What Is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) makes it harder to focus,

pay attention, and sit still. Most people who have ADHD are also very
sensitive to what other people think or say about them. This is sometimes
called rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).
"Dysphoria" comes from a Greek word that means “hard to bear." People
who have RSD don’t handle rejection well. They get very upset if they
think someone has shunned or criticized them, even if that’s not the case.
Up to 99% of teens and adults with ADHD are more sensitive than usual to
rejection. And nearly 1 in 3 say it's the hardest part of living with ADHD.

How Can RSD Affect Your Life?

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.
RSD can affect relationships with family, friends, or a romantic partner.
The belief that you're being rejected can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.
When you act differently toward the person you think has rejected you,
they may begin to do so for real.
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What Are the Signs?

People with RSD may:

 Be easily embarrassed
 Get very angry or have an emotional outburst when they feel like
someone has hurt or rejected them
 Set high standards for themselves they often can't meet
 Have low self-esteem
 Feel anxious, especially in social settings
 Have problems with relationships
 Stay away from social situations and withdraw from other people
 Feel like a failure because they haven't lived up to other people's
expectations
 Sometimes think about hurting themselves

Some of these symptoms are also common in other mental

healthconditions. RSD can be confused with:

 Bipolar disorder
 Borderline personality disorder
 Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
 Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
 Depression
 Social phobia

One difference is that RSD episodes are intense but don't last very long.
Because RSD can look like other mental health disorders, it's important to
get the right diagnosis. If you have ADHD and you've had any of these
symptoms, see a psychologist, counselor, or other mental health provider
for help.

What Causes RSD?

Doctors believe gene changes that are passed down through families cause
RSD. Serious trauma -- like abuse or neglect -- can make the symptoms
worse.
When you have ADHD, your nervous system overreacts to things from the
outside world. Any sense of rejection can set off your stress response and
cause an emotional reaction that's much more extreme than usual.
Sometimes the criticism or rejection is imagined, but not always. ADHD
researchers estimate that by age 12, children with ADHD get 20,000 more
negative messages about themselves than other kids their age. All that
criticism can take a real toll on their self-esteem.

How Is RSD Treated?

Two types of medicine work well to ease symptoms:

 Guanfacine (Intuniv) and clonidine (Kapvay) are drugs that

lower blood pressure, but they also help with RSD symptoms.
 Monoamine oxidase inhibitors like tranylcypromine (Parnate) treat
the inattention, impulsive behaviors, and emotional symptoms of
ADHD.

Therapy can help with other symptoms of ADHD, but it doesn't do much
for RSD. This is because RSD episodes happen suddenly and without
warning. But a therapist can help you learn how to get a handle on your
emotions and deal with rejection in a more positive way.
Another way to deal with RSD is to manage the stress in your life. You're
more likely to have an emotional breakdown when you're stressed out. Eat
right, sleep well, and do things like yoga or meditation to keep your mind
calm.