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@actuallyautistic #actuallyautistic #autistic #autisticMasking
I got permission from the author to bring this amazing comic about masking here.
If you like their work and want to help them you can become a Patron:
https://www.patreon.com/c/autiebiographical
Or check out their shop:
https://www.autiebiographical.com/category/all-products
And I got their book (Xmas gift)!
![There's a reason autistic people can experience burnout due to masking.
[Image description: Honeydew explains masking to a friend. The comic is titled "Masking Job" and is made by Theresa Scovil.
Panel 1:
A friend happily asks Honeydew "Could you explain masking to me? I want to have a better understanding."
Honeydew smiles.
Panel 2:
Honeydew says "Sure. Have you ever worked in retail?"
The friend looks confused as they say "Yeah?"
Panel 3:
Honeydew says "Masking is like being in perpetual customer service mode."
Panel 4:
Honeydew continues. "You have to modify your behaviour to placate everyone around you to avoid reprimand."
Panel 5:
Honeydew goes on. "You also have to endure when you're uncomfortable. Any respite is often frowned upon."
Panel 6:
Honeydew finishes off by saying "Masking is like being an unpaid retail worker."
The friend looks shocked as they say "Oh. Oh god."]](https://cdn.masto.host/paquitamastohost/media_attachments/files/113/826/186/772/553/493/original/84304ad0a567f4b5.jpg "There's a reason autistic people can experience burnout due to masking.
[Image description: Honeydew explains masking to a friend. The comic is titled \"Masking Job\" and is made by Theresa Scovil.
Panel 1:
A friend happily asks Honeydew \"Could you explain masking to me? I want to have a better understanding.\"
Honeydew smiles.
Panel 2:
Honeydew says \"Sure. Have you ever worked in retail?\"
The friend looks confused as they say \"Yeah?\"
Panel 3:
Honeydew says \"Masking is like being in perpetual customer service mode.\"
Panel 4:
Honeydew continues. \"You have to modify your behaviour to placate everyone around you to avoid reprimand.\"
Panel 5:
Honeydew goes on. \"You also have to endure when you're uncomfortable. Any respite is often frowned upon.\"
Panel 6:
Honeydew finishes off by saying \"Masking is like being an unpaid retail worker.\"
The friend looks shocked as they say \"Oh. Oh god.\"]")
@Cattz @actuallyautistic Hmm, so, is masking exclusive to autism? Coz I do this all the time (or try to), but to hide my chronic depression. No-one likes someone who has depression. Fastest way to lose friends as someone who is chronically depressed: show your real self.
@gmc @Cattz @actuallyautistic Masking is not exclusive to autism, no. In fact, no autistic trait is exclusive to autism, just as no autistic trait is experienced by all autistic people.
Autism is when you have a lot of autistic traits, have them intensely, and there is no other clear explanation.
@gmc No, it's not exclusive. Many other neurodivergencies and, like in your case, other neurological conditions are affected, too. Everyone whose behaviour, why ever, differs from an expected "normal".
Often it is far less conscious than the comic suggests at first glance, because most neurodivergent people were conditioned into this as kids, and later - especially when not or late diagnosed - don't even know they do it until the workload drives them into a burn out.
@svenscholz @gmc @Cattz @actuallyautistic I STILL don't know all the ways I mask, even 15 years after finding out I'm Autistic.
@Cattz @actuallyautistic Yeah, but I am on the spectrum and I mask all the time when I am out where other folks are. Covid is still dangerous.