Camouflaging in ADHD: the need for construct validation before clinical adoption.

Adamou, Marios · Br J Psychiatry · 2026

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

This editorial argues that camouflaging, as developed in autism research, does not transfer coherently to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The executive functions required for sustained symptom concealment are precisely those impaired in ADHD. Current measures lack ADHD-specific validity, and compensatory behaviours should not be reclassified as camouflaging without dedicated theory, operational definitions and validated measurement.