My Bridesmaid Did Not Invite Me to Her Wedding Reception, ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Navigating adult relationships can be difficult for anyone but, for people like myself who have ADHD, it can be particularly challenging.
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is characterized by extreme emotional sensitivity to being criticized or rejected, whether real or perceived. The word dysphoria is Greek for “difficult to bear”. RSD can affect anyone; however, studies suggest that people who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or autism are more susceptible to experiencing it.
People with ADHD often suffer emotional issues such as an inability to control our emotional responses or hypersensitivity. Intense emotions might explain why we have such a heightened response to rejection.
RSD can be explained as being overwhelmed by intense pain, that feels like it will last forever. If it comes from the unexpected; someone who you trusted, it feels like the ultimate betrayal. No one likes rejection, but for people with RSD, universal life experiences are much more severe compared to neurotypical individuals. Rejection for us is highly impairing and confronting.
