Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria aka RSD and What The Fu*k That Means

Have you ever felt like you're just walking on eggshells, waiting for someone to reject or criticize you? Like no matter how hard you try, you can't shake off this feeling of worthlessness or hopelessness? Welcome to the club of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).

RSD is a real thing, and it affects a lot of us who have ADHD. It's like this intense emotional reaction to perceived rejection or criticism that can leave us feeling like crap. It's not officially recognized as a standalone disorder, but the ADHD community is fully aware of it. Imagine having to constantly second-guess yourself, and being extra careful about what you say or do because you're afraid of being rejected. It's not just about being sensitive, it's about feeling like everything you do is wrong and that you're not good enough. It's exhausting, and it can take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being.

This isn’t just bad for us, it’s bad for all of the people we love (Or hate) too. Often times we will assume that what our friends said was meant to be critical against us instead of just a nonchalant reference to something not that important. Now, not only are our feelings hurt, but we have turned that person into a bad guy in our heads…now we feel upset at that person when they might have not done anything wrong at all. If this goes unchecked, you can lose a lot of friends and relationships by simply being “too sensitive. It truly is a fickle bitch to not have a firm grasp on reality and basically have to learn to give everyone the benefit of the doubt or live your entire life feeling like a victim AND a burden…

Unfortunately, this leads to a whole extra level of issues if you happen to partner up with a secret narcissist, or someone who realizes they can control you with this information about how your brain works. Some people will rush to the chance to use you simply due to the fact that you’re unsure if it’s just your brain telling you these things, or if they are actually happening. So be trusting, but take that with a grain of salt… I know this kind of made this entire article useless but it’s worth taking into consideration.

so now you see how vitally important it is to be aware if you suffer from RSD so that you can do your due diligence and keep your ADHD brain in check.

But it's not all bad news. There are ways to manage RSD and to improve your emotional well-being. Therapy, medication, and self-care practices can help you learn how to cope with the intense emotions that come with RSD. It's also important to surround yourself with people who understand and support you. Simply explaining to your friends about this condition can help them understand your mood swings which can lead them to asking clarifying questions to repair any misunderstandings.

If you or someone you know is struggling with RSD, know that you're not alone. It's a real thing, and it's okay to seek help. It's time to break the silence and start talking about RSD. Let's support each other and make it known that RSD is just as important as ADHD.