The Perfect Mask

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Is it possible to create the perfect mask to hide your aspergers symptoms and characteristics? I know we shouldn't have to hide our AS but others don't understand aspergers. Do you have a mask and if so how good is it? Dexter from the tv show Dexter has the perfect mask to cover up his sociopathy. Do you want a good mask?

I wear a "mask" I put on a smile and good mood but am really in emotional pain from not being in College. Sadly I'm meltdown central and you have to be careful what is said to me. I tend to try to be happy and such but it's all a facade since I'm really hurting inside.

I can 'fake' social interaction, but only for limited durations. I always have to go be alone and feel the pain from exerting my mind in such away.

The perfect mask? I think not. A working mask? Absolutely.

I was enrolled in Children's Theatre as a child, and have stuck with performing since then. Through mastering my craft I have learned to control my voice and my body; to play a scene with a fellow actor; to follow a script--basically everything except improvise.

Daily life is simply another performance. I can do all the things on that stage that I do on a theatre stage. But it takes the same level of effort, and i cannot do it indefinitely.

I don't have much desire to hide my condition....maybe before being diagnosed I was unconsciously trying to pose as "normal" - I sensed there was something different about me and used to like it when I somehow managed to behave in a "normal" way for a few moments, but since the DX I'm not convinced of the wisdom of doing that. If I were to succeed, people would just expect things from me that I couldn't deliver in a sustainable way. I never did have much of a problem admitting the things I can't do, apart from perhaps social things.....I wanted to be viewed as perfectly able to be extravert, but now I know I'm not, I prefer not to lie about it. I don't believe in trying to sell myself by wearing masks - perhaps when dealing with enemies it makes sense, but my answer to enemies is to build a wall and keep them out.

I don't honestly think it's worth it to create a mask. About the only concession I make to this is that I wear black or reflective shades so I never have to make eye contact, though it serves the dual purpose of protecting my eyes because of my photophobia. However, about my behaviour, "eccentricities," obsessive interests (which are never received well), and dislike of being around people I don't identify with (which is 95%), I do not hide. There is no point. I am who am, and if people do not like it, then just stay away. I make no pretenses with people I dislike, I make it very well known. I am not a polite and courteous person to those I dislike, it is dishonest, makes you more miserable because you end up spending more time in their company, and pointless.

I agree. The only exception to this is at work, when you HAVE to work with "those" people.

Even then I make it known. I can work with someone I do not like. I make it just as apparent. It keeps any forms of social niceties from happening such as invites to parties and such, and oddly, there is no one at my work that actively dislikes me as far as I can tell (unless they're hiding it, which I don't care about) even though I make it clear I dislike them.

It confuses me that I can dislike someone and they can somehow like me. Again, this might simply be their mask, or it might be geniune, I do not know, but I don't care much either way, except in the curiousity of how it's possible if they actually like me. Curious to know that, but I've got more intense interests right now to bother asking them.

I don't hide who I am; I offer up a value people need and want. Believe me, ya do that, they'll overlook near everything.

When I'm forced to socialise I simply "survive" it by disengaging emotionally, having no expectations at all, being as honest and straightforward as possible, but basically speaking about myself only what is asked and is feeling comfortable. Otherwise it gets too draining.

On my own. I just find it too tiring to wear a mask. I don't give a damn if people look at me and think I am odd (well actually, I must admit, I do sometimes get defensive if people stare at me but I just don't care to pretend to be something I am not.

When with my family, I do tend to do my best to put on an act. I tend to not talk freely, lest I say something annoying or wrong and I avoid laughing as I used to get asked to laugh more quietly.

I think you reach a point where you just want to be you. And to hell with anyone else.