Performance Reviews and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria
Emotional regulation including Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is a symptom that many are unaware of, yet it can be one that affects people in many different situations in life, especially performance related critique. It is an intense emotional response to perceived rejection or criticism, common among people with ADHD.
When someone with ADHD experiences RSD, even minor criticism or the thought of not meeting others' expectations can trigger overwhelming feelings of shame, sadness, or anger. This reaction goes beyond typical sensitivity; it can feel almost like physical pain and lead to avoidance of certain social situations, fear of failure, or perfectionism.
RSD often happens because of how the ADHD brain processes emotions, which tends to amplify emotional responses. This sensitivity can affect relationships, work, and self-esteem, making it harder for people with ADHD to feel confident and secure in their interactions.
Performance reviews, 360’s, appraisals, employee evaluations or whatever you want to call them. They’re standardised and already flawed to begin with, let alone for someone with ADHD. An exercise whose only goal is to put people into boxes, including literal ones. Measuring everyone against the same criteria, when you consider that everyone is different anyway, and the added layer of complexity of ADHD symptoms can make these very hard to swallow.
Throughout my career I found myself getting judged and “scored”, or did the same to others according to characteristics and strengths that are expected to be a given. It didn’t matter that someone was the smartest, loved by clients or an amazing team manager, you had to be and do it all. Hated public speaking or networking? Doesn’t matter, it was one of the many boxes to tick in order to progress.
Now if you consider how intensely this industry also relies on working in teams, with bosses and clients every day, the necessity of being liked and popular goes beyond just a need as it is a must. It comes at no surprise that RSD could easily play a big part in someone’s daily life at work and hinder career progression.
People with ADHD can also bring so much more to the table because of their symptoms such as hyper focus, creativity or energy. Luckily some of these will easily tick some boxes, but there is not enough room and importance awarded to individualism and in fact thinking outside of the boxes, in these reviews.
