Masking
Contents: Informative text on ‘masking’, the comic.
‘Masking’ refers to a strategy used both consciously and unconsciously to fit into society. Primarily used by autistic people, those with ADHD and other neurodivergent groups, ‘masking’ serves to avoid stigmatisation and hostility arising from (apparently) deviant behaviour. As well as adjustments to volume, clothing, and the choice of conversation topics, mirroring facial expressions and speech patterns may also be employed. In addition, self-regulation strategies (‘stimming’) are adapted or temporarily suppressed in order to be perceived as neurotypical. All these strategies usually require years of observing, trialling and adopting behaviours, and their long-term use can lead to far-reaching consequences. Those affected report, amongst other things, a sense of loss of their own identity, exhaustion following social interactions, signs of burnout and even increased suicidal tendencies. ‘Masking’ therefore goes far beyond what is visible; it is deeply ingrained in individuals’ personal experiences and can lead to additional mental health conditions for those affected.
The comic
A ‘panel’ refers to a single image sequence in a comic.
Panel 1
Description
The protagonist, Hanna, looks directly at the reader. Whilst she has one hand on her hip, she raises the other loosely to the side. She is waving. Hanna is wearing a cropped white T-shirt and blue trousers. She has gold chains hanging round her neck and hoop earrings in her ears. Hanna has shoulder-length black hair, though her head is covered by a blue cap. To the right of her head is a speech bubble with the words: ‘Hi, I’m Hanna.’
Hi, I’m Hanna. I’m 21 years old and in my third semester studying Political Science at Bielefeld University. At the moment, I live with my friend Lea in a two-person flat-share, and it’s going really well. We cook together almost every evening and then watch our favourite series, ‘Game of Thrones’ – admittedly, we’re a bit behind the ‘hype’. Besides my studies, my job and some voluntary work, I spend most of my free time at the swimming pool doing laps. I simply feel most at home in the water – it’s been that way ever since I was a child.
Panel 2
Description
Hannah looks into her brown tote bag, looking bewildered and stressed. Her gaze is downcast, her eyes wide open and the corners of her mouth slightly turned down. Four thought bubbles gather around her head, containing the words ‘Do I have to keep a low profile?’, ‘Do I have to stay focused the whole time?’, ‘… talkative?’, ‘… professional?’. There are two spirals to the left and right of her body. Above her head are three narrow inverted triangles.
Because of my ADHD, new situations, amongst other things, are very challenging for me. In particular, those in which I don’t know in advance to what extent I’ll have to ‘perform’ and what will be expected of me. In other words, to what extent it would be safer to conceal certain behaviours, symptoms or even personality traits. This causes me enormous stress and requires a great deal of effort.
Panel 3
Description
The brown tote bag is standing open, and the viewer can look inside from above. Inside are several masks, with the focus on an orange one, a purple one and a blue one. The orange mask shows a smiling ‘face’, the purple one a pensive ‘face’ and the blue one a focused, slightly smiling ‘face’.
Particularly in everyday university life, I often find myself in situations where I try to play a role and ‘put on a front’. Simply to appear normal and not to stand out or cause offence. Such situations can vary greatly. For example, in the university canteen with fellow students, …
Panel 4
Description
Hanna is sitting at a high table with two other characters. Hanna is in the middle. To her left sits a person dressed in sportswear – a blue T-shirt, long black trousers and with short hair. She is facing Hanna and is holding an apple. On the right-hand side of the panel sits a person in a yellow T-shirt and shorts. In front of her is a bowl of salad. She is bringing a fork to her mouth. Hanna is wearing a purple V-neck top and grey trousers with orange trainers. She is holding a water bottle in her hand. Her face is covered by an orange mask with a smiling expression. Behind Hanna, a yellow, star-like shape stretches out. The protagonists are chatting.
…, whilst talking to my lecturers …
Panel 5
Description
Two people are standing opposite each other. The character on the right-hand side of the panel has their back to the viewer. They is wearing a yellow top and has short black hair. Hanna is standing on the left-hand side of the panel. Both characters are facing each other. Hanna is wearing a pink long-sleeved top with a purple T-shirt over the top. Hanna’s face is covered by the blue ‘mask’. Her eyes are wide open, the corners of her mouth are turned up – she looks focused. Next to her head is a speech bubble containing the words: ‘Thanks for the feedback!’.
… and particularly in many seminars. In these, I always try to give the impression that I’ve got everything under control. That people can’t tell I’m feeling insecure on the inside.
Panel 6
Description
Hanna is sitting at a table in the seminar room. Her laptop is open in front of her and her brown tote bag is on the floor beside her. Behind her sits another student. There are books on the table in front of him, and he is writing on a sheet of paper with a pen. He is looking straight ahead. On the left-hand side of the panel, another workspace is visible. A teacher is standing in front of the students on the right-hand side of the panel. She is wearing a grey long-sleeved top, loose-fitting blue trousers and trainers. She is wearing an orange hijab on her head. Furthermore, she is facing the students and has a smile on her face. In the background stands a DTEN device, on which small tiles showing faces can be seen. These represent students who have joined the seminar online. Hanna has raised her left arm – she is asking to speak. Hanna is wearing a purple face mask and looks pensive. Behind her head and upper body, there is a red patch with a jumbled dark red line on it. Hanna appears to be very stressed.
Even so, there are moments at university when I can take off my mask and just be myself. For example, at the ‘Study Start Accessability’ event, where I meet other students who have similar concerns, experiences or needs to mine. I’m allowed to cry, I’m allowed to be angry – whatever. I’m allowed to fidget or just feel a bit different – if you like.
Panel 7
Description
Hanna is sitting around a small coffee table with two other students. Whilst Hanna and another student are sitting on a sofa, the third student, on the left of the panel, is sitting on a beanbag. She has orange, curly hair and is wearing a white top and short blue trousers. She has a tattoo on her right arm. The student to Hanna’s left on the sofa is wearing a yellow top and long black trousers. He has short black hair and is sitting facing Hanna. Hanna, for her part, is sitting cross-legged on the sofa. She is once again wearing her white T-shirt, blue long trousers and her cap. Hanna is holding a purple mask in her hand – she has taken it off her face. Her face is visible again and her mouth is curved into a smile. On the floor next to her is her brown tote bag, with two masks peeking out of it. All three are talking to one another.
I can just be myself there. Without putting on any pretences – just me.
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