Psychology Says If You Have A Fear Of Rejection, It Might Be A Sign Of A Bigger Issue
Plus, a plan for overcoming your fear so you don’t end up isolated and alone
When you struggle with friendships, it’s easy to spiral into low self-esteem. Looking around, it can feel like everyone knows something you don’t. After a while, anxiety around socializing gets worse and you wonder why you are so sensitive to it.
If this is familiar, it could be ADHD. It’s common for people with ADHD to feel emotions more intensely, have fewer friends and fewer invites, and experience greater rejection than their neurotypical peers. Sadly, many of these people may not realize they have ADHD, as studies have shown that many young adults don’t relate to traditional signs and symptoms of ADHD as much as they relate to issues like emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity.
If you find yourself wanting to mingle and chat but you’re haunted by past mistakes, you should know that this feeling is common for people with ADHD. The best part? You don’t have to let it define you.
Why intense fear of rejection can signal ADHD
Many people with ADHD struggle to pay attention to the person they are talking to, overwhelmed by negative thoughts and self-criticism. This can make them seem detached or awkward.
In addition, people with ADHD can get caught up in verbally processing what others are saying and then begin blurting out too much information (TMI), inspiring feelings of awkwardness and anxiety. Soon enough, the negative experiences feel like they outweigh the positive ones and that triggers rejection sensitivity.
Negative social experiences accumulate in people’s memories
Studies show that many people with ADHD struggle to pay attention to the person they are talking to, overwhelmed by negative thoughts and self-criticism. This can make them seem detached or awkward.
In addition, people with ADHD can get caught up in verbally processing what others are saying and then begin blurting out too much information (TMI), inspiring feelings of awkwardness and anxiety. Soon enough, the negative experiences feel like they outweigh the positive ones and that triggers rejection sensitivity.