@alosaurolophus: autistic masking is physically harmful on a cellular level. #myadhdlife #neurodivergent #autism #tiktokcounselor #normalizeneurodiversity

helena_chalupa :

I just knew my mitochondria were not powerhousing my cells like they could.

ren :

please not my mitochondria!!! they're the powerhouse of the cell 😭😔

Patches :

Every time I feel like a failure, a burden, and like I’m just “being dramatic” because I can’t work, especially in the public eye, I’m reminded just how much of a disability autism is, and that I’m not being dramatic. That it genuinely hurts me and I’m allowed to express that I’m hurting

Obscura Strange 🥀📚 :

Well this makes a lot of sense, I developed a neuroimmune condition called M.E. (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) following severe autistic burnout, and one of the key parts of the condition is mitochondrial dysfunction.

Sisse :

I have stopped masking. It is very difficult, I am very flustered sometimes and I am very disliked where I used to be the one everyone ADORED... but, on the flip side... I am starting to slowly sleep better. for the first time in my 39 year long life. And I take that as a win.

ktdid80 :

As a late diagnosed AuDHD female, who has masked her whole life, how do we train ourselves to stop masking?

Savy French :

could this be some people's chronic illness like I feel like im breaking down on a cellular level and doctors dont understand

Eclectic⚡Aesthetic :

I've felt exhausted my entire life. No one has ever been able to tell me why. I got diagnosed and treated for a whole ass rare lung disease and hoped that would make a difference. nope. this is so validating

Skwerlicious :

I think that's why we all have EDS and POTS. 😭 Last few years I have started breaking the mask cycle.

FluentOctopus4💋🖤 :

Oh this is why I get ill every time I start a new job. Not just panic attacks. Full on sick.

Major :

fionacamac :

I’m just so tired 😭

Tim :

It’s affecting the mitochondria. The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell. This is why I have no energy.

Leah Bee :

For the comments, this is not a research study. It's a hypothesis/theory article. Basically it just argues that masking is a form of poorly regulated stress and we know that stress can cause bad effects on neuroinflammation and cells. Interesting line of thinking but did not actually test the finding. This type of hypothesis (connecting cellular processes with human internal experiences) is very difficult to test.

Ari Price :

I take antihistamines to calm down and sleep every night so I hope that helps

Darcy :

This seems like it could be linked to the high comorbidities of autoimmune/other common things like POTS, hypermobility, fibromyalgia etc., amongst neurodivergent individuals...

maddie :

I genuinely don’t know how to stop. Like it feels impossible

I.am.source :

I’m trying my hardest to refrain from masking, it’s some kind of impossible challenge but I’m trying anyway

Michelle Coffman, LMT :

this is why I have been tired as long as I can remember

Knova🌙 :

I’m autistic and have MCAS, hEDS, MECFS. We need more studies on these commorbidities

Adonis 🥀 :

I feel SO VALIDATED. when I get overwhelmed from masking its not just an emotional response, I feel actual physical pain. So much pain that I have to excuse myself from wherever I am so I can calm down. Im so happy this is a real thing and im not crazy 😭🥹

Mary :

Existing hurts 🥲

sac8098 :

any specific info on connection to autoimmune diseases? thanks, I share so much of your stuff with my community!

Oola Willow :

I have CRPS and autism. I was the eldest parentified daughter in a Catholic household going to an evangelical school 1-12th grade. I don’t know how to unmask and yes it’s absolutely painful.

Sybucha :

This explains a lot. I was high masking my entire life, diagnosed at 65 yo. Then fell down in a deep burn out for one year and a half. I thought I’d never recover. It took forever to get totally out of it. Thank you ☺️