Do you ever feel like you have to ‘mask’ to seem responsible or normal?

This is a classic ADHD masking experience. Masking happens when you constantly monitor yourself to prevent mistakes, interruptions, forgetfulness, or appearing scattered. It looks like overchecking, rehearsing, suppressing impulses, and managing impressions all day. Clinically, this is exhausting because it requires sustained self control without rest. Managing masking without burnout means being selective. You do not need to unmask everywhere. Start by reducing it in low risk spaces. Build external supports so masking is less necessary. The goal is not authenticity at all costs, but lowering the constant effort of appearing regulated when you are not.