Masking in Social Settings Can Lead to Burnout, Experts Say

Many people hide or suppress natural thoughts, feelings and behaviors to fit social expectations, a practice clinicians call "masking," and the effort can lead to significant burnout, experts say.

Licensed clinical psychologist Tiffany Hodges, chief science officer of ABA Centers, said masking occurs in everyday settings — from bars with coworkers to family reunions — and is not limited to people on the autism spectrum. "Sometimes this comes from wanting to fit in, to not be judged by others, or because a past experience didn’t go well," Hodges said. "The usual goal of masking is acceptance, but it can be difficult to tell if someone is masking since the whole goal is to ‘appear normal.’"

Hodges said masking is often associated with autistic and neurodivergent individuals who may camouflage behaviors such as avoiding eye contact or intensely focusing on specific topics. She added that anyone can mask in social situations and that the behavior frequently begins in childhood, when children learn to follow social rules like making eye contact or sitting still.

Because the aim of masking is to blend in, it can be hard for observers to recognize. People who are masking may present behaviors that align with traditional social norms rather than those that reflect how they naturally feel or think. Hodges described examples including hiding tendencies to hyperfocus on certain subjects or suppressing atypical nonverbal cues.

Clinicians and advocates have increasingly highlighted masking as a mental-health concern because sustained suppression of authentic behavior can be mentally and emotionally taxing. Experts link prolonged masking to exhaustion, increased anxiety and strains on identity, and say it can contribute to what is commonly described as burnout.

The social contexts that prompt masking vary. Some people report masking at work or in professional settings where evaluations are at stake. Others say masking occurs among acquaintances or extended family when individuals perceive social rules or expectations as strict. Hodges noted that past negative experiences can reinforce the habit, prompting people to continue masking even when they later find themselves in more accepting environments.

Recognition of masking has grown alongside broader public discussions of neurodiversity and mental health. Clinicians say greater awareness can help individuals and families identify when masking may be contributing to distress, and encourage conversations with mental-health professionals who can assess coping strategies and supports.

Hodges emphasized that because masking is often learned early, dismantling the pattern can take time and conscious effort. She urged observers to consider that behavior which appears "normal" on the surface may mask significant internal labor.

As clinicians and advocates continue to discuss masking, they note it intersects with workplace policies, educational settings and family dynamics. Increased training and accommodations in these areas aim to reduce the pressure to conform to narrow social norms and to support people who experience fatigue or distress related to masking.

Understanding when and why masking occurs, experts say, is a first step toward addressing its effects. Identifying the social triggers and creating environments that reduce the perceived need to hide natural behaviors are among the approaches clinicians describe as important for preventing the kind of sustained strain that leads to burnout.