Some might have heard of RSD before. Very common with bipolar / ADHD. It explains a lot of things with me. Not that knowing about it is much help. I still freak out, and while I hate using it as an excuse for my behavior, I have a better understanding of the reason I feel like I do. I am working on regulation, but the pain of rejection is crippling.
I wish I didn’t behave like I do at times… I get hurt and scared, and I freak. I am always terribly sorry; I wish I had control… but it’s always too late, and Ive already done something to make them mad at me and take that last step to totally reject me now, even if they hadn’t before. I perceive everything as some sort of rejection, it seems, and my mind takes over. Making up things that were never there.
So then, I am now officially and totally rejected in reality, not just in my head. It sucks.
An important symptom of RSD is emotional dysregulation is the inability to regulate emotions. The feelings are of being overwhelmed, uncomfortable, or even emotionally in pain.
Symptoms of rejection-sensitive dysphoria
The key symptom of RSD is intense emotional pain. That pain usually has to be triggered by rejection or disapproval. However, people with RSD often have difficulty describing what it feels like because it’s so intense and unlike most other forms of pain (emotional or otherwise).
People with RSD often show the following traits and behaviors:
- It’s easy for them to feel embarrassed or self-conscious.
- They show signs of low self-esteem and trouble believing in themselves.
- They have trouble containing emotions when feeling rejected, which is often noticeable in children and teenagers with this condition. Some may react with sudden anger or rage, while others may cry.
- Some people with RSD may turn their feelings inward. These individuals become severely depressed, and sometimes, it’s mistaken for sudden emotional shifts that can happen with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder.
- They’re often “people pleasers” and become intensely focused on avoiding the disapproval of others.
- They start projects and tasks or set goals if they think of success.
- They compensate for fear of failure or rejection by going all-out or striving for perfectionism. However, the downside is that they often experience intense anxiety and may not easily prioritize self-care or downtime.
RSD happens in people with ADHD. It may be linked to other personality and mood disorders.
Distorted Clarity 