I can focus in public but not at home — is that masking?

This pattern is very common in ADHD. Public spaces provide external structure, subtle social pressure, and fewer personal distractions. That environment can temporarily replace internal regulation. At home, where there are fewer cues and more freedom, the brain has to self direct, which is much harder. This is not really masking in the traditional sense. It is more about context. Your brain is responding to stimulation and accountability. Many people interpret this as laziness at home, but it is actually a predictable neurobiological response. Changing the home environment to mimic external structure can help bridge that gap.