ADHD Experts Podcast 556- Understanding AuDHD Burnout: How Neurodivergent Masking Sparks Stress, Exhaustion
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May 27, 2025 
Amy Marschall, a licensed psychologist and neurodiversity advocate, dives into the complexities of AuDHD burnout and the pressures of masking in neurodivergent individuals. She explains how masking leads to significant stress and exhaustion, differentiating it from depression. Amy shares key strategies for identifying burnout warning signs and recovering from them. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of acceptance, self-advocacy, and finding supportive environments for neurodivergent families, fostering understanding within the community.
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Masking’s Exhausting Impact
- Masking involves hiding authentic neurodivergent traits to fit neurotypical societal norms.
- This constant suppression is exhausting and harms self-esteem, causing stress and burnout.
Be Safe to Enable Unmasking
- Only invite someone to unmask if you genuinely accept their unmasked self.
- Being a safe person and avoiding rejection is crucial to encourage unmasking.
Complex ADHD and Autism Overlap
- Autism and ADHD overlap significantly, with many autistic individuals also having ADHD.
- Traits can be contradictory and complex, such as craving both novelty and sameness simultaneously.