ADHD is one of the most historically misinterpreted mental health afflictions in modern history. It goes beyond an inability to focus. It has roots that branch off the main trunk and take hold in the recesses of the brain.

One of these associated dysfunctions is Rejection Dysphoria (or RSD). Those who bear the weight of RSD are acutely more emotionally impacted by criticism and rejection, or even perceived rejection. “Why didn’t they tag me in that post?” “Was it something I said?” “What was it about my work that wasn’t good enough?”

I connected with Heidi about her RSD and it immediately struck a cord in my mind. As a creative photographer, she is constantly battling a bear in her mind about how people and clients perceive her work. If it’s really up to snuff. Or if she should just lock her camera in a vault and never fire the shutter button again.

It can be said that we are all our own harshest critics, but for some this notion is ingrained in their nervous system and causes them to shut down. It just goes to show that the pen is mightier than the sword, sometimes for the worse.