01/10/2025
We see & support around lots of this in our clients with ADHD, PTSD & Complex PTSD & this is a useful explanatory infographic on it ๐
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is when a person feels intense emotional pain related to rejection. The word โdysphoriaโ comes from an ancient Greek word that describes a strong โ if not overwhelming โ feeling of pain or discomfort. Though RSD isnโt an officially recognized symptom or diagnosis, itโs still a term that experts use in connection with recognized conditions.
While rejection is something people usually donโt like, the negative feelings that come with RSD are stronger and can be harder to manage or both. People with RSD are also more likely to interpret vague interactions as rejection and may find it difficult to control their reactions.
Experts arenโt sure exactly why RSD happens. But they suspect it involves issues with the structure of your brain and that it happens for similar reasons as ADHD.
Researchers do know that social rejection โ even when itโs vague or uncertain โ causes similar brain activity to pain. They also know that the brain of someone with ADHD doesnโt regulate internal communication the same way as the brain of someone without ADHD. The brain areas that filter and regulate signals arenโt as active. This means thereโs less of a filter on brain activity.
This difference in regulating internal communication is why people with ADHD commonly have trouble processing information from their senses. It also makes them prone to feeling overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights or sudden changes in whatโs happening around them. The brain of someone with ADHD might not be able to regulate pain-like activity, which would explain why rejection is so much more troubling and painful to someone with RSD. (CCleveland Clinicโค๏ธ)
Image LLived Experience Educatorโค๏ธ
