Can ADHD Adults Really Become Less Susceptible to Feeling Rejected?

DESCRIPTION: It’s true that ADHD adults can be more susceptible to feeling rejected and feel the rejection more intensely. But there are proven strategies to work with these feelings to reduce the intensity and times you feel rejected. Listen to see how you can do this. KEY TAKEAWAYS: * Feelings of rejection can be stronger for ADHD adults. * Some ADHD adults may have Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and need medication to treat this condition. * ADHD adults not suffering from RSD can work on shifting their mindset to manage their sensitivity to rejection. * It is also necessary to consider any comorbid conditions in designing a treatment plan. * Some may find it helpful to work with a therapist or ADHD coach to address their rejection sensitivity. RESOURCES: Article: New Insights Into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria by Dr. Dodson Book: Rejection Proof by Jia Jiang TRANSCRIPT: 00:00: While you may be more susceptible to feeling rejected because of your ADHD, adopting certain strategies will help you work with these feelings so they don’t hinder you from being and doing what you want. You’ve tuned into Scattered, Focused, Done – Reimagining Productivity with ADHD, a podcast for ADHD adults like you, who want to learn how to adopt the best strategies, tools, and skills to be able to get your essential work done in a way that works with the way your brain is wired. I’m Marla Cummins. And I’m glad you decided to join me today on this journey to reimagining productivity with ADHD. So you can get what is important to you done without trying to do it like everyone else. There are many contexts in which you may feel rejected. It might be when you don’t get invited to a party, are turned down for a job or someone doesn’t talk to you at a networking event. 01:02: You may also feel rejected when you don’t feel listened to, someone teases you, even if they intended it to be good natured, or it seems someone is ignoring you. In all of these instances, whether real or perceived, you don’t feel accepted or included. Regardless of the other person’s intention, you feel rejected. And this may have snowball effects, as you may end up saying or doing something in response, that’s just not in alignment with your values or your goals. While many ADHD adults are sensitive to feeling rejected for reasons which I’ll cover in a bit, there are some for whom feelings of rejection are intensely painful, even physically so. These ADHD adults may have rejection sensitive dysphoria, which ADHD expert Dr. William Dodson defines as: … a manifestation of emotional dysregulation, a common but misunderstood and under researched symptom of ADHD in adults. Individuals with RSD feel unbearable pain as a result of perceived or actual rejection, teasing or criticism that is not alleviated with cognitive or dialectical behavior therapy. 02:36: This last bit is important to understand if you think you have RSD. That is,