Health and Safety ReportVolume 24, Issue 07

New research from Simon Fraser University shows how common, and costly, it is for adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to hide their symptoms to fit in socially and professionally.

What is masking?

Masking, also called social camouflaging, refers to the strategies people with ADHD use to hide or compensate for their traits in social situations. These actions include pretending to pay attention, hiding the urge to fidget, rehearsing conversations in advance, or over-preparing for meetings and social gatherings.

According to the study’s lead author Marisa Mylett, these strategies can help people gain acceptance socially, in relationships, or at work. But that short-term benefit often leaves people feeling exhausted and less connected to others.

How the study was conducted

Researchers surveyed 202 adults in British Columbia, aged 16 and older, who had been diagnosed with ADHD by a pediatrician, medical doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. Participants completed an online survey with open-ended questions about their experiences camouflaging ADHD traits, and their responses were analyzed to identify common patterns.

The sample skewed young with nearly 72 per cent of  participants under the age of 35, and about 71 per cent identified as women. Many participants also reported having conditions such as anxiety or depression, factors the researchers note may have shaped how often, and how intensely, camouflaging showed up in the data.

What researchers found

The results were striking: 91.6 per cent of participants said they camouflaged ADHD traits in many different settings and circumstances, such as social situations, workplaces, job interviews, public spaces, new relationships, and even when alone. The researchers grouped their findings into three broad categories: why people mask, how they do it, and the consequences of doing it.

People masked because they were trying to appear "normal," to be liked and taken seriously (especially at work), or to avoid negative judgment, rejection, or discrimination. For many, masking was a survival tactic to protect themselves in a world that isn't built to accommodate how they naturally think, move, or communicate.

Common approaches fell into three groups: suppressing or disguising, overpreparing, or using substances. Some participants hid or disguised their traits outright – fidgeting discreetly, forcing eye contact, mimicking others' speech and body language, or avoiding social situations altogether. Others actively suppressed impulses, holding back the urge to speak, interrupt, or move. And many compensated by over-preparing, relying heavily on planners and reminders, or in some cases, using substances like cannabis or alcohol to manage anxiety and overstimulation in social settings.

While masking sometimes helped people build relationships and succeed professionally, it came at a price. Participants described profound exhaustion, heightened anxiety and depression, and a growing sense of disconnection from their authentic selves. Some questioned who they were after years of mimicking others. Many also said masking backfired over time, making ADHD traits like inattention and forgetfulness worse rather than better, since the effort of masking left less mental capacity for the task at hand. And rather than reducing stigma, some participants felt that camouflaging their symptoms only reinforced it by keeping ADHD invisible and making it harder for others to understand or accommodate them.

Why it matters

Co-author and psychology professor Grace Iarocci says recognizing camouflaging behaviours is critical for clinicians working with adults who may have ADHD. People with ADHD aren't misperceiving the world around them, she says, they're responding to real social pressures and masking is how they cope.

The study notes that “educators, employers, family and friends should be mindful of how their responses to neurodivergent traits may reinforce camouflaging behaviours and should aim to create spaces where a diverse range of social behaviours and styles are accepted.” In the workplace, taking steps to understand and accept the traits associated with adult ADHD can help reduce stigma and support workers who might otherwise feel the need to mask.

The researchers note that widespread masking may also help explain why ADHD in adults is so often diagnosed late or missed altogether. When symptoms are successfully hidden, they're harder for clinicians, teachers, and even family members to recognize and support.

A need for change

The findings point to a broader social challenge. As Mylett explains, the fact that so many adults with ADHD feel they must mask as a survival strategy signals there's work to be done to reduce stigma and shift norms toward accepting neurodiverse workers.

The researchers argue that responsibility for change shouldn't rest solely on individuals with ADHD. Instead, they point to workplaces, schools, and clinics as key places where more awareness and support of ADHD traits could ease the pressure to mask in the first place.

Resources

• Experiences of social camouflaging in adults with ADHD, Research in Neurodiversity
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace, CCOHS
• Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace podcast, CCOHS

Featured podcast: Smoke Signals: How Outdoor Air Quality Affects Workplace Safety 

Poor air quality events are on the rise, affecting the health and safety of both outdoor and indoor workers. Having a clear plan ready before the smoke or dust rolls in is just one of the things employers can do to keep workers healthy. CCOHS Senior Technical Specialist Matea Kokorovic joins us to discuss what employers and workers need to know. 

Listen to the podcast now 

Encore podcast: Creating Safe Workplaces for International Workers  

International workers are an integral part of the Canadian economy. There are a number of factors that make them uniquely vulnerable, from language barriers to fears around work permits and job security that may prevent them from speaking up about unsafe conditions. Francy Munoz from the C.A.R.E. for International Workers program discusses ways to improve workplace safety for international workers. 

Listen to the podcast now 

See the complete list of podcast topics or, better yet, subscribe to the series on YouTube, iTunes or Spotify and don't miss a single episode.

Need practical guidance to develop and maintain your health and safety program? Looking for safety talk ideas to raise awareness about hazards? Take your workplace health safety program to the next level with our new Health and Safety Toolkit.

This hand-picked collection full of guides, templates, safety talks, and printable posters will help you:

• Develop and enhance your health and safety program
• Identify hazards, assess risks, and put control measures in place
• Lead effective safety talks and promote a positive safety culture

All the resources can be accessed immediately, making it easy to start improving workplace safety right away.

Get started with the Health and Safety Toolkit today.

Occupational health and safety laws are always evolving. This month’s highlights include changes to Acts and regulations in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

Ontario

Control of Exposure to Biological or Chemical Agents (Occupational Health and Safety Act): O. Reg. 113/26 came into effect on July 1, 2026, and adds a definition of “CSA” to Section 1; repeals and replaces paragraph 1 of subsection 10(1) regarding respirator requirements; and amends clause (b) of subsection 10 (3) by replacing “N-100, R-100 or P-100” with “N100, CA-N100, R100, CA-R100, P100 or CA-P100.”

British Columbia

Emergency and Disaster Management Regulation (Emergency and Disaster Management Act): B.C. Reg. 79/2026, Sched. 1 came into effect on May 11, 2026, and adds subsection 6.1(3); adds new Section 7.1 “Disclosure of personal information” to Division 1; adds new Division 1.1 - Emergency Management Planning by Provincial Administrator and new Division 3 - Emergency Management Planning by Local Authorities; and repeals and replaces “Fire Safety Act” in column 1 of the table in the Schedule.

Nova Scotia

Air Quality Regulations (Environment Act): N.S. Reg. 95/2026 came into effect on June 1, 2026 and adds definitions for “ambient air quality objectives” and “ambient air quality standards” to Section 2; repeals subsection 3(2) and replaces it with new subsections 3(2), (3) and (4); repeals “Schedule A—Maximum Permissible Ground Level Concentrations” and replaces it with “Schedule A: Ambient Air Quality Standards;” and adds new “Schedule AA: Ambient Air Quality Objectives.”

Quebec

A significant amendment has been made to the regulation respecting occupational health and safety in mines (Act respecting occupational health and safety): O.C. 815-2026. Wording changes have been made to several sections and several new sections have been added.

Did you know? Navigating health, safety and environmental laws just got faster and easier with the all-new enviroOSH Legislation Service. Updated daily, the subscription service keeps you informed about health, safety, and environmental legislation across Canada. Subscribers also receive a monthly summary of proposed and repealed legislation, amendments, and new documents. 

This is your final call to apply for the $3,000 Chad Bradley Scholarship. But hurry, time is almost up - apply by August 31.  

If you’re a woman enrolled in a post-secondary occupational health and safety program at a Canadian college or university, this opportunity is for you.  

Learn more about the scholarship and how to apply: www.ccohs.ca/scholarships/cbradley/

The CCOHS Forum 2026 speaker lineup is growing. Discover new voices, and gain insights and practical takeaways on key workplace health and safety issues, October 28-29, in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.  

Speakers just announced: 

• Panel discussion featuring Lori LeDrew, Executive Director, Office to Advance Women Apprentices Newfoundland and Labrador, Martha MacDonald, Leadership Coordinator, Yukon Women in Trades & Tech (YWITT), and Alison Ng, Women in Trades Program Manager, First Peoples Development Inc.  

Lori, Martha, and Alison share insights on the health and safety issues faced by women in trades, discuss strategies for creating inclusive workplaces, and highlight what more needs to be done.

• Rob Stewart, Chief Science Officer - Applied Research Knowledge Services, Intactix Systems Inc.  

Rob connects real-world applications of socio-technical science to how it supports stronger Criminal Code accountability, operational discipline, safety assurance, and business excellence – before tragedy occurs. 

• Paul Demers, Scientific Director, Occupational Cancer Research Centre 

Paul discusses the opportunities and implications for Canada as the International Labour Organization (ILO) updates its guidance on occupational health and safety statistics to better address occupational diseases, workplace exposures, and emerging risks. 

For more information, including our speaker lineup and topics so far, visit: www.ccohs.ca/forum.

Did you know that approximately 1.6 million workers in Canada are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun? This includes workers across a range of industries – from construction to agriculture to landscaping and hospitality and tourism.

Overexposure to the sun can cause sunburn, premature skin aging, skin cancer, and eye damage. Working in the sun can also lead to heat-related illnesses, like sunstroke. These resources can help you raise awareness and protect your workers against the harmful effects of the sun.

• Sun Safety in Canada infographic
• Skin Cancer and Sunlight fact sheet
• Keep Your Cool poster
• Working in the Heat infographic
• Temps Up, Heads Up: How to Stay Safe While Working Outside podcast
• CAREX Canada