ADHD Videos

Why You Feel Rejection So Intensely

Rejection sensitive dysphoria is part of ADHD. It’s neurologic and genetic, and it can be debilitating.

Have you always been more sensitive than others to rejection, teasing, criticism, or your own perception that you have failed or fallen short? Nearly everyone with attention deficit disorder (ADHD or ADD) answers with an emphatic, “Yes.”

ADHD affects the way you experience emotions. That extreme emotional sensitivity and pain is called rejection sensitive dysphoria.

In this video, learn about the emotional disruptions that come along with the condition.

How ADHD Ignites Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is an extreme emotional sensitivity and pain commonly linked to ADHD.

It is triggered by:

  • the perception of being rejected, teased, or criticized
  • a sense of failure
  • a feeling of falling short of your own standards or others’ expectations

People with RSD aren’t thin-skinned or weak. Emotional responses neurologically and physically hurt them much more than they do people without the condition.

Many say they can’t find the words to describe RSD’s pain.

  • Intense
  • Awful
  • Terrible
  • Overwhelming
  • NOTE: The above words can float in underneath the ‘People often say…’ line

What does RSD look like?

  • Full, major depression with suicidal ideation
  • Instantaneous rage at the person or situation causing pain
  • Avoidance of rejection at all costs

Doctors often mistake these symptoms as signs of a mood disorder, social phobia, or anger problems.

This is why it’s critical to share your ADHD symptoms or diagnosis, as RSD and ADHD are commonly linked and help explain one another.

And remember: There is a name for what you’re feeling. It’s not your fault. You are not damaged.

For more information, visit http://additu.de/rsd.