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If you are neurodiverse, have ADHD, ASD, SPD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia etc, and have a melancholy personality temperament, it is very likely you struggle with rejection sensitivity dysphoria. You may have been told that you are over-sensitive or variations thereof.
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria is condition in which someone becomes highly sensitive to criticism, correction, rejection and misunderstandings in social cues. It is important to help someone who struggles with RSD to be aware of their RSD triggers and reactions, because RSD can significantly impact a person's mental health, self esteem, anxiety levels and cognitive and social functioning.
More infomation:
If you want to understand more about RSD, specifically its effect on people with ADHD, visit ADHD - alien. I am going to show you some of the amazing poster comics ADHD - alien has created but you will need to visit their site to get the full information. http://patreon.com/adhd_alien/ and https://www.facebook.com/adhdalien
If you or someone you know experiences the following you likely have RSD.
How to recognise Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria.
My daughter and I experience each of these. My daughter in particular, catastrophises and hyperfocus on negativity at this stage and has begun freezing or avoiding when her RSD is trigger. I was the same when I was her age and because people didn't know about RSD it was untreated. I didn't start to be able to cope with my RSD until my late 20's and I didn't start to be able to stop RSD in its tracks until by early 40's after my Autism diagnosis.
My RSD lead to intrusive thoughts (repetitive obsessive often negative thoughts) which had significant effects on my mental health and social anxiety. It is for this reason that it was important for us to help my daughter recognise, cope with and eventually stop her RSD before it could negatively impact her life in any damaging her way.
Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria impact on Neurodivergent people.
Coping with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
There is a full 3 page poster set on ADHD - alien about coping with RSD, but as someone with ASD I already naturally did the first two pages as masking strategies which includes scripting and creating space where possible. Please check them out as they may be helpful to you. The 3rd page for me was very important as a way of stopping my RSD in its tracks. The process of detective thinking to correct your errant thinking and replace it with realistic thinking.
Recognising, coping with and stopping RSD in its tracks is the only way those with RSD can have full control over their lives and social situations. RSD can be extremely disabling and dealing with it can be life changing.
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