How does masking affect stress and burnout in autistic people?

PostedDecember 4, 2025

UpdatedDecember 4, 2025

ByMy Patient Advice

Author: Beatrice Holloway, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

The link between masking autism stress and long-term emotional strain is both powerful and deeply personal. For many autistic individuals, masking involves constantly adjusting tone, posture, or facial expressions to appear more “socially typical” a survival strategy that often comes at the cost of mental and physical energy.

Over time, masking autism stress builds up. What may start to avoid judgement or fit in can gradually become exhausting. This kind of sustained effort often includes elements of social camouflaging, where people learn to hide their true behaviours even from themselves. While this may make social interactions smoother on the outside, the internal toll can be heavy, leading to increased anxiety and chronic fatigue.

One of the most serious effects is burnout, where even basic daily tasks feel overwhelming due to prolonged emotional suppression. In many cases, people may lose their sense of identity, struggle to meet expectations, or withdraw from social situations entirely. The mental health impact can be significant, especially when masking goes unrecognised by those around them.

Signs That Masking May Be Taking a Toll

Watch for these indicators of masking-related stress:

Emotional exhaustion

Constantly monitoring behaviour leaves little energy for self-care or joy.

Disconnection from self

Autistic adults may question their own preferences, unsure of what feels genuine.

Sensitivity spikes

Sensory inputs or small stressors feel amplified, often leading to withdrawal.

For guidance on recognising and reducing masking safely, visit providers like Autism Detect for personal consultations.

For a deeper dive into the science, diagnosis, and full treatment landscape, read our complete guide to Communication Challenges.

Beatrice Holloway, MSc

Author

Beatrice Holloway is a clinical psychologist with a Master’s in Clinical Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She specialises in CBT, psychological testing, and applied behaviour therapy, working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developmental delays, and learning disabilities, as well as adults with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety, OCD, and substance use disorders. Holloway creates personalised treatment plans to support emotional regulation, social skills, and academic progress in children, and delivers evidence-based therapy to improve mental health and well-being across all ages.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy.

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy.