January 2023

RSD:  What ADHDers Can Do About Rejection Every day can feel like an uphill battle for those living with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). People with RSD experience intense emotional reactions to perceived or real criticism and rejection, making it difficult to regulate emotions and lead a balanced life.  It’s common for those with RSD to always be on the alert for rejection, feeling rejected even when there’s no evidence of it. As a result, comments from others can be taken too personally and cause much more of an emotional reaction than intended. This heightened emotional response might also lead to feelings of failure after any setback or mistake, regardless of how small or insignificant it may seem. One can feel like they never get any respect, like Rodney Dangerfield! In addition, people with RSD often fall into comparative thinking, making them feel that everyone around them is doing better. In contrast, their own accomplishments don’t matter at all. It’s not uncommon for those living with this condition to withdraw in social situations where criticism might occur or avoid seeking compliments because they might appear too good to be true. Though these feelings can be overwhelming and challenging to manage, it is possible to find ways to cope with RSD and live a fulfilled life without fear of rejection or criticism holding you back. Talk therapy is one helpful way to identify triggers and develop strategies for dealing with them; medication may also reduce the intensity of emotional reactions associated with RSD. With the right treatment plan – and plenty of self-care! – you can find peace despite its challenges. So how do you not feel like Rodney Dangerfield even though you may have RSD? 1. Take a step back from any situation that triggers your RSD, count to 10, and try to think objectively about it. 2. Remember that failing at something doesn’t indicate your worth as a person – it just means you can find another way to reach your goal. 3. Start small and build up from there – put little pressure on yourself in social situations or when trying to complete tasks. 4. Learn how to self-soothe by practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing and mindfulness meditation. 5. Focus on positive affirmations instead of negative ones – tell yourself that you’re capable and worthy, even if you don’t quite believe it yet. 6. Build your resilience by doing new things or challenging yourself with tasks that feel manageable but still inspiring (like trying out a new recipe). 7. Compliment yourself often – even if it doesn’t feel genuine initially, keep saying positive things until they sink in! 8. Practice gratitude – take time each day to acknowledge something good in your life, no matter how small it may seem. 9. Connect with people who understand what you’re going through – be open about how RSD affects your daily life so that others can provide support when needed (and vice versa). 10. Most importantly: treat yourself with kindness! You deserve love and respect no matter what anyone else thinks or says about you – even if that someone is you! RSD is a psychological disorder that affects how people interact with others socially. It can involve intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, self-loathing and even potential thoughts of self-harm as a result of perceived or real rejection. It’s important to know you aren’t alone in your struggles and that there are treatments available to help manage RSD. Remember, I am not a medical doctor, for medical matters, check with your MD! Dr. Get in Focus works with entrepreneurs to get in focus and skyrocket their productivity.  He is always willing to have a conversation with you to see if he can help.  His website is https://plusultrava.com  to take advantage of his training programs.  You can also order his book at  https://www.getinfocusbook.com/. Don’t wait; get in focus today!

Symptoms and Treatments for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) Do you feel like the world is out to get you? Do you find yourself constantly on edge, waiting for the next rejection or criticism? If so, you might be suffering from Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). RSD is a symptom of ADHD that causes an intense emotional reaction to perceived or actual criticism and rejection. It can cause difficulty in regulating emotions and lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and even anger. It is a psychological disorder that affects how people interact with others socially. It can involve intense feelings of sadness, anxiety, self-loathing, and even potential thoughts of self-harm as a result of perceived or real rejection. It’s important to know you aren’t alone in your struggles and that there are treatments available to help manage RSD. So how do you know if you have RSD? Here are ten signs that may indicate that you suffer from this condition: The Top Ten Symptoms: Intense sadness: People may experience feelings of profound personal failure and extreme sadness that can last for days or weeks at a time. Anxiety: People with RSD may experience increased anxiety levels which can manifest as restlessness, panic attacks, or stress. Self-loathing: Individuals often feel guilty, ashamed, and worthless due to the perceived or actual rejection they have experienced. Difficulty focusing: People may struggle to concentrate on tasks and activities.  This is true for anyone with ADHD. Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomach aches: Individuals with RSD may experience physical symptoms associated with the condition, such as headaches, nausea, and stomach aches. Thoughts of self-harm: People with RSD may have thoughts of harming themselves due to the intense emotional distress caused by the condition. Lack of motivation: Those who suffer from RSD can have difficulty finding motivation to do everyday tasks or engage in hobbies they previously enjoyed Irritability and anger: Individuals struggling with RSD can be quick to become irritable or angry in social situations due to their heightened sensitivity to being rejected. Avoidance of social situations and activities previously enjoyed: Due to the fear of being rejected and the experience of more intense mood symptoms, people suffering from RSD may avoid activities or social situations, they once had an interest in because it triggers feelings of inadequacy and rejection.  Low self-esteem: The fear and negative thoughts associated can cause individuals to develop low self-esteem, further contributing to feeling helpless and hopeless. If these symptoms sound familiar, don’t worry! There are ways to manage RSD and live a more balanced life despite its challenges. Talk therapy can help identify triggers and develop coping strategies for dealing with them. In contrast, medication can help reduce the intensity of emotional reactions associated with RSD. With the right treatment plan, you can live a fulfilled life without fear of rejection or criticism holding you back!  In my next article, I will be discussing some of the things you can do to mitigate RSD. Remember, though, I am not a medical doctor, so before embarking on any treatment for RSD, you may want to check with your Medical Doctor.  I am forever grateful to my doctor for what she has done for me over the years. Dr. Get in Focus works with entrepreneurs to get in focus and skyrocket their productivity.  He is always willing to have a conversation with you to see if he can help.  His website is https://plusultrava.com  to take advantage of his training programs.  You can also order his book at  https://www.getinfocusbook.com/. Don’t wait; get in focus today!  I am here to help you along the way! Sources: https://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria https://www.additudemag.com/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-and-adhd/ https://www.psychologytoday

In my last post (albeit a while back), I discussed Hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD. In this one, I will discuss Inattentive ADHD. With hyperactive-Impulsive ADHD, you may bounce all over the room, full of unfocused energy. Inattentive ADHD is much more subtle; you may often feel like people are talking about a topic you don’t understand. You may also need help staying on task, be disorganized, and have poor time management skills. If this sounds like you, don’t worry! You are not alone. In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms of Inattentive ADHD and how to deal with them. We will also provide some helpful tips for managing your disorder. Thanks for reading! Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD Inattentive ADHD, because of its subtlety, can be harder to diagnose. While the kid with hyperactive ADHD can’t sit still and constantly gets into trouble, the kid with inattentive ADHD is simply sitting quietly in the classroom, daydreaming away, unable to focus on the work. I remember constantly being told stuff like: “You need to pay better attention!” “Stop daydreaming!” “You are just lazy! You need to try better!” “You have no common sense whatsoever.” “What are you, stupid!” “If you just put things back in the same place, you wouldn’t lose them!” The first step in dealing with that is that all of the above are false. That lazy, stupid daydreamer without common sense, who couldn’t pay attention, is now a successful entrepreneur with a Ph.D. Symptoms of Inattentive ADHD There are a few critical symptoms of Inattentive ADHD. They are: Trouble paying attention to details or making careless mistakes Difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or conversations Appearing not to listen when spoken to directly Failing to follow through on instructions and failing to finish schoolwork or chores Trouble organizing tasks and activities Avoiding or procrastinating on tasks that require sustained mental effort Losing things necessary for tasks or activities Being easily distracted by irrelevant stimuli (look squirrel!) Being forgetful in daily activities. How to Deal With Inattentive ADHD So what can you do to deal with Inattentive ADHD? Remember, it is not your fault that your brain is structured differently, so forgive yourself for any perceived disability you may have. It is not your fault you have ADHD. When you accept that, it gives you the space to work with it. Forgive others who may have made you feel less of yourself due to this condition. Inattentive ADHD was not even identified as a separate pathology until the late 1980s. I was not even diagnosed until the 21st century, so your teachers, parents, and cohorts may have had no idea what was happening to you. Take breaks often when doing tasks that require sustained attention. Use the Pomodoro System to manage your tasks. Break tasks down into smaller, more manageable parts Use a task management system such as Trello to keep you and your team members on task (I cover this in-depth in my book, Get in Focus and Skyrocket Your Productivity: A Quick and Dirty Guide to Remote Work. Use a notebook to write down ideas and thoughts. Get plenty of exercise. Make sure to get enough sleep. We implement each point in my Get in Focus and Skyrocket your Productivity Challenge. If you are struggling with Inattentive ADHD, know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you manage your symptoms. With the proper support, you can lead a happy and successful life. Thanks for reading! Please leave any questions or comments below! And be sure to check back next week for our next blog post. Until then, take care! :)” Inattentive ADHD can be difficult to manage. Still, leading a happy and successful life with the right tools and strategies is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling with Inattentive ADHD, please reach out for help. There are many resources available to support you. Thanks for reading! Dr. Get in Focus works with entrepreneurs to get in focus and skyrocket their productivity.  He is always willing to have a conversation with you to see if he can help.  His website is https://plusultrava.com  to take advantage of his training programs.  You can also order his book at  https://www.getinfocusbook.com/. Don’t wait; get in focus today!