266 Breaking Free from Masking: ADHD and Authenticity in Relationships
I Have ADHD Podcast
Kristen Carder
4.8 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 4 June 2024
⏱️ 45 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this episode, we’ll explore what masking is, how it impacts our relationships and self-perception, and why it’s so crucial to create spaces where we can be our authentic selves.
For those of us with ADHD, masking often means hiding or downplaying our symptoms to fit societal norms or meet others’ expectations. This behavior is frequently learned from caregivers who, sometimes with the best intentions, teach us to conform. But while masking might help us navigate certain social situations, it comes with a significant emotional toll.
In this episode, we discuss how masking can strain our relationships and warp our self-perception. When we’re constantly trying to fit into a mold that wasn’t designed for us, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and exhaustion. I share some personal experiences and stories from our community about the struggles and triumphs related to masking.
One of the key takeaways from this discussion is the importance of creating safe spaces where we can be our true selves. Whether it’s setting boundaries, practicing self-acceptance, or educating those around us, there are steps we can take to reduce the need for masking. I also introduce an adult ADHD masking measure that you can use for self-reflection to better understand your own masking behaviors.
Masking is a challenging but essential topic, and I hope this discussion helps you on your journey toward self-acceptance and authenticity. Remember, it’s okay to be yourself, and you deserve relationships that honor and support who you truly are.
Links used in today's episode:
ADD.org
Medical News Today
Behavioral Health Consulting Solutions (info about the Masking Measure)
Masking Measure Questionnaire
Come hang out with me on Instagram HERE.
Watch on YouTube!
AG1 by Athletic Greens
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Welcome to the I have ADHD podcast where it's all about education, encouragement and |
| 0:11.2 | coaching for adults with ADHD. |
| 0:13.5 | I'm your host Kristen Carter and I have ADHD. |
| 0:17.5 | Let's chat about the frustrations, humor, and challenges |
| 0:21.1 | of adulting, relationships, working, and achieving with this neurodevelopmental disorder. |
| 0:27.0 | I'll help you understand your unique brain, unlock your potential, and move from point A to point B. |
| 0:34.0 | Hey what's up? This is Kristen Carter and you are listening to the I have |
| 0:41.3 | ADHD podcast. |
| 0:43.1 | I am medicated, I am regulated, and I am so ready to roll. |
| 0:50.0 | How are you? |
| 0:50.9 | Happy June. |
| 0:53.1 | My gosh, it is finally here. |
| 0:55.6 | Warm weather, sunny skies, birds chirping, animals frolicing. And I am just so happy. I am so glad to be with you today and I hope that you are outside. If you're not outside go outside get some sunshine. Don't forget that nature is a thing and maybe I can be your body |
| 1:15.9 | double with you as you take a walk or a hike or a bike rider whatever it is that you do. |
| 1:20.8 | In the out of doors I'm just so glad to be here with you today and I'm so glad that you |
| 1:26.4 | press play on this podcast. I don't know if it's weird to you when I say this but |
| 1:31.0 | I mean it from the bottom of my heart. I know there are so many other |
| 1:34.2 | podcasts out there and you press play on this one, on this one with me? Thank you! That's so nice. I'm so so glad. So we're going to talk today about |
| 1:46.4 | masking and I was just reflecting, you know, it's been five years of |
| 1:51.7 | podcasting and I've never done an episode on masking which is shocking to me |
| 1:55.7 | It's so weird and fun that there are still things that I haven't done episodes on in five years we've got like 260 something episodes and yet here we are again in a brand new topic that really does need to be discussed so we're going to get into it today. It's going to be lovely. |
| 2:14.8 | I want to first let you know though that in July I'm going to be teaching a course on relationships. Oh my gosh I'm so excited. I love talking |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Kristen Carder, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Kristen Carder and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.