WOW Series: Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)

On this episode, it's a return to the Word of the Week (WOW) Series.
In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, I'm focusing on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD),  which frequently co-occurs with ADHD. 

• What is it?
• Why is it so frequently associated with ADHD?
• How does it impact individuals?
• How can you help?

Additional resources to find out more:
Dr. Megan Anna Neff Neurodivergent Insights 

Dr. William Dodson, Psychiatrist and Adult ADHD Specialist

Cleveland Clinic information on RSD

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Transcript

Jessica Kidwell 0:00

I'm Jessica Kidwell , and this is Neuroversity a space to expand our understanding of neurodiversity and elevate neurodivergent voices and experiences . I want to bring back an old series I started in season one . Do you remember the Word of the Week series ? That's where I share with you a term or phrase that impacts neurodivergent individuals or is often used when discussing neurodiversity in general . I want to bring that series back today and talk about rejection sensitive dysphoria , or RSD for short . This is a term that is closely associated with ADHD and , since October is ADHD Awareness Month , I think we should get more RSD aware . So , fellow curious minds , let's get started .

Jessica Kidwell 0:56

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria . When I first heard about RSD , I definitely didn't understand the full scope of it and , frankly , I may have even judged it as not being real . Luckily , in season one , episode 25 , I spoke with Lisa Hicks , a latent life diagnosed ADHDer and a neurodivergent life coach . Lisa helped me begin to understand RSD more , and I've come to realize that rejection sensitive dysphoria is not only real but extremely powerful and overwhelming . So now that I know better , I think I can do better at spreading the word about RSD . Before I dive in , it's extremely important to credit work , so I want to cite the resources I use for informing my understanding of RSD . I've cited their work on this podcast before and will always be grateful to Dr Megan Anna Neff for her neurodivergent insights blog and website . She recently focused on RSD and has significantly informed my knowledge on the subject . I additionally cite information from the Cleveland Clinic . All of these sites and subject matter experts are linked in the show notes and I encourage you to visit them to learn more .

Jessica Kidwell 2:21

To understand rejection sensitive dysphoria , we should first look at the shared human experience that is rejection sensitivity . Dr Neff describes this as directly linked to an evolutionary need for humans to belong as a means for survival and as a means to have physical and emotional connection . Belonging to a group was quite literally a survival technique Food , shelter , protection it was all easier as a collective . Therefore , as we seek to belong , we also have a sense of when we do not belong and that perceived or actual rejection from belonging can cause discomfort . That is rejection sensitivity , a very normative human experience , and in today's world , when we are not being chased by predators or fighting for daily survival , our need to belong shows up in relationships , in work , in our community , lots and lots of places , which also means there are lots and lots of opportunities for rejection sensitivity to show up . Disappointing a loved one , feeling iced out by a friend , failing at a project , not achieving a goal this all can trigger rejection sensitivity . So how does rejection sensitivity then become rejection sensitive dysphoria ? As a reminder , dysphoria indicates an intense feeling of discomfort or distress . So this means that for RSD , a person experiences intense feelings of discomfort or distress if there is an actual or even a perceived rejection .

Jessica Kidwell 4:18

Although not exclusive to ADHD , rejection sensitive dysphoria is very commonly found in those with an ADHD diagnosis , like we're talking . 99% of those with ADHD also have RSD . Why would that be ? Well , part of ADHD is heightened sensory receptors anyway . Sounds , sights , smells , tastes they can all be turned up to 11 on a 1 to 10 scale , and that includes less tangible senses as well Hyper focus , anyone . That's a heightened sense , so it tracks that rejection sensitivity could also be turned up to 11 .

Jessica Kidwell 5:04

In fact , many people with RSD report that they feel actual physical pain when they experience rejection , like a punch to the chest or stomach , and it is extremely difficult to regulate any emotional response to rejection or failure because those emotions are felt so intensely , while rejection , failure or even criticism can cause many people to feel embarrassed , self-conscious , angry or sad . If you have rejection , sensitive dysphoria , those feelings will be extremely intense , so much so that they may appear to other people as inappropriate levels of reaction , for instance , bursting into tears , yelling or snapping at someone , procrastinating or even not starting projects or tasks for fear of it not going right or not doing it right , conversely , having extreme perfectionist tendencies for any level of task or project , just so you make sure you don't fail . This is why someone with RSD may struggle in school , with interpersonal relationships , with anxiety or depression and being willing to try new things . And unfortunately , all of these responses can be caused not just by explicit failure or rejection , but also by perceived rejection or even possible failure . This fear of perceived rejection can cause a preoccupation with any potential criticisms and a near constant experience of worrying what others may think . Many people with RSD describe a hypervigilance to social cues happening around them , constantly scanning situations to see if a possible negative response is happening . This level of vigilance is exhausting and can cause many people to isolate themselves from social or work interactions in order to give themselves a break from that constant state of worry . And in work or school settings , perceived rejection can contribute to an unwillingness to try new subjects or projects because the fear of failure is just too large to overcome .

Jessica Kidwell 7:38

So what can be done about RSD ? Well , first and foremost , understanding that it is real is a good start . Instead of lumping these reactions into someone being overly dramatic or too sensitive or a hothead or needs to work on their self-esteem , maybe start with a curiosity about why the big reaction is happening . Remember , if you or someone you know has ADHD , there is a 99% chance that they also have rejection-sensitive dysphoria . So shifting the lens on how you see the reaction as being a part of how their brain is wired may lead to a place of sympathy or empathy as opposed to a knee-jerk judgment . To find out more about RSD , I highly recommend checking out Dr Neff's neurodivergent website , as well as looking up the studies done by Dr William Dodson . He is a board-certified psychiatrist and adult ADHD specialist . He is doing the most concrete studies about RSD and understanding its link to ADHD . I will link to information about Dr Dodson , as well as Dr Neff's website , in the show notes . I hope you found this episode helpful . I guess rejection-sensitive dysphoria isn't exactly a word of the week , more like a phrase of the week , but I guess if I just say RSD , then word of the week works as always . Feel free to reach out to me about today's show or any other topics that you'd like to hear about on Neuroversity . Alright , fellow curious minds , until next time . I hope you have a great week and I look forward to speaking to you again on another episode of Neuroversity .

Jessica Kidwell 9:33

Neuroversity is hosted and produced by Jessica Kidwell . Our audio engineer is Jarrett Nicolay at Mixtape Studios . Jarrett also created our theme music . Graphic Design for Neuroversity by Kevin Adkins . Web support is provided by George Fox . For more information about this episode , ways to support the podcast or anything related to Neuroversity , please visit our website at www . neuroversitypod . com . You can also follow us on your podcast app and social media sites . We are at NeuroversityPod on Instagram , twitter , linkedin and Facebook and if you like what we're doing , please tell others about Neuroversity and give us a review on Apple Podcasts . There's plenty of room for more curious minds to enroll .