Do You Have Rejections Sensitivity Dysphoria?
Do you ever feel like you can't catch a break? That no matter what you do, you're just not good enough? If so, you might have Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). RSD is a condition that affects males more commonly than females and is highly associated with ADHD. It can make day-to-day tasks very difficult and make social interactions practically impossible. But there is hope! With understanding and proper coping mechanisms, RSD does not have to take over your life.
What is Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD)?
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is a psychological phenomenon that affects many people, though few even know it exists. It causes those struggling with it to become overly sensitive to criticism and rejection. Rejection of any kind can bring on an intense emotional reaction, including anxiety, depression, and self-doubt. The fear of rejection can be so debilitating that it can prevent someone from even attempting certain tasks or taking social risks—and ultimately limit their success in life. Identifying RSD for what it is could go a long way in helping those dealing with this difficult condition to understand themselves and access the proper resources for managing it.
The symptoms of RSD
Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) is a type of emotion dysregulation that often occurs in people with ADHD. It is characterized by an excessive and persistent sense of anxiety, insecurity, and hurt stemming from the anticipation or experience of being rejected or negatively evaluated by others. The main symptoms of RSD include feeling deeply hurt and reacting strongly to perceived or real criticism, difficulty trusting others, intense worry about offending or being alienated by peers, difficulty controlling emotional outbursts, quickness to anger over small inconveniences, avoiding social situations for fear of scrutiny or criticism, and feeling emotionally overwhelmed after spending time with other people. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help individuals learn to manage the effects of RSD in order to lead a happier life.
How RSD can impact your life
Rejections sensitivity dysphoria can be hard to deal with and often it's hard to understand why certain situations affect us more than others. This can heavily influence how we interact with the world in general, as well as how we form attachments. We could find ourselves withdrawing or struggling to connect with other people, making everyday activities such as relationships, job applications and social events far more difficult. It's important to remember though that no matter what kind of rejection you experience, there is help out there. With proper understanding and coping skills, rejections sensitivity dysphoria can be managed and no longer have as big of an impact on your life.
Tips for coping with RSD
Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) can feel like an unrelenting and daunting battle. Learning to cope with it can be tricky as well; it often requires a mix of confronting our emotions, finding the right type of support, and identifying practical solutions. Start your journey to a better relationship with RSD by reminding yourself that you're not alone in this fight — there are others out there who understand and have gone through similar experiences. Connecting with them through therapy or online forums can help immensely. Additionally, understanding the situations that triggers RSD and consciously practicing self-care is key. This can entail recognizing when your current circumstances are beyond your control, doing something that makes you happy, or simply distracting yourself with other tasks like reading or listening to music. Above all else, remember that you don't need to go through this journey alone — reach out for help whenever you need it!
All in all, Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria is a complex and difficult disorder to cope with. Everybody goes through troubling times and it’s essential that those struggling with RSD have the space, support and understanding to keep going when things get tough. Recognizing how RSD is affecting your life and looking after yourself holistically can help you reduce its impact on your day-to-day activities. Finding effective strategies like creating a ‘safe place’, limiting triggering media content, doing creative hobbies or recognizing external triggers can help you take control of your emotions and cope better when negative feelings arise. Above all else, try to stay kind to yourself; the delicate journey of coping with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria starts with self acceptance. We can help you with RSD through our ADHD treatment at Fortis Counseling. If you have any questions regarding treatment, reach out to us today!