Masking as an adult women

[elanaoali]

I was very struck by some of the contends in another post. The post was written by a woman who said she has been been masking for years. She looks like a real get-together woman.

I look like a very organised person with a wall planner and family organiser. I have reminders on my phone and in its calendar. I try to be a perfectionist you know how that works!

Now I must stop hyper focusing on adhd pages otherwise the afternoon will be gone. Bye for now.

[Gettingittogether]

Loved your ending and humor.

[daverussell]

I'm don't have a diagnosis for ADHD (self-diagnosed some might say), but I can totally relate to this.

[Rocky_1999 in reply to daverussell]

I have been diagnosed with ADHD by a professional who has known me and talked to me extensively approx ten years. I don't know you, but I know that some of the signs and symptoms of ADHD are also signs and symptoms of other conditions. If possible, get yourself diagnosed by a competent professional. If cost is an issue, check to see if there is a community mental health agency that can help with that.

[elanaoali in reply to Rocky_1999]

I am going to make an appointment with my GP first to get referred. My brother is waiting for an assessment to get diagnosed. Our sister's daughter has adhd so it seems we have a family thing going on. I can't afforded to go private. So I will waiting like everyone else.

[skyblue-111]

I can identify with that lady, as well. I'm 68, and I'm still masquerading as a well-functioning, "got it together" adult. It's all a front! LOL.

[Jozlynn]

I'm not sure who is being referenced, but this is a hot topic for me - to the point that I wrote a blog about it. Masking is EXHAUSTING, and I've been trying hard to learn how to be my authentic self without overwhelming those I talk to.

[elanaoali]

Oh I lnow how you feel. I can talk the hind leg off a donkey. Once I start talking l feel how animating I get.

[SilverbackG]

Yes! It is such an awful type of exhaustion; marinated in shame then flamer with pure self hatred

[ShoesGalore]

omg, yes, the masking is exhausting! Yeah, in my career I look successful, but my personal and home life are in shambles. Being able to juggle both seems like a pipe dream to me.

The Perfectionism, exertion and exhaustion that I incorrectly assumed was type A workaholism, I’m now realizing was/is adhd inattentive type running the show. The stressful and fast paced work environment, with constant deadlines helped light up my inattentive brain and gives me motivation to get up and out of bed. But it takes me longer to do everything and I stay late when everyone is gone, so I can finally concentrate and get work done without all the distractions.

But basically I end working longer and harder for the same money as everyone, essentially devaluing myself.

Yeah, it’s like I fail at home life “adulting” so I turn to work for an ego boost. And its all reeking havoc on my physical and mental health.

I hope meds can motivate me as much as the desperate need to succeed at a high stress job because what my life has been up until now is not sustainable. So glad to discover my adhd so I can learn to manage work and home life better.

[Betalatethnneva in reply to ShoesGalore]

god I feel seen by your comment. You could have been describing me x