Millions of American kids have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), with symptoms that can take a big toll on their everyday lives and their emotional wellness. Worse, most of those children also struggle with rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), which makes navigating social situations even more challenging.
At Nevada Pediatric Specialists, our team offers therapies for children with ADHD, including medication, lifestyle guidance, and referrals to specialists when needed. In this post, learn more about rejection sensitive dysphoria and what you can do to help your child enjoy greater confidence and a better quality of life.
ADHD involves a lot of social challenges and, unfortunately, a lot of misunderstandings that can make it especially difficult for children to gain acceptance with peers and even with some adults. For many kids with ADHD, that means they’re repeatedly confronted by rejection that in time can lead to a deep sense of failure. Your child may become primed for failure.
Not surprisingly, these feelings can cause intense emotional reactions — so intense that they comprise a surprisingly common ADHD complication known as rejection sensitive dysphoria. Nearly 100% of kids with ADHD experience RSD, along with feelings of extreme sadness, anxiety, loneliness, self-hatred, and low self-esteem.
Over time, a child with ADHD and RSD can become trapped in a cycle of depression and feelings of low self-worth that can take an additional toll on their psychosocial development. Taking steps to help your child manage both ADHD and RSD is important for enabling them to improve their emotional well-being and their ability to socialize and succeed in life.
If your child exhibits signs of RSD, there are some simple steps you can take to provide them with the support and compassion they need to navigate challenges and improve their outlook and their emotional wellness.
As a parent, you wield a lot of power in your child’s life, and that means you also have the opportunity to bring about positive, healthy changes. Let your child know that you understand what they’re experiencing and that their experiences are not uncommon.
Help them see you as an advocate who’s on their side, ready to support them and encourage them to navigate their feelings and experiences positively.
Kids who are fearful of rejection may also be afraid of speaking out when they’re feeling upset. Encourage your child to talk openly to you without worrying about judgment. Listen actively, and let your child understand they’re not alone in their journey.
Rejection is a strong emotion, and giving your child some options when they’re feeling upset can go a long way toward preventing outbursts. Teach your child to use deep breathing techniques, to count, or even to use a fidget toy to short-circuit negative reactions.
If your child is old enough, explain how keeping a journal can help them process their feelings and look for alternative ways to respond.
Many mental health practices that specialize in ADHD also offer social skills classes and group therapy sessions to help your child learn positive ways to interact with others. Role-playing at home can also help by giving your child a chance to practice responses in a safe environment.
Ask your child to pay close attention to their triggers — what causes them to feel rejected and how they feel when it happens. Developing deeper insight can help them learn new ways to frame situations in addition to developing an improved response system for future interactions.
Kids with ADHD have impulsivity traits that can lead to negative feedback from peers and even authority figures like teachers. Make sure your home is a haven of positivity and support.
Celebrate small victories with your child and always look for ways to provide plenty of praise. By being a strong advocate for your child, you become a source of strength and dependability that helps them navigate future challenges they may encounter.
Rejection sensitive dysphoria is a part of ADHD. Our team is skilled in helping kids with ADHD get the treatment they need to feel better about themselves now and as they grow and develop.
In addition to prescribing medication and recommending other treatments, we can provide referrals to mental health professionals who specialize in helping kids develop vital skills tailored to their personal needs.
If your child has ADHD or if they’re experiencing symptoms of ADHD or RSD, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Nevada Pediatric Specialists in Henderson and Las Vegas, Nevada, today.
