Online and In-Person Therapy for Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
When you hear criticism, do you hope to use the feedback to help you change and work toward achieving your goals or does criticism make you feel useless and not good enough? When someone says no to an invitation to hang out or for a date, does it seem like the end of the world? Does every small “failure” leave you feeling miserable and helpless? You may be dealing with something referred to as rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD). RSD is not a diagnosis. It’s an umbrella term describing a specific set of symptoms experienced by many people who are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If you’re one of the many teens or adults who are struggling with this symptom of ADHD, online therapy for rejection sensitivity dysphoria may be a good option for you. On this page, you can learn some of the basic details about therapy for RSD at Lakeside Counseling. You can also speak directly with one of our knowledgeable therapists by scheduling a consultation to discuss therapy for ADHD and RSD.
What Is Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria & How Is it Related to ADHD?
Most people are familiar with symptoms of ADHD like difficulty focusing on a task, inattentiveness, and struggling to sit still. However, these only scratch the surface of the myriad ways that ADHD can impact your life. Research indicates that as much as 99% of teens and adults who suffer from ADHD also deal with RSD. RSD is one of the most common symptoms of ADHD, and while many people have theories, it’s not necessarily known why RSD is linked to ADHD. This symptom of ADHD can cause people to strive constantly to make sure everyone likes them, and work to ensure people are always pleased with what they do. Other people struggling with RSD avoid situations where they may be judged by others, which can look like social phobia. RSD also negatively impacts relationships. Some people with RSD can’t let relationships go. They will bend over backwards to keep others happy. Others walk away from relationships at the first sign of trouble to avoid rejection.
Who Can Benefit from Therapy for RSD?
Many people who are diagnosed with ADHD think that treating symptoms like inattentiveness and hyperactivity “fixes” everything. Unfortunately, ADHD can also take a toll on the individual’s emotional and cognitive health and wellbeing. RSD is one of the many side effects of this. Therapy helps individuals dealing with RSD to learn strategies to manage, process, and cope with rejection sensitivity, low self-esteem, anger control issues, and other peripheral effects of ADHD.
What Happens During Therapy for RSD?
During therapy for RSD, your therapist will start by asking you about the ways that RSD impacts your daily life. Then, they’ll utilize evidence-based approaches to help you develop strategies and learn skills to manage the effects of RSD. Unfortunately, rejection is a part of life for everyone. You can’t control or anticipate what to expect from everything and everyone around you to avoid rejection, but with the help of your therapist, you will learn to control the way that criticism, rejection, and perceived dislike impacts your day.
Get Started with an Initial Appointment
At Lakeside Counseling, we begin the therapy process with a 55 minute intake session to explore the reasons you are seeking therapy and to set goals. When you’re ready to get started, we look forward to hearing from you.