Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) is when someone experiences intense emotional and even physical pain after feeling a sense of rejection within their environment. This can often relate to one's performance or social interactions with others. When this occurs, people may feel as though they are a "failure," or may preventively overcompensate parts of themselves to avoid potential rejection from others.
RSD is very real, and can have some serious mental health related implications including low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, trauma, rumination, shame, and avoiding the things that you once enjoyed. RSD can be understood as an experience rather than a clinical diagnosis. However, RSD is often associated with other mental health diagnoses and conditions found in the DSM-5, including ADHD and autism.
As someone who personally experiences RSD, for me it can be hard to stop ruminating over the situation or interaction that triggered it, which enhances the shame and stress levels. Mindfulness and self-compassion can be helpful at times. Sometimes talking with a person you can trust can provide some relief.
I've noticed both personally and professionally that it can feel unhelpful to minimize how someone is feeling after being triggered, or to rush towards what we can do to "fix" or manage it right away. We want to acknowledge how painful it can feel first, and why it might feel so painful, before we discuss coping.
Do you experience stress associated with RSD? Are you incredibly hard on yourself when you experience shame or a sense of failure within your environment? As a neurodivergent affirming therapist, I specialize in understanding and supporting the themes related to Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria.
Source: Bonior, A. (2019). What Is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria? Psychology Today.