Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: How to Manage It?

The thing about RSD is that it’s actually usually a sub issue within neurodivergencies. It is MOST common in ADHD and autism, but doubley so if you happen to have both autism AND adhd. I have both, so I have RSD up the wazoo. RSD triggers episodes of severe emotional distress, and usually it’s not understood unless you yourself have it or are talking to someone who knows what they’re talking about. Luckily, my psych did! She helped me notice that I have these issues and how to manage my episodes. My RSD episodes usually go from nervous, to okay now I’m really REALLY angry, and then I end off really depressed.

Yes I have severe RSD! It affects about every aspect of my life from work, to friends. To family. To my relationship. Rsd is basically when my body considers something a rejection, rational or not, and triggers my fight or flight. Some good examples are criticism from my boss gets me so embarrassed shamed and afraid I am going to be hated by my coworkers and bosses that i will almost be crying and having a meltdown in the bathroom. Sometimes I DO have meltdowns from it. Lots of things you wouldn’t think are rejection feel that way, like criticism, or even just a safe person “acting differently” can make you feel rejected and trigger the body’s fight or flight. The biggest one is my relationship, if my boyfriend seems moody whether it’s because of me or not my body goes into panic mode and I am emotional, angry, sad, and afraid. Sometimes I even convince myself they’re gonna hate me.

It's not an actual diagnosis, it's just a good way to tell people how rejection makes you feel.

I think being upset when you're rejected is normal so I'm not convinced by the idea of rsd