Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) + ADHD

[Tonkin]

This is sometimes called rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), which is not a medical diagnosis, but a way of describing certain symptoms associated with ADHD

People who have the condition sometimes work hard to make everyone like and admire them. Or they might stop trying and stay out of any situation where they might get hurt. This social withdrawal can look like social phobia, which is a serious fear of being embarrassed in public.

https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/rejec...tive-dysphoria

Anyone familiar with RSD?

Sounds quite familiar to SA in some ways:

Those with RSD are extremely sensitive to criticism, often holding on to negative words or actions made towards them for months, or even years.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl...vity-dysphoria

Signs of RSD include:

• Struggle with low self-worth or self-esteem
• Easily embarrassed or ashamed
• Quick to anger or blow up when perceiving a rejection or getting hurt by someone
• Sets high expectations that are difficult to meet
• Experiences social anxiety and relationship challenges
• Sees themselves as a failure when they disappoint others
• May consider self-harming behaviors
• Anticipate rejection in new situations

[Amara 94]

I feel this way but haven’t looked into RSD.

[choirgirl]

Oh yes, I have this, this was one of the things which explained everything further. I don't really get angry usually, I internalise that, probably a woman thing. RSD is the reason behind my phone phobia, I think. I think it's probably the main reason for my SA in the first place. I'm sure it's a big factor in my internalised lesbophobia as well, although that was operating below conscious awareness. And once upon a time, in my youth, I was a perfectionist. Hard to believe now.

[gregarious_introvert]

I wasn't familiar with this until now, but I've had seven of the eight signs listed at one or other points in my life; these days, my main issue is the third one.

[choirgirl]

I think it's an over reaction to actual rejection, and then the anticipation of the pain of experiencing that again?

[Tonkin]

I don't have the anger one. Although I do sort of get angry but keep it bottled up and never express it. So maybe I do? I don't think I've ever shouted at anyone or expressed any anger I was feeling ever.

The others I can say Yes to, to varying degrees.

[Tonkin]

Could be. There are so many factors to everything it seems.

It's a shame we humans don't spend more time exploring our issues instead of just trying to pretend everything is OK and muddling through life. Even people that are "normal" probably have a lot of stuff lurking in the background, influencing their actions without them realising.

Or maybe too much introspection would be counter productive and it really is better to just try your best without thinking too much?

[choirgirl]

I get quite irritable though. ^^Yes, that seems likely.

[Dougella]

Bump.

[Ronnie_Pickering]

what did you bump into Dougella?

This is an interesting lady on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Theholisticpsyc

[Dougella]

I bump into things all the time but that's not relevent to this thread.
I just thought this was an interesting subject and people might find it useful to think about.

[EmBob]

I only heard of this after getting diagnosed with ADHD but it does seem to sum up my experiences better than social anxiety disorder does.

As strange as it sounds, although I do feel anxious about social situations, the anxiety itself has never been my main issue. It's more that I replay everything in my head, feel I've embarrassed myself or everyone is judging me and go over things people have said to me, sometimes years later. It's more like intrusive thoughts than it is about actual feelings of anxiety before/after socialising.

I've noticed that although people I've met with SA do seem shy and quiet at first, they often seem to do well once they actually get to know people and make friends, especially in smaller groups. (Massive generalisation that won't apply to everyone obviously). For me, although I obviously do get more comfortable with people over time and can open up to them more, the fear of rejection/criticism does not improve and if anything often gets worse, even after years of friendship.

On the surface, I don't think RSD is really specific enough or different enough that it should become it's own medical diagnosis or even a significant part of an ADHD diagnosis, but it was interesting to come across. I'd be interested in if/how it could be treated. ADHD medication, CBT and various types of counselling have made no difference to it for me.

On a broader note, I would love a time machine a hundred years in the future to read the DSM. I wonder how many diagnosis would be combined into one, how many would be separated into several, how many will be done away with altogether etc. I was reading recently how some people are starting to think that BPD is basically the same as CPTSD and should be treated that way.

I don't have any ground-breaking theories about how we should change up psychiatry or anything, but I'm more just curious to see which way it will go.

[Mr. Nobody]

it would appear that I do struggle with most, if not all of the things on that list,

but I'm sure I've never had ADHD

I was always a very placid and calm person I think, although my mind was sometimes racing fast, but I'd usually be able to sit for long periods of time just drawing or reading a book or something, or just looking at the sky,

so, I'm thinking I'm not ADHD, or maybe I'm just wrongly associating with a limited view or understanding of ADHD?

[Dougella]

^ I think rejection sensitive dysphoria can be associated with autism too, although I may be mistaken?

[Mr. Nobody]

^ ^^

thanks folks,
I've been told by a few people who work in that area that I'm autistic,
or at least have a lot of autistic traits,

sounds very interesting Nanuq,
I definitely know a few people who are definitely ADHD, one in particular is a force of nature almost,. never sticking to one thing or one job for any length of time.

from the outside it seems like it would be exhausting living such a life,

[choirgirl]

Rejection sensitivity could be associated with childhood trauma, independently of ADHD, I believe.

I actually do have the classic SA, I usually am more comfortable with familiarity.

I don't know that you have to be always changing your life for ADHD, Nanuq? I think there's quite a bit of variability. I might have a combo of both ADHD and autism, because I'm a special snowflake. I definitely have some of the problems you mention. I have a problem with really long term goals as well.