“I wish I could just be myself”: Experiences of social camouflaging in adults with ADHD

Objective This study extends Hull et al. (2017) by exploring social camouflaging in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Camouflaging typically refers to behaviours used to hide or mask one’s autistic traits in social situations. Given that individuals with ADHD also experience social difficulties and stigma, they may engage in camouflaging behaviours to conceal ADHD traits. However, no research to date has systematically explored the experience of social camouflaging in adults with ADHD. Method Participants were 202 adults with ADHD (mean age=29.20, SD=10.83; 143 women, 33 men, 25 gender diverse, 1 undisclosed) who responded to questions exploring the motivations, strategies, and consequences of camouflaging ADHD traits. Data was thematically analyzed. Results The majority (91.6%) of participants reported camouflaging ADHD. Thematic analysis identified that the motivations for camouflaging were to fit in with others, to be liked, to avoid adverse experiences, and to survive in a neurotypical society. Strategies included hiding and pretending, suppression, and compensation. Consequences included the facilitation of social interactions and outcomes, controlling perceptions, identity disturbance, exhaustion, mental health problems, reduced closeness and connection with others, interference with important cognitive functions, and the perpetuation of unrealistic expectations and ADHD stigma. Conclusions Social camouflaging appears to be a transdiagnostic phenomenon observed across autism and ADHD. Camouflaging in adult ADHD functions to fulfill social and safety needs at the detriment of other important psychological, relational, cognitive, and systemic outcomes. Findings offer novel insights into the lived experiences of adults with ADHD and underscore the social and clinical considerations of camouflaging ADHD traits.