This week, the docs take a closer look at masking, also known as camouflaging, an experience often linked with autism and a frequent topic across social media. But is masking limited to autism, or can it also show up in other mental health conditions, like OCD? We unpack the research on OCD and autism, exploring how the two overlap, how they differ, and why so many people see themselves reflected in posts about masking, regardless of their diagnosis or lack thereof. We discuss how masking can shape everyday life and offer perspectives that invite more self-compassion, reflection, and curiosity around masking and mental health.
References (selected studies discussed in the episode): Evans et al., 2024 (masking & mental health); Zhuang et al., 2023 (systematic review of camouflaging); Khudiakova et al., 2024 (meta-analysis on camouflaging and mental health); Long et al., 2024 (autism–OCD interplay); Alaghband-Rad et al., 2023 (camouflaging in adult autism).
