Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is extreme emotional sensitivity and emotional pain triggered by the perception that a person has been rejected, teased, or criticized by important people in their life. It can also be brought on by failure (actual or perceived) or falling short; often of someone’s own extremely high standards or perfectionism.
RSD is considered an ADHD thing by many, but that may not be the whole story.
I have noticed that clients with ASD seem to be experiencing something similar. So I jumped on my computer to see if there is a connection.
I found many anecdotal stories on blogs, and on question and answer websites from people with ASD who felt like the more they hear/learn, the more, it sounded like how they were feeling. Many of the answers to these question believed it was possible that RSD was occurring in the ASD community. What I didn’t find is substantial research that links the two.
I think it is worth mentioning that about 30-80% of children with autism also meet the criteria for ADHD and 20-50% of children with ADHD meet the criteria for ASD. That is a sizable overlap. Scientists are researching a possible link from ADHD and ASD being a single condition to having shared causation. It looks like we are a ways off from definitive findings, but research may lead to new treatments. According to William Dodson, M.D. who specializes in both ADHD and ASD, The ADHD and ASD are “conditions that happen to be found together much more frequently than would be expected by chance alone.”
These children grow into adults with ADHD or ASD. Often with RSD or something similar.
Emotionally supporting them or yourself is essential.
What can be done to help:
- Talk to your doctor, therapist or psychiatrist about your feelings
- Learn about your RSD (and ASD) – the more people understand about themselves, the better they feel
- Build a support team Read more about what your support team should look like and who you want on your team
- Self-care – eat, sleep and exercise, engage in activities you enjoy and ask for help or support when needed
- Medication – there are two that I know of that are used to lessen the feeling of RSD. But again, I am not a doctor so talk to your doctor.
