For ADHD women, life often feels like a balancing act between two different personalities. During the day, there’s a “public” self that strives to fit into societal norms, masking behaviors like impulsivity or inattentiveness to meet professional and social expectations. At night, though, the “private” self emerges, releasing built-up tension …
Kristen McCLure MSW LCSW 
ADHD Masking vs. Autistic Masking in Women: Understanding the Differences, Similarities, and Impacts
ADHD Masking vs. Autistic Masking in Women Introduction: What Does Masking Really Mean? If you’ve ever felt like you had to hide parts of yourself to fit in or keep up with others, you’re not alone. This is what many neurodivergent people call “masking.” It’s a way of adapting …
How ADHD Impacts Women’s Friendships: Breaking the Cycle of Shame and Masking
5 Reasons ADHD Women Mask in Friendships (and How to Unmask) By Kristen McClure, MSW LCSW | October 10, 2024 #ADHD #Friendships #Masking Introduction: Why Masking Shows Up in Friendships Friendships can be a beautiful part of life, but if you’re an ADHD woman, they can also feel complicated. Even …
ADHD Masking in Women: Signs, Causes, and the Hidden Cost
You look like you have it together. You meet expectations. You show up. You get things done. But underneath that, there’s constant effort — tracking, remembering, managing, holding everything in place so nothing slips. And most of the time, no one sees how hard it actually is. This is often …
High-Masking ADHD in Women: When No One Can See the Struggle
From the outside, you look fine. More than fine — capable, reliable, even high-achieving. You meet expectations. You follow through. You hold everything together. But underneath that, there’s constant effort — tracking, remembering, anticipating, managing. And because it’s working, no one sees what it takes. This is one …