What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria? Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment.

What is RSD ADHD?

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is a complex emotional condition that often coexists with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). It involves intense emotional responses and sensitivity to perceived rejection or criticism, leading to profound distress and dysphoria. Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria can significantly impact an individual’s emotional well-being and quality of life. We will explore Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, its symptoms, underlying causes, and available treatment options.

Linking ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity

Uncover the significant evidence linking attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to rejection sensitivity disorder (RSD). Understand how individuals with RSD overreact to criticism or rejection, impacting their emotional well-being. With RSD being more prevalent in those with ADHD, it is crucial to grasp the profound consequences it can have on their daily lives. Controlling emotional responses to rejection becomes challenging for those struggling with ADHD and rejection-sensitive dysphoria. To help these individuals manage their emotions and relationships effectively, it is essential to delve deeper into the connection between these two conditions.

What’s The Difference Between Rejection Sensitivity Disorder and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?

RSD and rejection sensitivity share a close connection but exhibit subtle differences. To grasp these distinctions, we must first understand the concept of emotional dysregulation.

Emotional Dysregulation arises when the brain struggles to manage emotional signals effectively. As individuals mature, their brains typically learn to regulate these signals, akin to adjusting the volume on a TV to a comfortable level. However, emotional dysregulation implies that the emotional signs remain unmanageably high, like a TV stuck at a disruptively loud volume. This condition leads to:

• Feeling overwhelmed.
• Uncomfortable.
• Even distressed.

Emotional dysregulation can manifest in various states, particularly those impacting brain structure and information processing. It is commonly associated with personality disorders, mood disorders, and more.

In Emotional Dysregulation and Rejection Sensitive Disorder, rejection sensitivity and RSD can involve emotional dysregulation. People with rejection sensitivity may experience:

• Intense anxiety.
• Negative emotions before expected rejection.
• Struggle to interpret non-positive interactions as anything other than rejection.
• React with strong emotions such as anger, extreme sadness, or severe anxiety.

While these experiences are also possible with RSD, there’s an additional layer. Individuals with RSD describe overwhelming emotional pain, setting it apart from rejection sensitivity.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Symptoms

Although there is no formal diagnosis for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), those who suffer from RSD generally show the following symptoms:

• Strong People-Pleasing Tendencies.
• Heightened Feelings of Embarrassment and Self-Consciousness.
• Low Self-Esteem and Frequent Self-Doubt.
• Sudden Outbursts of Physical Emotions, such as Anger, Tears, and Sadness.
• Engagement in Negative Self-Talk.
• Difficulty in Managing Emotional Reactions.
• Feeling Drained by Relationship Management.
• Sudden Shifts in Behavior, Such as Becoming Quiet, Moody, or Displaying Signs of Depression or Anxiety.
• Avoidance of Certain Tasks or Social Interactions Due to Fear of Disapproval or Rejection.
• Striving for Perfection to Prevent Any Possibility of Failure.

These symptoms could negatively affect a person’s well-being and quality of life.

The We Level Up Mental Health Centers can help empower families affected by rejection-sensitive dysphoria and their loved ones with powerful therapy & coping strategies. Call today for a free RSD assessment.

If rejection fills you with overwhelming sadness and uncontrollable emotional pain, you may be experiencing rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD). Experts say that individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to be affected by this condition.

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9.5%

Approximately 9.5% of American adults, ages 18 and over, will suffer from a depressive illness (major depression, bipolar disorder, or dysthymia) each year.

Source: NIMH

70-80%

The heritability of ADHD, estimated to be around 70-80%, further supports the notion that genetic factors play a substantial role in its development.

Source: NIMH

According to experts, the exact cause of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) remains uncertain. However, it is suspected to be related to the brain’s structure and shares similarities with the causes of ADHD.

Research has shown that social rejection, even when unclear or ambiguous, triggers brain activity similar to that associated with physical pain. Individuals with ADHD have distinct patterns of internal communication regulation in their brains compared to those without ADHD. Specifically, the brain regions responsible for filtering and regulating signals are less active in people with ADHD. This reduced filtration of brain activity can lead to difficulties in processing sensory information, making individuals with ADHD more susceptible to feeling overwhelmed by loud sounds, bright lights, or sudden environmental changes. Consequently, the brain’s inability to regulate pain-like activity may explain why rejection is significantly more distressing and painful for those with RSD.

Furthermore, ADHD has a genetic component, often running in families, and RSD, closely linked to ADHD, is also likely to have a genetic connection.

How Long Does RSD Last?

There is limited research on the duration of RSD. Some individuals may outgrow ADHD as their brains develop, which could lead to the resolution of RSD. For those who continue to live with ADHD into adulthood, RSD might persist as a lifelong concern. Nonetheless, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help individuals adapt and effectively manage RSD, potentially minimizing its impact on their lives.

What’s the Outlook for RSD?

RSD itself is not inherently dangerous, but it is associated with conditions that can pose risks. Anxiety and depression are common comorbidities, potentially increasing the risk of self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

When to Seek Emergency Care

If you or someone you know experiences thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it is crucial to seek immediate help. Contact one of the following resources for assistance:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (United States): This helpline supports individuals dealing with suicidal thoughts or impulses. Dial 988 to reach this lifeline.
• Local crisis lines: Mental health organizations like We Level Up FL Mental Health Treatment Center in your area may offer resources and crisis support. Look for local crisis lines if you are struggling with self-harm or thoughts of suicide.
• 911 (or your local emergency services number): In cases of immediate danger related to self-harm or suicide, call 911 or your local emergency services number. Operators can assist in crises, dispatching first responders to provide immediate help.