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How to deal with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)? Dysphoria Counseling


How to deal with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)? Dysphoria Counseling


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What is rejection-sensitive dysphoria?


The term "dysphoria" is derived from an ancient Greek word that refers to a strong, if not overwhelming, sense of pain or discomfort. When a person experiences rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD), they experience intense emotional pain. Despite the fact that rejection-sensitive dysphoria is not an officially recognized symptom or diagnosis, it is a term that experts use in conjunction with recognized conditions 


People struggle with letting go of past hurts and/or rejection, as well as having increased emotional sensitivity. They may remember hurtful words or actions directed at them for months or years. RSD can also be caused by a personal belief that you have disappointed someone. 


While most people dislike rejection, the negative feelings associated with RSD are stronger and can be more difficult to manage, or both. RSD patients are also more likely to interpret indistinct interactions as rejection and may struggle to control their reactions. When people think about ADHD, the first thing that comes to their mind is the inability to concentrate and focus and do work and fidgeting and things like that but people disregard very important symptoms.


Low self-esteem, avoidance of social situations, fear of failure, high expectations for oneself, frequent emotional outbursts after being hurt or rejected, feelings of hopelessness, approval-seeking behavior, anger and aggression in uncomfortable situations, and anxiety are typical symptoms of RSD. If you are searching for the “Best psychiatrist near me” for anxiety and depression”, connect with TalktoAngel, an online platform for mental health counseling, and find the best psychiatrist for you.


Social Anxiety versus Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 

Social Anxiety Disorder, an anxiety disorder within the DSM-5, is a very prevalent psychological disorder in India, the US, and other countries. There is preoccupation or distress to the preoccupied fear and worry of negative judgment by others.

In Social Anxiety disorder ("Social Phobia") people experience excessive fear in any social interaction, be it chit chat, small talk, or presentations. The discomfort or fear is high enough to avoid the interactions and consider them to be miserable. It is noted in certain people with Social Anxiety Disorder that they rely on to use of substances or anxiolytics in order to make the experiences of being less uncomfortable.

Social Anxiety Disorder has a subtype of the disorder in which a person has issues of discomfort only when they have to perform in social situations, indicating that it is not everyday social interactions that cause them significant discomfort or impairment, but rather situations where they are on display at public places.  It could be making a public appearance like lecturing, talking, music performances, sexual performances, and sports performances. It is a fact that the most talented public speaker, athletes, celebrities, or musicians can experience social anxiety or stage fright, which by definition, gets in the way of their functioning on a daily basis.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria has some similarities with Social Anxiety Disorder, and the two set of symptoms may occur in the same person and even contribute to each other. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria does have some differences from Social Anxiety Disorder.

In Social Anxiety Disorder people may feel worst around people they are not yet comfortable with, becoming preoccupied with potential discomfort when among strangers, for instance. However, the person with RSD, may not feel less distress with people who are closest to them when it comes to a feeling of rejection as their major concern. In fact, the feeling of rejection by a friend, relative, or loved one will likely hurt them a lot. Rejection-sensitive dysphoria counseling helps the client to overcome the challenges of rejection by their friends, relatives, and deer often it is better to have a consultation with a partner or family in couple counseling sessions.

Tips to deal with rejection-sensitive dysphoria


These tips may help to lower overall stress levels, making feel more at ease. This makes controlling your emotions easier


  • Getting regular exercise
  • Healthy balanced diet
  • Developing and sustaining healthy habits


Prioritize self-care - Stress and anxiety can exacerbate RSD symptoms. Finding ways to reduce your stress can aid in your adaptation to RSD. For stress and anxiety, if you are looking for the best Online Psychiatric consultation, feel free to connect with TalktoAngel, India's No. 1  online platform for all mental health concerns.


Be gentler with you - Everyone encounters failure and rejection at some point in their lives. Understanding and accepting this is a necessary part of managing rejection-sensitive dysphoria. 


If you find yourself experiencing these feelings, finding healthy ways to accept and process them can help you avoid having immediate reactions that you later wish you could change. You can consult the best psychologist in Dwarka, Janakpuri, Vasantkunj, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Noida, to take the necessary tips, skills, and techniques. 


Please be patient- Children with ADHD face challenges (for more information, see our article on what it means to be neurodivergent), and frequent criticism can aggravate the effects of RSD and make it feel much worse. It is recommended to seek teen counseling to overcome the challenges of rejection dysphoria of adolescents with the best Clinical Psychologist in India.