What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): what is it and how can we deal with it?
No one enjoys being rejected; it’s upsetting, and can be emotionally painful. But most of us are able to recover from rejection fairly quickly, without having it affect our other relationships or our mental health. We can lean on friends and family, and our stock pile of resilience to get us through. But not everyone is able to bounce back like that, and many experience what is called rejection sensitive dysphoria, which is an intense emotional reaction to any real or perceived rejection. RSD can happen as a result of someone criticizing us, but it can also occur when we fail to meet our own expectations or feel like we have fallen short of our goals. Any shortcoming pointed out by ourselves or someone else feels extremely painful and can cause us to lash out or shut down.
00:00 Start
00:25 WHAT IS Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)
01:24 WHAT RSD CAN THIS LOOK LIKE IRL
03:58 IS RSD LINKED TO MENTAL ILLNESSES?
05:07 HOW CAN WE OVERCOME RSD?
07:27 WHAT IF THERAPY DOESN’T WORK? & RESEARCH ARTICLES
08:18 OUTRO
RESEARCH ARTICLES
www.additudemag.com/rejection...
socialcognition3330n.wordpres...
www.additudemag.com/rejection...
www.goodtherapy.org/blog/more...
I'm Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos!
#katimorton #therapist #therapy
**ORDERING KATI'S BOOKS**
TRAUMATIZED
Available for preorder in print, ebook & audiobook
geni.us/Bfak0j Order Yours Today!
Are u ok?
In stores now: bit.ly/2s0mULy
JOURNALING CLUB
Every Tuesday & Friday I post a journal prompt to help keep you motivated and working on yourself. Whether you add the prompts to your own journal at home or use the comment section under the prompt itself, this can be a great way to keep on track with journaling. Join here: kzbin.infojoin
ONLINE THERAPY
I do not currently offer online therapy. BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online counselor, please visit: betterhelp.com/kati
I receive commissions on referrals and recommend services I know and trust.
MY AMAZON RECOMMENDATIONS www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton
PATREON
Are you interested in supporting the creation of mental health videos? If so, please visit: www.katimorton.com/kati-morto...
PODCASTS
Opinions That Don't Matter! & Ask Kati Anything!
video: / opinionsthatdontmatter
Audio versions:
opinonsthatdontmatter.buzzspr...
askkatianything.buzzsprout.com/
BUSINESS EMAIL: Linnea Toney [e-mail]
PLEASE READ
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room. MY BOOKS (in stores now)
Traumatized geni.us/Bfak0j
Are u ok? bit.ly/2s0mULy
ONLINE THERAPY
While I do not currently offer online therapy, BetterHelp can connect you with a licensed, online therapist, please visit: betterhelp.com/kati
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @katimorton
PATREON www.katimorton.com/kati-morto...
YOU CAN SUPPORT THE CHANNEL BY SHOPPING WITH OUR AFFILIATE LINKS
Instacart: www.instacart.oloiyb.net/y2j2GB
Amazon: www.amazon.com/shop/katimorton
PARTNERSHIP
Linnea Toney [e-mail]
PLEASE READ
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call a local emergency telephone number or go immediately to the nearest emergency room.

[@airohwalker2478]

Any time anyone criticizes me in a rude or unempathetic way I feel so much shame for anything I could have done wrong at any point. It makes me feel worthless and it physically hurts even if I know the criticism isn’t the end of the world

[@tavaruswilliams3146]

I understand this soo much.

[@airohwalker2478]

@@tavaruswilliams3146 thank you, it makes me feel a little better to know I’m not alone in battling with this

[@lacecurtainirish]

It’s something that I struggle with but it has helped me to consider that the people that do that are broken too. It’s not really about me. They’re projecting and as an empath and abuse survivor, I’m an easy target. We can’t change their behavior but we can work on our own perspective of it. I hope that makes sense.

[@beatrixthegreat1138]

My sister and now ex had this thing where I’d say something then look at me like I was crazy... never failed to make me second guess myself.

[@katmatally]

Sometimes it's good to speak to the person in a respectful way, as in, "I feel that your criticism of me was overly harsh. Do you have a way to give me more helpful feedback?"

[@theoneandonline]

I love how you always use "we", even if you don't mean to include yourself literally. It makes me feel so welcome and accepted.

[@ranc1977]

That is why Humanistic psychology works - it is based on validation and acceptance, client based therapy. CBT on the other hand is therapy of ableism, CBT is form of narcissistic abuse gaslighting - it is relentless criticism and CBT will make RSD much much worse.

[@sandyinkwiggyyassqueen2181]

Rejection releases the same physical and chemical reaction in the body as physical pain. That says everything.

[@colonelb]

YES - which is also why things like Clonidine work, many times this sort of thing is just "chemicals in the brain" even if there isn't a good reason to feel rejected. (that's the dysphoria part) - I have RSD and Clonidine has helped me a ton. The pain signal is just a fancy "check oil light" in your brain saying "hey Sandy, something is wrong right now, go figure it out, maybe it's a bear chewing on your leg, maybe you're feeling rejected, I'm busy and can't be bothered to differentiate the two, you go figure it out"

[@jonjeskie5234]

@@colonelb you have to start with the question "what is pain"?

[@colonelb]

@@jonjeskie5234 Yeah good point, there's physical pain, emotional pain, and sometimes especially if the root cause is chemical in nature, those can overlap in a hard to sort out way

[@RobSalamander]

@@jonjeskie5234 and that is a deep question. If we stop separating mind and body, pain is pain is pain. I find both troublesome. When I am practicing meditations for my chronic back pain, I am encouraged to breath and just non-judgementally experience all sensations, including what is happening in my spine. By not judging it as good or bad, it seems to remove the sense of suffering. So something that I would have described as a hot, electrified knife being twisted into my lumbar region it becomes a tingling warmth and pleasant…..weird. Pain, as all sensations and experiences are in the mind. Doesn’t mean it’s made up pain. Ive MRI’s and CT scans to prove my reality, rods and screws. Scans dont show how we feel about them though. I do use pain relief as well, less than I would if I didn’t meditate and change my mindset. Seems to help.

[@travontyrichardson3275]

@@colonelb l

[@duckaline1883]

Not me literally being to scared to even try to make friends or try my actual best at something because of the crippling fear I’d fail

[@legallyredone5561]

Absolutely! I have stopped trying things out of fear of rejection! I used to be known for my flowerbeds, now I am afraid to go outside just to walk my dog for fear I might be judged because my hair isn't styled or my dog pooped on the common area lawn & I picked it up but now I will be blamed for all other dog's poops. I mean, I know it isn't rational, but I compare myself so much to others and even to my past self. Or, as Katie has enlightened me, the "self" which was an exhausting act. I often said in therapy that I didn't actually know the real me b/c it varied for each circumstance. Thank you, Katie, for making me aware of this! Never, ever heard of this. I thought I was the only one who experiences this and believed it was just BPD. So.... action opposite to emotion right now? I am going to take my dog outside.... because I don't want to.

[@sarahg2653]

I feel ya. If we never try, we can never fail.

[@smooth_pursuit]

This happens in the stupidest places, like not being able to return a shopping item... as if it’s personal smh

[@tarap.m2376]

I FEEL THIS! i always dread going to new places, interviews, etc, because i’m afraid of getting lost or being judged for something small, like me not understanding a question, etc. It’s debilitating 😩

[@sarahg2653]

Dude. I'm the same way. I walk on eggshells feeling as if I'm putting other people out. I could be served the complete wrong meal at a restaurant and I won't return it. I just eat it and smile. My fiance, god love him, will sometimes intervene for me in situations such as that.

[@sammythehamster9093]

I feel the same way too it's hard for me to have conversation with anyone for fear they will start attacking me. I worked in number of customer service roles it's horrible the customer can be rude and expected an answer now. Main problem is not getting enough sleep since commute is very long. Last job was in Admin with telephone call taking. There one bad call which I was signed off for month. The company offers counselling which helped and I use mental health app to manage my anxiety. Pandemic made anxiety worse not helping by my nephew staying over for 5-6 days, waking me up in mornings constant talking. This proof his parents are too stupid to look after me. I want to say something but worried of facing backclash. Like expected of me to bottle my emotions till I explode. We all have limits. Reached the point there are moments I feel sucidal. I was on medication for me sleep only for short term and has nasty side effects. Lack of sleep plus stress affects my skin as whatever you feel on inside shows up on outside. I hope to move away far away from my toxic unhelpful family.

[@jacobmarshall5391]

@@sammythehamster9093 what mental health app are you using. I didn't know that there were such things. It seems like something I might could benefit from, or at least check it out, and see what it's all about.

[@chrissimon4434]

Here I thought I was the only one😆😂

[@DMills-un1tl]

She just nailed me. I worried that I was a narcissist because of my aversion to rejection. So much aversion that I haven’t dated in 9 years, don’t socialize, and over achieve at work so as not to be criticized. But narcissism doesn’t play out with my desire to help others and do animal rescue, etc. now this thing, where I tell myself I’m not good enough and avoid people as a result has a name RSD, hmmm 🤔

[@mandymcdorman705]

Watch out for overachieving at work. If you’re constantly outdoing your superiors, you could be in for a world of trouble. Bosses are often insecure too, and they want to feel like they deserve their role. Anyone who threatens their security is going to be tossed aside. I’ve had firsthand experience with this unfortunately. I didn’t realize what was happening until I left

[@TanvirSingh500]

If Your so worried about being a narcissist that you haven't dated in 9 years, Then Your Definetly not a narcissist hun. Your more of an Empath instead, the opposite of a narcissist. Maybe Narcissists in your life have gaslighted you to believe you are a narcissist.

[@beautifulspacesllc]

OMG SAME

[@TanvirSingh500]

@@beautifulspacesllc Your not a narcissist either then, your more of an Empath as well most likely. I encourage you to read about what an Empath is to see if you're one.

[@veganmeditations]

I feel EXACTLY the same! I've avoided social situations or moving up at work (just sticking to what I know and really doing the best work I can so as not to get criticized). And that's awesome you do animal rescue! That's my passion too :)

[@theadhdmind9419]

Very well explained! RSD is sooo common in ADHD. I thought I was the only one to feel that way. Now it all makes sense :)

[@hanneborcht7804]

Same, I have ADD and the first time I met a therapist I was so overstressed because I didn't know how to react and act because I am a people pleaser and didn't know how she wanted me to act.

[@cedricburkhart3738]

It sounds really horrible I can't imagine being soooo sensitive to criticism I get yelled and and called an idiot about every work day.🤷‍♂️ I don't know how I would handle it if I couldn't take criticism.

[@aaronmann9442]

Me too

[@lgamble]

@@cedricburkhart3738 Please leave that job. You don’t need to be treated that way!

[@cedricburkhart3738]

@@lgamble Well I have been here for 4 years now so I think I can handle it besides I don't know what else I would do.🤷‍♂️ I was never good in school. I can't really spell and I'm really bad at math.

[@euricequeen842]

I honestly can't handle rejection very well. I don't recover quickly. I wish i did.

[@Katimorton]

You're not alone.. it's very common, and I hope some of the tips offered in the video are helpful :) xoxox

[@Lindie231]

​@@Katimorton This was incredibly helpful. I've never felt so... seen and understood. thank you so much. @EuRice Queen, I am the exact same way and didn't realize what it was till now

[@cedricburkhart3738]

I can handle rejection why am I difrent? Was it because my parents loved me? I think criticism hurts me if it's from someone I really care about and respect.🤔 It can make me feel sad ashamed and afraid and even angry. Well I feel angry more if I don't feel it was a fair criticism. If I think it's fair I kinda feel sad and ashamed.

[@timothypuvogel5468]

@@Katimorton I have a question for you keri..but not about this..where can I write you? Serious question..ty keri..I enjoy your videos.

[@monroemadison3920]

Yup

[@ashleyarias7444]

Every rejection or perceived rejection feels like a death with all the grief of a serious loss every single time no matter how big or small the rejection is. Then you get extremely pissed off at your brain for not being capable of reacting “normally” to rejection and not being able to brush it off like neurotypical people. So much grief, pain, and anger

[@ethaniel_tweedy]

It makes me want to cry finally hearing someone put a name and explanation to thoughts and feelings that I just can't understand or express. After so many years. Thank you.

[@chrissimon4434]

I couldn’t put it better myself!

[@vanshome7612]

ikr, same

[@rv706]

That's a made-up word, it's not a thing. Look up "social phobia" or "vulnerable narcissism" instead.

[@ranc1977]

Yep! And CBT bans information about Complex Trauma. It is recognized by WHO's ICD-11. RSD is not diagnosis. We need to be careful with CBT - it is extremely dangerous and misused therapy that is doing more damage than good.

[@quijybojanklebits8750]

​@@rv706 howabout you learn about Hou the lack of dopamine plays a role in gratification and the feeling of success. People with adhd and to an extent have a lack of this neurotransmitter aswell as others like norepinephrine. The conditions you pressed are also comorbid symptoms for the syndromes like adhd and asd. I have both but am considered, "gifted" yet I hate the term because I don't see being depressed and scared of people as a gift especially when I'm considered attractive and have an inability to act on my attractiveness unless I'm 100% sure I'll attain a decently positive response. You're ignorant of the harsh reality of people's interpretations of the the world and the prevalence of that subjective worldview or its impact on the productivity of an individual or the sheer weight the condition bears. I hate my intelligence and I'd give it up for social intelligence. I am able to mask the problems I have but only to an outward appearance. I fail at social interactions, can't make eye contact, always say yes to please people, sacrifice myself for others, hide my emotions and ironically understand others emotions despite being autistic. No joke, I hate my Condition and have wanted to delete my self from the universe because of the loneliness I get to experience day in and day out. And to further my claim to attractiveness though I think I'm not is that I'm 5'9" 150lbs and a gymnast and in relatively good shape for a 36yro.

[@voidstarq]

Re. "HALT" -- a great thing I recently saw is: "If you feel like everybody hates you, you probably need to sleep. If you feel like you hate everybody, you probably need to eat."

[@loueejackson6189]

If I’m angry…. I probably need to eat, too 😂

[@unowen7416]

This is interesting, but what if you have some types of eating addictions and disorders? I'm trying to steer clear of food as a problem solver, when it makes everything worse for me.

[@voidstarq]

@@unowen7416 Fair enough. It's referring to the crabby, irritable mood that comes from low blood sugar when you miss a meal. The idea is you want to be able to recognize what that feels like, and "you feel like you hate everybody" is as good a description as I've seen. It's not meant to encourage dealing with bad feelings through emotional eating, but I can see how the similarity to that would make it extra difficult.

[@gdcompton1920]

Funny this should pop up as I'm laying on my bed, trying to parent myself through a (perceived?) rejection scenario. I was emotionally neglected and abused in my younger years, up into early adulthood. Rejection, feeling I've fallen short in any aspect and disappointing people is excruciatingly painful and difficult for me. I am a recovering people pleaser. Thankfully I have a therapy appointment on Friday. 😐

[@kandice6777]

i feel this all too well 🥺 you got this! 💕

[@nala9750]

Same I felt this way just this weekend and this morning I felt I've let everyone down, and that I'm just not good enough, it is extrememly painful and difficult and I didn't know RSD was a thing until now, So i guess this video was meant for me to see. makes me feel abit better that I'm not losing it, and I just have a lot of pain about something somewhere and I'm not seeing it.

[@williamrayburn5314]

Good luck on your journey, be well. 🙂

[@yousraabdelrahman4548]

I think I resonate with this as I was bullied a lot in school, my family weren't bad at all so I think the only place this stems from is school, kindergarten specifically

[@cassandrayazzie6444]

Recovering people pleaser here and I am living for my therapy sessions nowadays. I feel so hurt from the rejection I’m going through that I actually contemplate running away from everyone and if I could, myself as well. 😔 We will continue on this healing journey. ♥️

[@lauragadille3384]

Yes rejection hurts, when all of your life you've been rejected by family, friends, jobs, etc.

[@jclyntoledo]

Yes I always contributed it to my abandonment issues and social anxiety (not disorder) issues

[@Boudicaisback]

One time I got denied a job at an interview because I "looked to depressed "

[@lauragadille3384]

@@Boudicaisback Don't feel alone, I looked too desperate.

[@Boudicaisback]

@Icewulf the worst part is this was for a fast food restaurant. Yeah I was depressed and I was trying really hard to hide it

[@VictoriaWonders]

yes it leaves you on social beneifts

[@marileadufresne9092]

Kati: Most of us can recover from rejection quickly. Me: Wait, what????

[@TerryOffDairy]

My father showed zero interest in us as kids, and I think that’s caused a lot of this kind of thing in my adult life. I always seem to be hyper vigilant about friends and family disowning me. In social situations, I act like a total extroverted comedian, trying to make everyone laugh so they’ll like me. It’s exhausting but I can’t seem to help it. And when I perceive someone doesn’t value me, I always have to fight the urge to cut that relationship off before they hurt me. It’s like “ILL do the walking away, not them.” But it’s bullshit. LoL. Christ my brain! Thanks for the video, I always just referred to it as “fear of abandonment” but this is a little more specific.

[@MrBungle900]

I lived my life with the belief that if I didn’t try, I wouldn’t feel the pain of rejection or failure. This kept me safe and small and invisible and in deep emotional pain. Only realising that the pain was there to tell me something I really needed to hear. It’s not been easy and it still stings but trying new things and failing has been enormously helpful for me. Rejection or perceived rejection from others though - that’s still crippling. I still have no friends and spend every evening alone. I would love to change this one day and have genuine social interactions with people that care about me. Huge love to all my fellow RSD sufferers out there. 🙌✨♥️

[@colonelb]

I've had this too - I was in my late 30s before I was diagnosed with ADHD, RSD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder, and in some ways it was a HUGE relief and things like all the things I avoided made a ton of sense. But, one thing that seems to happen as you get older (I'm in my mid 40s now) is that at SOME point, the regret of "all the things I didn't do" gets to be larger than the fear of "what if I fail" and that sucks in one way but also is motivating in another, sort of a "hell, I've wasted half my life being afraid, am I going to waste the other half too?" Hell, that's why I'm even writing you back right now TBH, but you start building a tiny bit of momentum in that direction, baby steps, and it gets easier.

[@barbaramartinscorreamarque3494]

Sending love to you Edward. ❤

[@ranc1977]

@@colonelb "diagnosed with ADHD, RSD" RSD is not diagnosis.

[@ranc1977]

Yep. We are told via CBT that our thoughts are sick and abnormal - and that we must fix our thinking. What happens in reality - is that with this CBT "advice" we destroy our self worth and create severe personality disorder because we think deep down our character is abnormal. CBT must be banned and those in authority must go to prison for misdiagnosis and keeping RSD away from light. Social anxiety is still being explained away as disorder. Nobody connects it with RSD. just check wikipedia or random google web pages or 99 percent of you tube videos.

[@GK-qc5ry]

I didn't know that RSD was linked to a fear of failure. I always have lots of self doubt as to whether I can deliver in a promotion and a fear of failure prevents me applying.

[@colonelb]

One thing that can also help with that (I have RSD as well) - is in the case of something like a new job: If you do nothing, you "won't get the job" - so if you try for it, you'll either still "not get the job" or "get the job" - so your situation will either stay the same or get better, it won't get worse (you already don't have the job if you don't try) It's normal to think that the cost of doing nothing is zero, but doing nothing has a cost too, it just may not be as obvious or immediate

[@ranc1977]

Discovery of RSD is the same as decoding DNA genome. We will know exactly what is problem, what to look at, what to fix . as oppose to listen to faulty CBT which "explains" that our mind is sick and abnormal.

[@KingJellyfishII]

I'm scared that KZbin recommended this to me... I think it knows me better than I do

[@miss_aery]

Basically everything Kati said, applies to me. But the more I investigate the issue, the more I think, that my fear of rejection or failure isn't the main thing, its more about the way people interact with me. It's the fear to be subject to someones anger or aggression, someone being mean or abusive. If someone rejects me in an nice and honest way I actually don't have a huge problem.

[@vlst8715]

Very good point! When someone rejects or criticizes me politely or neutrally, I don't think I really care about it much at all. Because I know I can fix my shortcomings. Don't care about praise either. But the constant irrational toxicity is what eventually made me isolate myself from the outside world. Isolation is like a mental hygiene for me, it has improved my well-being, but then sometimes I witness someone else being abused for some petty reason and it declines again. So my guess is it may not be all about self-worth issues either.

[@baronsengir187]

With me it does not matter how it is framed. Polite or otherwhise. It does not even have to be a "real" rejection. Just picking up a phone during a movie, watched together, can cause me to cancel all social gatherings with unrelated people for a few weeks because it stresses and tires me out that much...The closer i am to that person the worse it gets so i tend to not let anybody close enough for a deep relationship which causes lonlyness. Vicious circle.

[@ranc1977]

Excellent comment.

[@ranc1977]

@@vlst8715 Yep. Because those of us who fawn - we are already doing everything possible to avoid errors. We go to extra measures which 99 percent of people would never do ever. We make sure with time limit and money aspect and our space to please other people - and when people do not have ability to see that we have done everything to make their life comfortable - the real fault lies in egocentric people who are spoiled. Like theme in Preminger movie from 1958 "Bonjour trisstess"

[@YaGotdamBoi]

Shoutout to my neurodivergent peeps, who else feels this?!

[@antivert]

Heyyy for real, it’s so hard to be around people!

[@sf3testvids]

Often... too often...

[@GhostHuntsman]

Me.

[@patrickcummins79]

Are you Chelsea Wolfe? (Look up her music, my comment will make sense later)

[@lizzzarduh]

What is neurodivergent?

[@tomburns7544]

Oh, MAN! This is so me! I am totally fine speaking and performing in front of hundreds of people but there is no way I will ask a woman out because of the multiple rejections I had as a teen. I've been alone for my entire adult life because rejection is so painful. I wish I'd known to get therapy earlier but now it's too late for me. Thanks, Katie.

[@mag6521]

❤️❤️❤️

[@mamgorobong]

"Playing it out to the end" is a thing that i have been doing this past months when I'm overwhelmed by emotions (when there is something that triggered my RSD). I just imagine how things would playout, the worst scenarios, and how I would deal with it. Imagining scenarios in my mind caused me intense emotional pain and physical pain. But It would also help me deal with the RSD since it exhausts my mind to the point that I'll ended up fast asleep right after. "Playing it out" and sleeping right after really helps my RSD. I feel refresh and unburdened when I wake up. Though it takes too much time and effort to imagine scenarios in your mind. haha.

[@Yumichu]

I never thought about the possibility of RSD being triggered by myself not feeling enough or happy with what I've done. This is such an interesting piece to think about the next time I get frustrated when not being perfect at doing a new thing right away!

[@TheLyricalWrdsmth]

I think this is part of my issues. I gave up dating or trying to meet women years ago because each new rejection was just harder and harder than the last. Everyone I've ever talked to just told me dating is a numbers game and it gets easier, but it's always been the exact opposite for me. Even when women decide to not leave me alone and send overt signals that they want me to ask them out or reveal my interest in them. I always shut down and ignore them until they move on, because I can't handle the possibility of them rejecting me in that moment. Or even worse, further down the line.

[@jordanowen42]

Word.

[@ThaMobstarr]

Damn, you perfectly described how I feel and what I experienced. I am at the exact same point at which I don‘t want to date any women anymore because rejection hurts so bad.

[@cedricburkhart3738]

Hmmm maybe you could be helped out by a dating coach.🤔

[@melissadoesmakeup]

Similar experience with myself with trying to date and relationships. Romantic or non. Yet when I find something even if it is or turns toxic I still hold onto it for dear life. Taking out many of these emotions on my fiance that has ADHD but he is such an extravert when he is feeling well but an introvert when he isn't doing as what many people would describe as "the best in life" or when he doesn't have money. He is also the "quiet sufferer" Katie mentions. Internalising the majority of his feelings shutting dowm and "getting out" of the situation causing the rejection he feels. Myself coming from a situation of childhood sexual abuse from one family member and unintentional neglect from another. This shaped my belief system into some major maladaptive thinking. I got into relationships through trauma bonding and not a "love, life, goal, personality chemistry" type of deal. They were unhealthy and condependant. 2 years before Covid hit I was in a healthy relationship after taking the time and therapy to heal from past wounds. we. Got into a car accident one night and his air bag went off while mine did not. It caused me to over time develop an auto immune/ chronic pain disorder and it has caused so so so much resentment and strain in the relationship over time that I wonder if I will ever salvage the wedding cancelled by Covid and postponed by my own extreme feelings and emotions directed towards the situation. Often at times I wonder if it would been easier/better to have just kept my distance from this person as well and stick to being alone as then I know I will be lonely. But I won't be rejected (well i still struggle with self rejection)!but then I can only blame myself for that (guilt shame, anger resent shoulda woulda coulda) Since this accident I thought he (expected maybe besed on commitment) may slow down his heavy social /project calendar. As I then had my life come to a sudden halt and was not able to do most everything I enjoyed or distracted me from the pain or even socialize as stupid Covid. The actuality of it is he is out and more busy during quarantine, restrictions and lockdown than he has been at home where I am permanently stuck.. I think we both have RSD and ironically that's also what my chronic condition that developed is also called. I subscribe to this channel because Katie is awesome however today I was searching my RSD (crps) and came across this video talking about this other RSD I think we both may have it in differnt ways. After this novel I want to say the aspect of pushing someone away before they leave is very very very real and painful. It's nice to at least have the good memories before to reflect on instead of always feeling hurt and lonely..you know there is possibility for more or different outcomes. Yet if you "stand for nothing you will fall for everything" when you don't know yourself that's a very very real possibility.

[@TheLyricalWrdsmth]

@@melissadoesmakeup Damn friend. It sounds like you're dealing with a lot of emotional turmoil in your relationship. I'm sorry it's so hard. I'm happy my comment spurred you to share. I felt a darn sight better about my issues just channeling my thoughts to the keyboard. I hope doing so provided some catharsis for you as well. 💜 Live well, and maybe talk to your partner about some of this if you haven't already.

[@sandracarnal6772]

I’ve avoided finishing my degree because a superior told me she didn’t think I was cut out for teaching during my student teaching. Everyone kept telling me to ignore her comments but what she said spiraled me into an intense depression and fear of going back because I’m so afraid of failing again and disappointing someone.

[@stoffls]

I really always thought, that my reaction and fear of rejection is "only" my sensitivity. This video is really helpful!

[@chuckm1961]

Seriously? There is no one who has ever lived or will ever live who does not struggle with fear of rejection. It's just that some (e.g., Trump-like bravado people) compensate with false bravado, some compensate by pretending the whole matter does not exist (distracting themselves with pursuit of fame, money, alcohol, etc.) and some (like you) think about it and are honest about it.

[@colonelb]

(not a mental health professional) - soooo many people have mental health issues that go their whole life without ever getting help. There is still a lot of stigma about it, like if you have a problem it's a character flaw. Social media definitely has its faults but one of the BEST things about it is that it connects folks and builds communities of people that may otherwise have never realized how many folks were "just like them", you are definitely NOT alone, and it's okay.

[@hulasenorita]

@@chuckm1961 people who have this dysphasia are unable to distract themselves. That’s how intense this pain is that they either self-Medicate or desperately need to be seen so that they can have the meds that Katie mentioned.

[@justbecause9219]

I have this and when I am going through it, death feels like the only way out of the intense pain. P.S. I was diagnosed Asperger at a later age (female).

[@Jawskillaful]

Rejection has been a big problem for me in my life for about the past decade or so. Ever since my late teens I have been over analytical of myself and would have my life centered around the opinions of others and what they thought of me and to this day I still struggle with this, although to a lesser extent. Within the last few years I have started to develop more of a "I don't care what people think of me." attitude and I must say that it definitely feels less emotionally and mentally draining now that I am thinking this way. Thanks so much for an excellent well explained video on this order Kati. It really is self reflecting.👍🙂

[@nancygerke1896]

I feel rejected most of the time. I've got a trip coming up to see a lot of family and friends and I'm freaking out...yelling at my boyfriend for no reason. Thanks for a new perspective.

[@raywood8187]

Thanks Kati! I didn't know this had a name. I always just thought of it as my cringe moments. Now I see more clearly what this can do to kids and their adult selves. This got me thinking, a person can create a whole detailed short story on just one instance of what MUST be wrong with him or her or even the other person, when all he or she was just doing was trying to be friendly, but was ignored and didn't get a hello returned in kind. Oh what a tangled web we weave. Help me Charlotte!

[@ranc1977]

" I didn't know this had a name. I always just thought of it as my cringe moments." This is far more serious than cringe. This RSD means many people are misdiagnosed and given wrong therapy - specifically far more damaging CBT who instructs victims of abuse that they are hallucinating abuse and that they can change other people with their own thinking (ABC Model) which leads to schizophrenia and development of personality disorders. Glasser wrote the book called Psychiatry can be dangerous for your mental health. He was correct.

[@nola325]

This makes sense to me as someone who has dyslexia. I know it wasn't mentioned in this video but I did read in other articles that dyslexia can also lead to RSD. The constant corrections, criticism, and being told to keep up with others I think caused RSD for me.

[@sophiatenbruggencate6555]

I've just realised this is exactly what's happened with me too. Make a great deal of sense especially as I also had quite dysfunctional & abusive parents also. Always made to feel inferior to my two siblings.

[@fuhgetabatit1051]

Kinda sucks when you have RSD and low blood pressure. There’s always another way to get through mental illnesses. But I’m so happy Kati talked about this.

[@emanubano]

I was just wondering about this. I kinda want to try it but I have low blood pressure to begin with

[@Arturest]

You’re such an awesome therapist, Kati!! I really wish I could have someone just like you as my therapist, but unfortunately the ones I’ve had are complete opposites from what you are, and never really understood me… you’re so compassionate and caring, and even if you don’t completely understand your clients sometimes, I’m sure you always make everything possible to make them feel understood and that they can always trust you. Thank you very much for being like this!

[@GuppyPal]

It happens because it's linked to being "rejected" in childhood in some way, which is also the cause of all these different mental disorders. What disorder you develop largely depends on your genetics, but they are all simply symptoms, manifestations, of underlying trauma. Heal the trauma, heal the mental illness.

[@Malitubee]

This x100000

[@Joy-xz2fx]

It’s so hard to heal the trauma if it was daily abuse for all of growing up and into adulthood. I often wonder what’s worse the big traumas I experienced like being raped, or witnessing my college roommates suicide / death or the other daily things I experienced being beat down emotionally and physically beat as a child. I work with a therapist but don’t have med management at this time and am struggling. I think both pieces are huge especially as you go through and address issues and discuss the past with a therapist or anyone you trust, it’s hard work.

[@GuppyPal]

@@Joy-xz2fx Read "Complex PTSD: from surviving to thriving." It's THE best book out there on complex and developmental trauma. Read the reviews to see how much it's helped others too.

[@ranc1977]

"rejected" just say it what it is it is exposure to relentless criticism and nitpicking 24/7 in early age when we were impressionable. ". Heal the trauma, heal the mental illness." True mental illness is in perpetrators of abuse. They have mental illness. When we are targets of abuse - this is called reaction to abuse. If we use label mental illness on ourselves - we will misdiagnose and mislabel ourselves, we will re-traumatize ourselves and reject ourselves as abusers did. You cannot heal trauma if you label trauma as personal choice and something that is wrong with you to the core. There is nothing wrong with our mind. Our mind works fine. We are not serial killers - we do not desire to harm other people - hence there is no mental illness.

[@ranc1977]

@@GuppyPal ead "Complex PTSD: from surviving to thriving." What you "forget" to say is that CPTSD is banned by corrupt medical industry and that pharma mafia is making huge money on trauma labeling it as mental illness and cognitive disorder. While in the same time narcissists are left alone - those who are causing "mental illness" as you label it, into others. WHO's ICD-11 recognized cptsd as valid concept. American pharma mafia industry does not.

[@jim_jam_dseries]

Thank you Kati. Listening to this video was like reading a checklist and ticking every box. Please keep up the work that you do!

[@deannab56]

Thank you SO MUCH. Your video is the first resource I have found that talks about what I can do beyond just medication therapy!! I am so grateful you shared. Thank you.

[@violetriddle7768]

Thank you for this! I've been trying to explain my RSD to friends and family and I never had the words to express the feelings and symptoms but you did it amazingly, so thank you!

[@_thericstrorian]

You know Kati whenever I see your videos I can't help but think that this is undervalued. U should be on the front feed of everyones KZbin. You are a gem. Thank you 🙏🏿

[@jasoncerrotalks2655]

Katie, its great that you did a video on RSD. Your reach will help millions of people be more aware of how damaging this symptom can be and provide assistance to those in need. Nicely done! I did my own video on RSD about 5 months ago and look forward to producing more content on how to manage the symptoms.

[@missmireles1019]

Thank you for this video. I have been struggling with the fear of rejection my whole life and I felt shame for taking rejection so personally. Before being to work on myself I didn’t even know I had a fear of rejection and then I started to observe the thought and intensity of my emotions. Very difficult for me to bounce back and it has really affected my relationship to others. Once again thank you I finally have a name for my experience and can began to understand it and work on it

[@jayweiner6044]

Thanks Kati for shedding light on yet another layer in the seemingly never-ending challenge to heal from CPTSD/historic emotional abuse...

[@AcousticCoffeeJunk]

This comes in synchronicity to conversations Ive had with close friends. Thanks Kati!

[@sukifriend]

Thanks for being consistent in making videos, its helpful for a lot of us. The internet did not break your Empathy and rational thought! We appreciate you.

[@jamieashworth1987]

This video just cleared up issues I have been having since I was a kid. Thank you so much for providing this information, I feel like this helped me understand myself better.

[@nanaman]

Kati you are such an amazing person! Thank you so much for providing these videos.

[@beautifulspacesllc]

Omg. Thank you so much for posting about this. I wasn't aware of any of these symptoms at all. It makes me feel shocked and slightly relieved that my brain isn't telling me the truth all the time and that I can breathe. This topic should be talked about way more, it can be very damaging if it's not

[@prakprav]

Thank you for such a wonderful video on this topic. I hadn't heard of RSD till I watched this. It's so important to know the differences between commonly misdiagnosed similar disorders, and your explanation was excellent. I can now see how sensitivity to rejection can lead to chronic procrastination, avoidance disorders, ADHD, conditions involving emotional dysregulation, etc.

[@xmotorsporttv246]

This is a great video. This served directly to the needs of people who probably didn't know they were suffering with this disorder.

[@aimeekeyes8004]

I get so happy when you upload a video! They help so much. Thank you Kati. We all appreciate it very much! 😊

[@Katimorton]

Awe yay!!! Of course! I am so glad they are helpful :) xoxox

[@parmdeepjagdev8395]

Thank you so much. This is me to a Tee. I have always suffered from severe social anxiety and shyness ever since I can remember. It has always been linked to my fear of a negative outcome. It has held me back all my life. CBT and life coaching has helped me a lot, however this has helped me understand myself more.

[@barbarahusek6224]

Thank you, Kati! I have struggled with this for the longest time, but I am finally making some headway. My therapist has presented several helpful approaches, and I've also made the commitment to starting each day with mindful meditation. I'm also taking guanfacine every evening now. Even the tiniest criticism, expressed bluntly, triggers in me an irrational, angry over-reaction. I hate hulking out, feeling full of shame, or trying to do everything and please everybody in a frantic attempt to avoid be upbraided! The take away: it IS really hard, but I now think it is possible to heal and truly recognise, inside, that we are all worthy.

[@carolwhelihan1514]

Thank you so much for this. I have this, and having you explain it makes it so much more manageable. Your videos are so helpful.

[@patteegee9506]

Thank you for this informative video. It brought to light that this may be at the root of triggering my lifetime depression, anxiety and feelings of worthlessness! I've been a lifetime "overachiever" and yet never feel "good enough." Rejection of myself and fear of rejection by others. Once we understand what is at the core of our symptoms, we have something to work with in order to work towards change. Thank you for giving me something to work with!

[@rubenbasulto8965]

Thank you Doctore. This video strikes me with truth. I cried watching it.

[@CarlynOT-Coach]

Oh yes! It can be paralyzing. I find I struggle with RSD in waves. Thanks for helping more people understand in such a compassionate way.

[@larag1764]

You are so good at explaining complicated concepts / conditions. Thank you for all your hard work. Hi from Australia 🌺

[@anjithaa4521]

I didn't know about RSD before. This is so much informative. 💖

[@bryannguyen8440]

Very helpful Katie! What I like about this video is the time stamps. This helps viewers and myself!

[@duns0000]

Thank you for making this more known. It is so relieving to hear my troubles are common and recognized. To everyone who struggles in their daily life with this. Don’t lose hope to be doing better someday! You are loved, you are strong. That’s what I also keep telling myself, and it makes just that slightest difference you need.

[@ranc1977]

Discovery of RSD is like genome of all our issues with psychology that we struggle. It will help us to laser point our issues and devote our energy and focus in exact place - as oppose to overgeneralization from CBT and other toxic resources which misdiagnose our issues and lead us astray into wrong alley, spending too much money, focus and time on wrong things which could never work nor help us in any way but falsely promise to help. CBT must be banned.

[@evanmoskovoy6072]

Thank you once again! You cannot imagine how helpful this is to me.

[@lauralofy1676]

I like your clear, concise, and objective presentation style. A nice break from so many other hard sell styles.

[@afenton32]

I was diagnosed with BPD, but I have basically all the symptoms of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Thank you for sharing. This will definitely help in finding a way to the best treatment options for my mental health. I appreciate you!!

[@ninadirnimiezenberger5072]

Oh my, that's me 100%. I'm so thankful for the video!

[@mthomas8776]

Im 2 mins into this video and im jaw dropped. Dead on how some things in my life have been affected by breakups and how ashamed Iv felt about let downs, WOW..Great video. Thanks

[@williamharvey2031]

This channel is a lifesaver. I'm consistently learning that what I feel and the way I react to things isn't unique to just me. Other people have these problems too.

[@VoltasP]

Thank you for making this video, my family has always said "just let it flow off you like water off a duck's ass" and I sent them this video to clue them in why that has never been helpful and in fact contributed to my pain because I couldn't perform to their expectations that I just should choose to not feel bad.

[@nitzans]

Thank you so much!!! I've recently come to think that I might have ADHD and RSD, so this video came just in time while I seek diagnosis.

[@moonpleiades99]

First time I've heard of this, and relate so much. Grateful I found you and your videos! ❤️🌿✨

[@jesserivera9704]

I found this INCREDIBLY helpful. I've never heard of this before! And I watch psych channels *all day* cause i dont leave the house cause of RSD!!

[@cbbhvjc]

This information leads to insights and understanding! Thanks for making and posting!

[@therealjohndoe3862]

Well done. I work in private practice and this phenomenon is much more common than people may think. I deal with it daily as CBT practitioner.

[@benjaminpeacock1175]

So funny this was posted today because I was literally talking to my therapist about this today, and wondering if I'm BPD or what's going on... I get so undone with any perceived or real rejection. Thank for posting this and I love your videos!

[@chocochipcookie1875]

RSD forms a major chunk of my list of issues. However, I was unable to explain this to my doctor 2 years ago as I did not know the term existed. This was very helpful, thank you so much Kati.

[@christym.6529]

Very helpful. Thank you Kati. And good job Sean on the editing. 👍🏻😊

[@hilarytorres5361]

This offered me insights into myself. Management is so helpful.

[@robertkreamer7522]

This was super. Now I realize this in friends and family and can address my own actions accordingly. I can’t really understand how people with RSD live in this way , but that doesn’t mean I can’t be more understanding. You have opened my eyes. As a salesperson in a way rejection is just part of the game and as an only child I had to get up , dust myself off and get back in the arena …. I was surrounded by unconditional love so that’s probably what helped me be thick skinned as the saying goes. Don’t get me wrong it still hurts , but I get back in the arena. No advice from me folks , I will just try to be the guy outstretchinv a hand to lift you up.

[@estebansteverincon7117]

I don't know if this applies to anyone but I physically start to panic or get the surge of adrenaline when someone chastises or just criticizes me. I then hold a grudge or at least guarded around them. I'm constantly trying to get on their good side. I generally fear not being able to impress everyone I meet. I usually talk way too much to get a reaction of approval around them. If I don't, I'll feel like a failure. I can't stop it, or I don't know how to stop it. No one really knows who I really am.

[@PatriseHenkel]

Wow. I wish I’d known about this long ago - at my age I can’t undo decades of damage. But this describes me too well.

[@brittanywilcox7377]

It didn't occur to me until I played this video that I most certainly suffer from this! I take it *so* hard when it appears that someone I love is pushing me aside. I do have a very traumatic past so that makes sense. Thank you!

[@Sean-ni4qy]

This sounds really close to me. CBT helped me stop catastrophic thought loops and 'should' statements. no actual diagnosis (poverty lol), but thank you for this. something to start considering next time I spiral

[@beautifulspacesllc]

LOOPING THOUGHTS OMG THATS WHAT I HAVE

[@foxy_poetry]

I can relate to "poverty lol".

[@chi6801]

So glad you made this, its super common in adhd but barely anyone knows much about it so I'm just dramatic to them

[@yeah2837]

omg… i think this is the most relatable vid on your channel for me o.o definitely bringing this up in therapy this week, thanks sm for the information!! i had no idea this was its own thing! i fr feel like i just had a paradigm shift about like, my whole life :O

[@revilli1753]

Wow this was like a light turning on thanks Kati

[@allyn9195]

Great video Kait!! Super informative

[@Katimorton]

Yay! So glad you liked it :) xoxo

[@AmberAmber]

Perfect timing Kati!! XO

[@seabee5695]

Thank you Kati. Very interesting. So many crossover traits with other conditions.. I appreciate the tips.

[@richbabe7836]

I’ve literally been rejected by everyone in my life except my kids which is only a matter of time! So hard living in a world where no one loves u. My mom told me when I was about 10 that people hate to see me come. Moms are always right, right ! Thanks for the video!!

[@crazygeorgelincoln]

Really helpful talking about treatment options, I remember feeling bothered asking or saying the wrong thing the friends maybe 10 years ago. I tried saying and doing minimal wrong or something things, maybe some got through, anyway this people drifted away and most of them haven't spoken in 10 years, saying the wrong thing just speeds up the process allowing you to concentrate your efforts on the people who stick around,

[@carolherm]

Thank you so much. You explain it so well, you make it easy to understand.

[@Chad_Thundernuts]

Rejection is one of those things that usually gets easier to deal with the more you expose yourself to it. Just gotta callous up that mind and soon enough it won't bother you. You'll realise that rejection isn't the end of the world and shouldn't be something to fear, and that other people's opinions of you hold no power over your self worth👍

[@TheLegendarySuperSaiyanBroly]

Thank you. I needed to see this.

[@deborapichel6029]

This video was so helpful and full of information. Awesome!! Thanks for all you share Kati

[@rowdybliss]

Oh Katie - this was so, so helpful - thank you for this. I’m going to discuss this stuff with my own therapist.

[@tetrahexaeder6312]

I'm so glad that I finally found a word for 'not having social anxiety or borderline/avoidant personality disorder but struggling a lot with social interactions due to perceived or real rejections'. I've had so many diagnosis or suspected diagnosis, where I always thought 'Yeah, kind of... but not really' and felt so alone and alienated because I don't have any mental disorder but I still have a mental issue going on. It was so frustrating because therapists just give you diagnosis and suddenly you are supposed to have a full-blown personality disorder, mood disorder or anxiety disorder although you don't perceive yourself as disordered or ill.

[@MandyMoon12]

I was just reading a post about this like an hour ago, then your notif popped up

[@LouisaWatt]

I’m really glad you do what you do 🙂

[@selenefirme3626]

Thank you!! I needed this so bad!

[@hilsbroorjlch3259]

Listening to the description, I was thinking “hey, that’s me.” Then when you mentioned the meds, I knew one of them before you said it. I have been taking it for almost 2 years. The adhd medicine in conjunction with it has helped tremendously.

[@AprendeConmigo23]

Really helpful, thank you for posting this video.

[@minakoa7178]

This was explained perfectly!