Unmasking: What We Lose by Pretending and How to Get It Back

Unmasking is an ongoing process of noticing when we’re performing, deciding what serves us, and making gradual adjustments, according to Essy Knopf therapist and author of “Unmasking: What We Lose by Pretending and How to Get It Back”. Essy shares his autism diagnosis at 25 and later recognition of ADHD, highlighting how masking and non-stereotypical presentations delayed identification. In this conversation Essy shares about:

• Internalized ableism 
• Conditional self-worth 
• Burnout, and 
• The difficulty of forming authentic connections while performing for acceptance. 

This episode offers a grounded discussion of identity, self-advocacy, and living more intentionally as a neurodivergent adult.

Book: Unmasking: What We Lose by Pretending and How to Get It Back 

Website: https://essyknopf.com

Check out Essy's YouTube channel 

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