Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and ADHD

[Quercus]

Hi everyone...

I was speaking to a friend today who asked me whether I had looked into or asked my psychiatrist about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.

She explained that it is common in people with ADHD (like me) to display an extreme reaction to perceived (or real) criticism and rejection.

What she described made me laugh (somewhat bitterly) because it described my thoughts and actions perfectly.

She talked about the reaction being so severe it triggers feelings of worthlessness and pain and even suicidal thoughts.

Has anyone else had experience with anything similar?

Nat

[White_Rose]

Hello Nat

Wow! I have never heard of this. Does it mainly affect people with ADHD or can it affect people without ADHD? Of course I needed to consult Dr Google to find out what it meant.

This forum is great for learning new aspects of our MH. I know a lot of what I read struck a chord with me. I must ask my psych.

Mary

[quirkywords]

Nat,

Thanks for this. I googled RSD and ADHD and found I score high in both tests but I know they are only tests .

Many of the symptoms of RSD and ADHD I can relate to so this is very interesting.

So is RSD only for people with ADHD?

I had my son say something to me recently which caused me a similar reaction to RSD, I wrote about this in mybthread Be yourself. I thought is is just me over reacting so I am interested.

The thing what is someone says something that is hurtful but may not be intended that way.

I experience feelings of worthlessness and pain especially when a loved one says something negative to me.

Nat, sometimes I think you are reading my mind as we think about similar topics at same time.

Also,I never knew there was a similarity between ADHD and bipolar.

Thanks for letting me know about this .

Quirky

[Ggrand]

Hello Nat, Mary and Quirky,

Wow, I just thought I was extremely over sensitive...I go down like a ton of bricks, with feelings of unworthyness, rejection when I get criticised or rejected anyone, let alone a loved one...Thoughts of SI, does raise its head because I'm constantly thinking that I'm unworthy of their love and time...I have been struggling so hard with RSD since for the second time my psychologist cancelled my appointment...I've never been tested nor diagnosed with ADHD. but I'm certain I also have that as well.....

Quirky I did read that on your thread, but didn't know how to answer because I have been told umpteen times before by hubby just how useless, bad, fat, ugly, I looked.etc and it hurt so really badly......my heart immediately went out to you....and I felt very sad that your sons friends could say that to your son..respect and acceptance of who we are is so important...

Reminds me of a women I know years ago, when my youngest was in school, her son, I think around 12 at the time turned around and told her "mumma you look ugly with grey hair, and them clothes you can colour your hair and get more clothes so you look beautiful like the other mums" then he refused to walk with her....that woman laughed it off, but the next day, she had coloured her hair and had different clothes on... she told me she cried all night because of her sons remarks, she told me her sons friends were making fun of her so he decided to speak up..very bluntly as well...Do you think they mean well in trying to help us get better or do you think are they embarrassed by us...

Thank you for an interesting thread Nat...

Kind and caring thoughts..

Grandy..