Autism Expert: What Autistic Masking Feels Like From The Inside

Dr Martin Brunet has 25 years experience as a NHS GP. He has a special interest in Autism and ADHD and is the author of the best selling book entitled ‘Make Your Worry Make Sense’.

In this episode, Dr Martin Brunet explores the hidden reality of autistic masking, why it starts, what it feels like, and the long-term impact it can have on identity, relationships and wellbeing. We discuss the subtle signs of masking, why so many autistic people go undiagnosed, and what it can look like to safely rediscover who you are beneath the mask.

Chapters:

00:00 Trailer

01:08 What Masking Actually Feels Like

06:32 How Early Does Masking Start?

07:48 What Teaches a Child to Start Masking?

09:26 Can One Cruel Comment Change You for Decades?

11:22 What Are Autistic People Protecting Themselves From?

14:03 Is Masking a Choice — or Completely Automatic?

16:29 The Autistic Mirror

19:54 When Masking Becomes a Survival Mechanism

21:43 The Subtle Signs Someone Is Masking

24:38 Inside the Mind of an Autistic Person Who’s Masking

26:19 The Aeroplane Analogy That Explains Masking

28:57 What Years of Masking Does to a Person

31:08 Tiimo

32:38 The Biggest Cost of Masking: Losing Who You Are

34:39 Why Masking Can Make Autistic People So Lonely

36:18 Why So Many Autistic Women Are Missed

38:58 Can You Look Successful While Falling Apart Privately?

41:21 Code-Switching: What It Is and Why Autistic People Do It

43:39 Why an Autism Diagnosis Can Be So Emotional

46:24 How Do You Find Yourself After Years of Masking?

49:05 Why Unmasking Isn’t Right for Everyone

52:42 How to Start Unmasking Safely

54:30 The “Washing Machine of Woes”

59:16 What I’d Tell My Younger Autistic Self

Visit Dr Brunet’s website 👉 martinbrunet.com

Find Dr Brunet on Instagram 👉 instagram.com/doc_martin_gp/?hl=en

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Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/…

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Producer: Timon Woodward

Recorded by: Hamlin Studios

Trailer editor: Ryan Faber

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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