Do you ever get told you are 'too sensitive' or 'too emotional'?
Rejection sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) can tell us the deeper story, we can work in therapy to build emotional resilience and self-understanding.
RSD is common for people who are Neurodivergent – that intense nagging (sometimes physically painful) feeling that you have been rejected, criticised or perceived as unlikeable… It can result in people pleasing, internalising, overwhelm, burnout and avoiding situations and relationships.
In therapy we can learn to re-frame negative thoughts and begin to separate your self-worth from the reactions of others (safely and at a comfortable pace).
The aim is to build resilience without judgement
Types of therapies that are particularly helpful include;
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) – Challenges irrational beliefs & reframe negative thought patterns
- DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy) – Focusses on emotional regulation, preventing overwhelming reactions and impulsivity.
- ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) – Encourages accepting difficult feelings without letting them dictate your actions.
- Integrative talking therapy which can incorporate many approaches more tailored to you including psychoeducation.
People with ADHD sometimes experience feelings of ‘being lazy’ or ‘not enough’ due to managing their condition such as; executive functioning, emotional regulation and energy managing, in a neuro-typical standard world.
It is easy to see how this connection can lead to rejection sensitivity and negatively impacting their self-worth. People with ADHD experience emotions more intensely and take longer to return to a neutral state.
This can have a big impact on daily life and anxiety levels.
If you would like counselling support from a neuro-affirming therapist, then you are welcome to reach out – Laura@LauraWilliamsCounselling.co.uk