Emotional Regulation

How do you tell if something is RSD or a legitimate problem?

Posted by priya_noise · 1 week ago · 27 replies · 866 views

I've gotten better at recognizing RSD in myself. The sudden flood of horrible feeling, the immediate certainty that someone dislikes me or that I've done something wrong.

But here's my problem: sometimes I think it's RSD and dismiss it, and then it turns out there was actually something wrong. And sometimes I think there's actually something wrong and it's just RSD.

How do you calibrate this? Especially in relationships and at work?

4 replies

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ingrid_calm 1 week ago

I try to ask one very specific question: is there actual evidence? Not feelings of evidence — actual observable behavior. RSD is very good at creating evidence where none exists. If I can't point to a specific thing, that's a signal.

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clara_parent 1 week ago

Part of what helps is accepting that I can't always tell in the moment, and that's okay. I can take a cautious action — like asking a neutral question — without committing to either interpretation yet.

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felix_hyper 1 week ago

I give it the 24 hour rule. If the feeling is still there and makes sense 24 hours later, it's probably worth taking seriously. If it's faded, it was likely RSD. The intensity of RSD is disproportionate and temporary — that's part of its signature.

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omar_loops 1 week ago

I have a trusted person I ask. Someone who knows me and knows my ADHD. I describe the situation neutrally (not the emotional version) and ask what they think. Their read doesn't override mine, but it's a reality check.

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How do you tell if something is RSD or a legitimate problem?

4 replies

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