Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria And White Supremacy Culture

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, while not listed in the DSM- 5, is commonly understood to be a prevalent feature of ADHD. Characterised by intense and painful (emotional and/or physical) experiences within the mindbody triggered by;

• rejection (the real or perceived withdrawal of love, approval, or respect)

• teasing

• criticism, no matter how constructive

• persistent self-criticism or negative self-talk prompted by a real or perceived failure

Something that is little understood by those who don’t experience RSD is just how disabling it can be. I was teased, mocked and bullied for being ‘too sensitive’ for ‘crying about everything’ and for taking criticism and rejection hard. Who is to say what the compound impact of bullying for experiencing RSD does to a person already experiencing RSD, but my anxiety around criticism, humiliation and rejection followed me far into adulthood and has contributed to physical illness, tumultuous relationships, and painful and scary experiences of navigating my survival of capitalism.