists are trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Acceptance, and Commitment Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Gottman Therapy. 

Whether you’re seeking guidance on a specific issue or need help navigating difficult emotions, we’re ready to assist you every step of the way.

Contact us today to learn more about our services and schedule a session with our mental health professionals to begin your healing journey. To get started with therapy, visit our booking page.

First, decide if you’ll be paying out-of-pocket or using insurance. If you’re a self-pay client, you can book directly through the “Book Now” page or fill out the “Self-Pay/Out-of-network Inquiry Form.” If you’re using insurance, fill out the “Insurance Verification Form” to receive details about your costs and availability. Please let us know your preferred therapist. If your preferred therapist isn’t available, you can join the waitlist by emailing us. Once your appointment is confirmed, you’ll receive intake documents to complete before your first session.

This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health related definitions that are written by our therapists.

While our offices are currently located at the South Loop neighborhood of Downtown Chicago, Illinois, we also welcome and serve clients for online therapy from anywhere in Illinois and Washington, D.C. Clients from the Chicagoland area may choose in-office or online therapy and usually commute from surrounding areas such as River North, West Loop, Gold Coast, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Logan Square, Pilsen, Bridgeport, Little Village, Bronzeville, South Shore, Hyde Park, Back of the Yards, Wicker Park, Bucktown and many more. You can visit our contact page to access detailed information on our office location.