MASKING- In psychology and sociology, masking is the process in which an individual camouflages their natural personality or behavior to conform to social pressures, abuse, or harassment.
Autistic masking refers to the suppression of autistic or neurodivergent traits such as repetitive behaviors and imitations of neurotypical traits and behaviors to pass within society. Higher levels of masking or camouflaging are generally associated with more severe mental health difficulties (e.g. anxiety, depression, suicide risks), which is a major focus of neurodiversity research.
BURNOUT is a state of complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion.
• Turn to other people for support: friends, colleagues, or community groups
• Reframe the way you look at work or your home life by finding value, meaning and balance
• Reevaluate your priorities by taking time off or regular breaks during the day
• Nourishing your creativity by doing something interesting
• Make physical activity a priority to boost your mood and energy
• Support your body with a healthy diet and quality sleep.
I read once ago that autism is more prevalent to females than males. This can be backed up by the increasing numbers of women having autism than men. Women, form an integral part of life since its through them that life comes into this world. Women in general have some attributes that make them adapt different to men. For starters, women are thought to be emotional or better way to put it to be too much in touch with their emotions. Hence they tend to feel more, attach more and even hurt more. While it varies how they tend to deal with life situations,some resort to telling a loved one, sibling, friend ,a spouse it's clear to see that they opt mostly to share what they're going through. But what happens when they don't have the go to people?
You'll find that's where they're women who opt to bottle up their emotions or what they're going through. And though it's possible to handle it on your own, at times it can be overwhelming. With autism, when one bottles it all up it can come up as depression with time, anxiety and frustrations. That's why the word masking comes in play. It's a mechanism of locking it all in and not showing it in a bid to not be seen us not able to cope. It helps one adapt or think that they're adapting into different situations as most times people don't want to be seen us unable to fit into places.
With autism it becomes a little tricky that's why one opts to mask. Because for one not everyone has gotten to know what Autism is on so when an Autistic person gets into the picture they might feel that and shun away from the group. That's why with Autism month of awareness as we speaking on Autism, hopefully it sheds light on the pressure one goes through to fit in and how it impacts an Autistic person. Hopefully if and when we do get to understand Autism, they'll be less and less need to mask as one would be able to live through it without having to hide any parts of themselves .
Masking
I have to learnt to camouflage the pain
It's still there it's just that you can't see
Cause I smile even when I'm irritated
It's only at the end of the smile that you'll notice
You'll notice that it doesn't spread wide on my face
For the otheriside is frowning most times
Especially when I'm going through something
And I'd not want to much attention on me
I have learnt to camouflage the pain
In between the laughs we share
For I want to left alone
Cause now I feel crowded by you
That's why you see me drifting further
Cause I was already stiring in my thoughts
Then you came and messed it all up
Now I'm stiring even more
I have learnt to deflect questions asking about me
For I have no straight answer to say
Cause how can I tell you I'm good while I know I'm sad
How can I paint you the picture while I don't see it clearly
Cause if I were to just put it out
I feel like screaming at times
And just locking myself out
And would you understand my outburst
Or I just want to be alone at times
Without you having to worry if I'm okay
Cause though this alot for me
I've found ways to get myself of it,
all I need is you to trust me
The PO£T