RSD Reflections: From a Mom & Therapist
Part Four - The Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria ToolkitBefore you jump in, if you haven't read part one, part two, or part three, I encourage you to start there.
You can begin by building the foundation of your toolkit that includes:
1. Communication: Encourage your child to express their feelings openly, and be patient as they learn to articulate their emotions. Help them identify triggers and develop strategies to cope with them effectively.
2. Collaborate with your child's school and healthcare providers to ensure they receive the support they need. This might involve creating an individualized education plan (IEP) or seeking therapy from a qualified professional who understands RSD.
3. Explore the possibility of medication for ADHD and RSD – both have been shown to improve mood, executive functioning, and emotional stability with certain medications. Please talk to your family doctor about this possibility to find out if it’s right for you.
4. Consider mindfulness, self-compassion work, and self-care, as well as other therapeutic modalities such as DBT, CBT, or ACT.
5. Listen: Dr. Dodson has spoken on numerous podcasts and written some very useful articles that you may want to investigate in order to gain more insight. Additionally, there are some wonderful websites, speakers, and webinars that offer valuable information about RSD.
ADHD Focus with David Pomeroy - Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria in ADHD with Dr. Bill Dodson
ADHD Focus with David Pomeroy - Triggers for rage & depression with Dr. Bill Dodson
6. Work on a “growth mindset” which is especially helpful for those with RSD. Individuals building a growth mindset can see challenges as opportunities for growth and learning, embrace failures as chances to learn and improve, and are more resilient in the face of setbacks.
Liam is a young adult now, and not perfect (although I think he’s pretty perfect, but I’m biased). He still has his struggles, but the great thing is, he also (now) has that foundation that we were able to build together. He has nearly tried “all the things”. He keeps what works, and discards what doesn’t. He still won’t take medication, and that’s OKAY! You know why? Because his desire to be better is way stronger than his ability to remain consistent to meds. As a parent of kids with ADHD, it does require that I continue to help.
Parents, you CAN still help! Don’t let anyone tell you differently!
I don’t enable (anymore…yes I admit it!), but I’ve learned to help by making sure he has the skills and knows HOW to do the things he needs to do. Are we going through the house and fixing all the holes, doors, cracks, and breaks yet? Nope…we have a family policy that states no more work until they move out! (Understandable I guess – Liam didn’t go from being the Incredible Hulk to Captain America when he reached adulthood), but it's a journey that requires patience, understanding, and unconditional love, and seeing our children grow and develop the skills they need to succeed is incredibly rewarding.
Parents, remember, you're not alone in this journey. It's okay to feel overwhelmed or unsure at times.
Your dedication to understanding and supporting your child's feelings speaks volumes about your love and commitment as a parent. As you navigate these challenges, know that there are resources available to help you strengthen your parenting skills and build deeper connections with your children. Consider joining our upcoming parent intensive this fall, where we'll delve into effective strategies for navigating emotions, fostering resilience, and nurturing healthy parent-child relationships. Don't hesitate to reach out and ask any questions you may have about the topics you want to explore further.
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