Autistic Masking: The Damaging Effects of Long-Term Masking and Camouflaging

Have you been masking for such a long time that you struggle to unmask? One of the positive effects of masking for autistic people is being socially accepted, but ironically, it also damages our authentic selves.

Long-term autistic masking makes us struggle and be scared to unmask. In this video, we'll discuss the significant damaging effects of long-term masking and how to help those who heavily mask to slowly rediscover their true selves.

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:14 - The message we tell ourselves when we mask
01:19 - Masking as Camouflaging
03:14 - Feeling uncomfortable when people look you in the eye
05:40 - The real problem created by long-term masking
09:26 - How to help someone who struggles to unmask

CHANNEL LINKS:
Patreon:   / aspergersfromtheinside  
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Twitter:   / aspiefrominside  
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More Videos:    / @autismfromtheinside  
Email: [email protected]
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// WELCOME TO ASPERGERS FROM THE INSIDE!!

My name is Paul and I discovered I have Aspergers at age 30.
If you're new you can check out a playlist of some of my most popular videos here:    / aspergersfromtheinside  

Yes, I know, I don't look autistic. That's exactly why I started this blog, because if I didn't show you, you would never know.

As the name suggests, this channel is devoted to giving you insight into the world of Aspergers.
This blog started off being just my story, but I've learned SO MUCH about my own condition
from meeting others on the Autism Spectrum that now I make sure to feature their stories as well.

I've come a long way in my own personal journey.
Now I'm sharing what I've found so you don't have to learn it the hard way too.

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// WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THIS BLOG

You can expect me to get to the point with concise useful information.
I focus on what is most important and don't shy away from difficult topics.

The best way to learn about Autism is to see it in real life ( i.e. via the stories of many, many people on the spectrum).

In this channel I endeavour to show you what Autism and Aspergers look like in real people and to also give you some insight as to what's happening on the inside.
I upload a new video every weekend with some bonus content thrown in mid-week too.
There's always new stuff coming through so be sure to check back and see what you've missed. (Is this where I'm supposed to tell you to hit that subscribe button?)

Topics Include:
What is Aspergers/Autism?
Aspie Tips, coping strategies, and advice on common issues
Learning Emotional Intelligence (this is my special interest!)
Autism in real life: stories from special guests

Everything I do is and endeavour to go deeper and take you 'behind the scenes' to understand what may, at first glance, seem 'odd'.
oh, and I love busting stereotypes and turning preconceptions upsidedown :)

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// ABOUT ME

I discovered I have aspergers at the age of thirty.
It has been my life's mission to understand these funny creatures we call humans.
My special interest is a combination of emotional intelligence, psychology, neuroscience, thinking styles, behaviour, and motivation. (I.e. what makes people tick)
My background is in engineering and I see the world in systems to be analysed.
My passion is for taking the incredibly complex, deciphering the pattern, and explaining it very simply.
My philosophy is that blogging is an adventure best shared.

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// EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE TRAINING

I also run autism friendly online emotional intelligence training. So if you like my direct, systematic style, and would like to improve your own emotional intelligence skills, check it out here:
http://emotionsexplained.com.au

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// CONTACT

Blogging is an adventure best shared which means I'd love to hear from you!
Feel free to leave me a comment or send me and email at any time and I'll do my best to respond promptly.
Email: [email protected]

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy this channel!
I look forward to hearing from you!

Peace,

~Paul