Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is increasingly being recognised as a significant emotional challenge for many individuals, particularly those diagnosed with ADHD. This often debilitating condition can cause profound distress in response to perceived criticism or rejection, leading to intense physical and emotional reactions. Individuals like Jenna Turnbull, a civil servant from Cardiff, share their personal experiences to shed light on this complex issue, highlighting the need for greater awareness and understanding.
The Weight of Rejection
For 36-year-old Jenna Turnbull, memories of childhood teasing remain vivid and painful. A comment made by a classmate about her appearance during a PE lesson still triggers feelings of shame decades later. “My chest feels like it’s collapsing,” she explains, recalling the moment with palpable discomfort. Despite knowing rationally that the incident was trivial, the emotional fallout has lingered, illustrating the profound impact RSD can have on daily life.
Turnbull recounts another painful experience from a night out with friends, where a seemingly innocuous comment about her housekeeping triggered a wave of shame and compulsive behaviour. “I started cleaning obsessively,” she says, revealing how her self-worth became tied to how others perceived her.
These episodes culminated in a mental health crisis during her divorce proceedings in 2022, prompting her to seek help from a crisis line. The nurse she spoke with suggested that her experiences could be linked to RSD, a term Turnbull had never encountered before. “Just putting a name to it was the big thing,” she reflects, marking the beginning of her journey towards understanding her condition.
The Science Behind RSD
While RSD is not formally recognised as a standalone diagnosis, it is often associated with ADHD. Experts like Dr William Dodson, a psychiatrist based in Denver, have studied this phenomenon extensively. He describes RSD as an intense emotional response to perceived rejection that can feel unbearable. “This is something that is just several orders of magnitude stronger than everyday rejection,” he explains, noting the disproportionate pain experienced by those with RSD.
Research has only recently begun to explore the emotional dysregulation linked to ADHD, shedding light on how many individuals unknowingly suffer from RSD. Those with autism and generalised anxiety disorder may also experience similar sensitivities, but the exact mechanisms remain poorly understood.
Historically, the term RSD has been around since the 1960s, but awareness has surged in recent years, partly due to social media. Online support groups, such as a Facebook group boasting over 67,000 members, have fostered community and understanding among those grappling with these overwhelming emotions.
Navigating the Challenges of RSD
The impact of RSD can be profound, often leading individuals to alter their behaviour to avoid the feelings of shame and rejection. Turnbull describes how her reactions have shaped her interactions at work and in her personal life. “I’ve been known to spend hours cleaning my bathroom,” she admits, a coping mechanism that ultimately contributed to her diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Similarly, Lauren O’Carroll, a 41-year-old coach from Cambridge, shares her struggles with RSD, revealing that she often lies to avoid admitting mistakes, a behaviour ingrained from childhood experiences of shame. “I would feel super angry, super hard done by,” she recalls, illustrating how deeply these feelings can affect one’s sense of self.
Dr Shyamal Mashru, a consultant psychiatrist in London, notes that many patients experience physical symptoms such as breathlessness or palpitations in response to emotional triggers. “They’re going through lots of mini traumas that just keep hammering away at their self-esteem,” he explains.
Finding Support and Solutions
For those coping with RSD, support is essential. Therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioural therapy and medication, can help manage symptoms and improve emotional regulation. Turnbull shares her own progress, noting that therapy has enabled her to understand and ground herself in moments of distress. “It has helped me to stop escalating quite as badly,” she says, highlighting the importance of self-awareness in her journey.
Additionally, medication like alpha-2 agonists, typically used to treat high blood pressure, has shown promise in alleviating RSD symptoms, although they are not commonly prescribed in the UK. For many, a combination of therapy and medication is key to managing the condition.
Why it Matters
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria has profound implications for mental health, shaping how individuals navigate their relationships and careers. As more people share their experiences, it becomes increasingly clear that understanding and compassion are vital in addressing this often-overlooked condition. By fostering awareness and advocating for appropriate support, society can help those affected by RSD reclaim their lives and break free from the debilitating cycle of shame and fear.
