8. It's Hard Being Crazy

Part 2 of our Valentine’s Day special - we talk about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and how it specifically shows up in relationships! Highlights of Episode Eight: Recap of RSD: common in people with ADHD, and experts suggest that shame/RSD should be considered as part of ADHD diagnostic criteria. LeAnn shares her experience of how RSD shows up in relationships as fear of being rejected and feelings of shame and incompetence. Suz shares that her RSD shows up as jealousy and untrusting/fear of being duped. Hyper-vigilance often leads us to go down a rabbit hole of mistrust as a result of forming trauma bond attachments with our romantic partners; we unconsciously seek out people who reinforce traumatic experiences we have had previously. Finding ways to distance our thoughts and emotions from situations to separate fact from fiction can help when we are feeling upset; this helps to uncover the meaning we attach to situations. When do we go to others to communicate feelings/issues, and when do we do the work within ourselves first? Emotional flooding and releasing the dam of emotions; how to balance our emotions with others. Fear of rejection and determining safety in relationships, how our trauma response can miss red flags and erode trust within ourselves. How does the trademark ADHD symptom of impulsivity show up in relationships? We discuss our terrible reckless dating decisions and other impulsive choices. Healing the abandonment wound and finding safety and security within ourselves, versus seeking validation externally. We can always improve ourselves and change unhealthy patterns to form healthier relationships; the more self-aware we are, the easier it is to change our habits. Forming healthy relationships with others: doing the work ourselves and breaking codependency; not putting our “shit” on others with the expectation that they need to fix us. References from the Show: ADHD For Smart Ass Women Episode on RSD: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gSMhSsWWdvdBJqZEGgRmY?si=fk8dDEx2Ssa3qsMOAEPzAA Follow on Instagram: @inattentionpodcast @leannbradshaw_ @amidlifealchemy Contact us with questions or comments: [email protected]