What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and is it specific to ADHD?

Archie joins Aniesa to discuss RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria), the extreme emotional sensitivity or pain which is triggered by the perception that they are being rejected or criticised by important people in their life. It can also come into play when they feel like they have failed to meet their own, or others, expectations. They talk about how RSD presents, what the experience feels like and whether RSD is specific to ADHD including what other conditions or issues can present in a similar way.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• RSD is often linked to ADHD but trauma can present in the same way.
• Individuals with RSD can feel a lot of shame when they are given feedback or criticism.
• RSD isn’t recognised as a mental disorder or illness, which can make people feel like it isn’t actually happening to them and feed into imposter syndrome.
• Difficulty with emotional regulation is a major indicator of ADHD and RSD only impacts this further with intense and overwhelming emotions.
• Individuals can become consumed, almost hyperfocused, on behaviour that they perceive to be rejection.
• Justice sensitivity is a feature of RSD, individuals are more attuned to justice for victims. It can be very distressing to experience but can also make very good advocates.
• RSD comes with very high standards that are usually impossible to achieve, impacting self-esteem.
• The fear of rejection can sometimes actually mean an individual with RSD will put up with a lot of bad behaviour before reprimanding someone, it can take a lot for them to see the ‘bad’ in people.
• Genetics and the brain’s structure are thought to be the biggest cause and indicator of RSD.

BEST MOMENTS

"For people with RSD, these universal life experiences are much more severe than for neurotypical individuals”

“For me when I’m in conversation with someone my main objective is how do I agree with this person which is so annoying because I’m never going to agree with everybody”

“The RSD is so strong, sometimes at its strongest just because you are alone”

“Then you have a whole family of people who are always seriously second-guessing themselves”

CONTACT METHOD

www.instagram.com/aniesabblore/           
www.instagram.com/sensationalkidstherapyuk/    
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ABOUT THE HOST

Aniesa completed her degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Stellenbosch, in South Africa. She has since been focusing on pediatrics and sensory processing and integration. She has worked across a range of pediatric fields and has extensive experience in autism, specific learning difficulties, as well as anxiety and emotional regulation.

Aniesa has one teenage son with autism, and one with sensory difficulties. She herself was diagnosed at a late age as having ADHD and has found that understanding her neurodivergence has led to a greater connection with children and their parents.

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