Neurodivergent Experiences of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Expose the Environmental Factors too Often Overlooked

Abstract

The term rejection sensitive dysphoria has gained popularity recently, providing a language to discuss a phenomenon and find solace in shared experiences. Despite this, there is a lack of consensus in definition and application across medical, academic, and informal environments. This study addresses this research gap, centralising lived experiences of a small group of neurodivergent adults, alongside the shared neurodivergent standpoint of the researcher. Exploring what rejection sensitive dysphoria means to the individual and how it is experienced. By employing this novel approach, this research proposes a new conceptualisation of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria as a phenomenon impacted by biological and environmental factors. This critical insight challenges the current essentialist positionality and associated terminology, which could positively impact policy and practice. While this research is limited in scale and therefore not statistically generalisable, the significant findings offer an important foundation for future research. Highlighting that such research, should prioritise the neurodivergent experience, within a balanced biological and environmental framework. Recognising that people, and environments, like schools, cause, trigger and sustain the experiences labelled as rejection sensitive dysphoria is a vital first step towards better support for adults now and creating more inclusive environments to improve the lives of future generations.