Behavioural Masking and Breast Cancer Survivorship: A Personal Reflection

Abstract

In psychology and sociology, masking is the process in which an individual disguise his/her natural personality or behaviour to conform to social pressures, to fight any harm or agitation. Masking is a social camouflaging behaviour where individuals suppress their true personality, emotions, or neurodivergent traits to conform to social pressures, avoid judgment, or fit in. It is a learned, often exhausting coping strategy commonly used by autistic individuals to appear "normal," but it can lead to burnout, anxiety, and mental health challenges. Concealing one's natural personality or behaviors such as autistic traits, mental health struggles depression/anxiety, in response to sudden shock or social pressure or fear of stigma. When people mask their behaviour, consciously they change their body language, tone of voice, or facial expressions around specific people or in certain situations.