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EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
Impact of Mother’s Emotional and Mental Health on Neurological Development of the
Unborn Baby
Patricia Ann Carsten
School of Psychology, Liberty University
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
Exploring Impact of Mother’s Emotions on Developing Unborn Baby
Scientists have studied the impact of depression and other mental health struggles on the
emotional and developmental state of newborn babies and infants (Lazinski et al., 2008). Many
of the same stressors impacting the emotional health of the mother who just gave birth affect her
prior to delivery. It is known that drugs and alcohol can influence the psychological growth of
the fetus prior to birth (Goldstein et al., 2021). This gives reason for an investigation to be
performed to evaluate the chemical effects of emotional stages on the developing child within the
womb (Rice, et al., 2009).
The emotional state of the mother during pregnancy could impact the neurological
development of the infant within the womb later in life (Semeia et al.,2023, Rice, et al., 2009).
In addition, the developing child may sense rejection, which can manifest in an experiential and
behavioral way after birth (Kinsella & Monk, 2009). Studying children who were unwanted and
comparing to those who were wanted at the time of conception through the gestational cycle
could assist in development of a resiliency training to support the child in development of
healthy self-esteem despite external demonstrations of acceptance or rejection.
Variables
The independent variable for the proposed investigation is operationally defined using
surveys of mothers who admit struggling to feel maternal connection and affection for their
unborn child. The comparison group is participants who report feeling excited about and
connected to their unborn child.
The dependent variable to be measured in the research is the attachment style
demonstrated by the infants after birth to include secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
which is believed to be influenced by the neurotransmitters in the brain that occur with various
emotional responses to external and internal stimuli (Kinsella & Monk, 2009).
Rationale
The emotional connection a mother has toward her unborn child can lead to various
negative attachment styles in the infant, which can be reaffirmed after birth by parenting styles
demonstrated by the mother (Ohara et al., 2017; Rohder et al., 2020). Many factors can influence
attachment styles, but influences from conception and during gestation can prove to be harder to
overcome because it is presented during th foundational growth period of the child (Schreffler et
al., 2021).
Hypothesis
It is predicted that unborn babies who are unwanted by the biological mother during
gestation are born with a heightened sensitivity to rejection and an awareness of emotional
dismissal from those around them that can last for decades than those who were wanted and
celebrated during gestation.
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
References
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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-03779-5
brain scans can show the pain of rejection.For example, a study of
adolescent girls found that rejection showed up in brain scans to
varying degrees for each girl.Girls who tend toruminatehad the
highest activity in their brain scans.This suggests that girls who
ruminate are deeply internalizing thenegative feedbackinto
theirself-concept.
Brain imagingstudies also show that regions of the brain that
respond to physical pain overlap with those that react tosocial
rejection.The consensus is that a network of brain regions that
support the aversive quality of physical pain also underlie the
feeling of social rejection.These regions include the dorsalanterior
cingulate(dACC) andanterior insula(AI).
Research also shows that rejection can activate the same areas of
the brain as physical pain.For example, being asked to recall a
recent rejection has made people score significantly lower on
subsequentIQ tests.
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
Social rejection can cause a cascade of emotional and cognitive
consequences, including increased anger, anxiety, depression,
jealousy, and sadness.
Social rejection shares somatosensory representations ...
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov› articles › PMC3076808
by E Kross·2011·Cited by 971—However, being rejected, however distressing, seems
different fromphysical pain; it does not result from the presence of a noxious bodily...
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in the brain just like a scraped knee or a kicked shin, according to new
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way it responds to physical pain.
Rejection Is Like Pain to the Brain | Science | AAAS
science.org
https://www.science.org› content › article › rejection-pai...
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Separate neural representations for physical pain and ...
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (.gov)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov› articles › PMC4285151
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
by CW Woo·2014·Cited by 325—These findings demonstrate that separate
representations underliepainandrejectiondespite common fMRI activity at the gross
anatomical level.
10 Surprising Facts About Rejection
Psychology Today
https://www.psychologytoday.com› the-squeaky-wheel
Jul 3, 2013—fMRI studies show that an experience of rejection andan experience of
physical pain can both activate the same areas of the brain.
The pain of social rejection
American Psychological Association
https://www.apa.org› monitor › 2012/04 › rejection
Apr 21, 2012—Researchers have found evidence that the pain of beingexcluded is
not so different from the pain ofphysical injury.
Missing:testing| Show results with:testing
Study illuminates the 'pain' of social rejection
University of Michigan News
https://news.umich.edu› study-illuminates-the-pain-of-...
Mar 25, 2011—“We found that powerfully inducing feelings of socialrejection
activate regions of the brain that are involved in physical pain sensation,...
Missing:testing| Show results with:testing
Being rejected a real pain, brain images show
CBC
https://www.cbc.ca› news › health › being-rejected-a-r...
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
Mar 29, 2011—Regions of the brain thatrespond to physical pain overlapwith
those that react to social rejection, brain imaging study shows.
Brain treats rejection like physical pain say scientists
The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk› Science
Oct 17, 2013—The humanbrain treats rejectionin a similar way to the way it
process physical pain, new research has suggested.
Pain from rejection and physical pain may not be so similar ...
University of Colorado Boulder
https://www.colorado.edu› today › 2014/11/18 › pain-...
Nov 18, 2014—“Physical pain and social rejection do activate similar regions
of the brain,”said CU-Boulder graduate student Choong-Wan Woo, lead author of...
When Some Adolescent Girls Internalize Rejection, It ...
UC Davis
https://www.ucdavis.edu› curiosity › news › when-som...
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
Jan 23, 2024—Theimmediate experience of social rejection leaves distinct
fingerprints on the brainthat can be measured by functional magnetic resonance...
Missing:pain| Show results with:pain
Social Rejection May Not Prompt Same Response in Brain ...
Neuroscience News
https://neurosciencenews.com› neuropsychology-reject...
Jun 20, 2013—A decade ago, a neuroimaging study of social rejection suggested that
the same neural signaturecharacterized physical and social pain, and a...
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https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24099-rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-rsd
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is when you experience severe emotional pain because of a
failure or feeling rejected. This condition is linked to ADHD and experts suspect it happens due
to differences in brain structure. Those differences mean your brain can’t regulate rejection-
related emotions and behaviors, making them much more intense.
ContentsOverview Symptoms and Causes Diagnosis and Tests Management and
Treatment Prevention Outlook / Prognosis Living With
Overview
What is rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD)?
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is when a person feels intense emotional pain
related to rejection. The word “dysphoria” comes from an ancient Greek word that
describes a strong — if not overwhelming — feeling of pain or discomfort. Though RSD
isn’t an officially recognized symptom or diagnosis, it’s still a term that experts use in
connection with recognized conditions.
While rejection is something people usually don’t like, the negative feelings that come
with RSD are stronger and can be harder to manage or both. People with RSD are also
more likely to interpret vague interactions as rejection and may find it difficult to control
their reactions.
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What’s the difference between rejection sensitivity and rejection
sensitive dysphoria?
RSD and rejection sensitivity are closely linked, but there are subtle differences. To
understand the differences, it helps to first know about an issue known as5emotional
dysregulation.
What is emotional dysregulation?
The human brain has an elaborate network of connections between its different areas.
Those areas have different jobs, with some areas managing memories, emotions, input
from your senses, etc. As you get older, your brain learns to regulate those signals,
keeping them at manageable levels. This is much like the volume control on a TV when
it keeps the sound at levels you find comfortable.
Emotional dysregulation happens when your brain can’t properly regulate the signals
related to your emotions. Without that ability to manage them, it’s as if the TV volume
control is stuck at a disruptively or painfully high level. In effect, emotional dysregulation
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
is when your emotions are too loud for you to manage, causing feelings of being
overwhelmed, uncomfortable or even in pain.
Emotional dysregulation can happen with many conditions, especially those affecting
your brain’s structure or how it processes information. It happens commonly
with5personality disorders,5mood disorders5and more.
Emotional dysregulation and rejection sensitivity
Emotional dysregulation happens with both rejection sensitivity and RSD. Dysphoria
doesn’t. People with rejection sensitivity can do one or more of the following:
Feel severe anxiety or other negative emotions before an anticipated rejection.
Have trouble seeing nonpositive interactions (such as neutral or vague reactions)
as anything but rejection and react accordingly.
Overreact to feelings of rejection, leading to behavior that reflects negative
emotions like anger, rage, extreme sadness, severe anxiety, etc.
While all of those are also possible with RSD, there’s one more component: People with
RSD describe feeling an intense — if not overwhelming — level of emotional pain.
Symptoms and Causes
What are the symptoms of rejection sensitive dysphoria?
As mentioned, the key symptom of RSD is intense emotional pain. That pain usually
has to be triggered by rejection or disapproval. However, people with RSD often have
difficulty describing what it feels like because it’s so intense and unlike most other forms
of pain (emotional or otherwise).
People with RSD often show the following traits and behaviors:
It’s very easy for them to feel embarrassed or self-conscious.
They show signs of low self-esteem and trouble believing in themselves.
They have trouble containing emotions when they feel rejected. This is often
noticeable in children and teenagers with this condition. Some may react with
sudden shows of anger or rage, while others may burst into tears.
Instead of losing control of their emotions outwardly, some people with RSD may
turn their feelings inward. This can look like a snap onset of severe depression,
and sometimes, it’s mistaken for sudden emotional shifts that can happen
with5bipolar disorder5or5borderline personality disorder.
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
They’re often “people pleasers” and become intensely focused on avoiding the
disapproval of others.
They may avoid starting projects, tasks or goals where there’s a chance of
failure.
They compensate for their fear of failure or rejection by going all-out or striving
for perfectionism. However, the downside of this is that they often experience
intense anxiety and may not easily make self-care or downtime a priority.
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Who does rejection sensitive dysphoria affect, and how common is it?
There’s limited available research on exactly who experiences RSD and how common it
is. But the condition seems to happen most often in people with5ADHD. Experts have
also linked it to other personality and mood disorders, but more research is necessary
regarding who experiences this issue and how common it is.
What causes rejection sensitive dysphoria?
Experts aren’t sure exactly why RSD happens. But they suspect it involves issues with
the structure of your brain and that it happens for similar reasons as ADHD.
Researchers do know that social rejection — even when it’s vague or uncertain —
causes similar brain activity to pain. They also know that the brain of someone with
ADHD doesn’t regulate internal communication the same way as the brain of someone
without ADHD. The brain areas that filter and regulate signals aren’t as active. This
means there’s less of a filter on brain activity.
This difference in regulating internal communication is why people with ADHD
commonly have trouble processing information from their senses. It also makes them
prone to feeling overwhelmed by loud noises, bright lights or sudden changes in what’s
happening around them. The brain of someone with ADHD might not be able to regulate
pain-like activity, which would explain why rejection is so much more troubling and
painful to someone with RSD.
Genetic connections
ADHD is a condition that has a genetic component, which means it commonly runs in
families. Likewise, RSD — which has strong links to ADHD — is also more likely to
have a genetic link.
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Is rejection sensitive dysphoria contagious?
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
RSD isn’t an infectious condition. You can’t catch it from or spread it to others.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is rejection sensitive dysphoria diagnosed?
RSD isn’t an officially recognized medical condition. It’s also a condition for which
there’s limited scientific research available. As a result, healthcare providers may not
know much about it or have a great deal of experience with it.
Instead, clinicians may suspect that you have it based on the symptoms you describe
and whether you have other conditions like ADHD. Unfortunately, providers may not
diagnose it because they aren’t familiar with RSD, or they mistake it for another
condition.
Management and Treatment
How is rejection sensitive dysphoria treated, and is there a cure?
While there’s much that experts don’t know about RSD, there are still ways that experts
can treat it. The treatment approaches can also take different forms, and it’s common to
use multiple treatment approaches at the same time.
Medications
Medications are the main way to treat RSD. The drugs in question typically treat ADHD
and related conditions. That’s because treating these conditions affects the same brain
areas responsible for RSD symptoms, so treating one condition affects both. Other
conditions have very similar effects on the same brain areas as RSD, and treatments for
those conditions can often help.
Because RSD isn’t an officially recognized medical condition, there aren’t any
medications specifically approved to treat it. Instead, healthcare providers use a
practice known as “off-label prescribing.”
Off-label prescribing means a healthcare provider prescribes a medication for conditions
other than the ones they’re specifically approved to treat. This kind of prescribing is
legal, medically acceptable and justified when evidence shows a medication has a low
risk of causing harmful side effects and is effective for off-label use.
The following medication types can treat RSD:
Alpha-2 receptor agonists . This type of medication activates a specific type of
chemical receptor found on neurons (brain cells) in specific brain areas.
Medications that activate those receptors, such as clonidine and guanfacine,
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
make those areas more active. Activating those brain areas makes it easier for
your brain to regulate internal communication, reducing the effect of RSD.
Stimulant medications . These medications increase the levels of
certain5neurotransmitters5in your brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical
messenger molecules that your brain uses to communicate and activate or
deactivate certain processes. Increasing certain types of neurotransmitters can
increase activity in specific brain areas. That’s how stimulant medications such
as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (commonly known as Adderall®) and
methylphenidate (better known as Ritalin®) make brain areas that regulate
communication more active.
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) medications. This class of medications
treats depression, but experts also know medications such as tranylcypromine
can help with RSD. However, you can’t take these medications at the same time
as other common medications for ADHD. You also have to be careful with what
you eat because certain foods (such as aged or strong cheeses, aged meats,
etc.) can interact with MAOIs and cause a dangerous spike in blood pressure.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy5(also known as mental health therapy) can help people with RSD.
Therapy doesn’t stop RSD from happening or affect the symptoms. Instead, therapy can
help a person learn how to process and manage feelings so they’re less overwhelming.
That can help a person with RSD feel more in control of their emotions.
What are the possible side effects or complications of treatment?
The possible side effects and complications of the various treatments depend on
various factors, especially the treatments themselves. Because of that, your healthcare
provider is the best person to tell you what side effects or complications are possible or
likely, and what you can do to limit how they affect you.
How do I take care of myself or manage the symptoms on my own?
If you think you have RSD, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to get a diagnosis
of a related condition like ADHD and then to follow up with a mental health provider.
Some people can learn to manage RSD on their own, but it’s difficult to do so. That’s
because RSD happens based on how your brain functions.
People with RSD also commonly have other mental health conditions, including anxiety
and depression. In most cases, it takes a combination of medication and mental health
therapy to learn to live with this condition. Your provider can recommend treatment
options and guide you on what you can do to help yourself as you learn to manage
RSD.
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
How soon after treatment will I feel better?
The time it takes to notice a difference from treatment depends on the treatments you
receive. Medications can help with the symptoms, but mental health therapy offers the
best chance of learning to live with RSD.
Because no two people’s brains are alike, and conditions like ADHD and RSD affect
people differently, the time it takes to notice changes and improvements can also vary.
Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you more about when you should
expect to notice changes and what else you can do to help yourself manage this
condition.
Prevention
How can I reduce my risk of developing rejection sensitive dysphoria or
prevent it entirely?
Unfortunately, RSD happens for unpredictable reasons that experts don’t yet
understand. Because of that, it’s impossible to prevent it or reduce your chances of
developing it.
Outlook / Prognosis
What can I expect if I have RSD?
People with RSD typically develop behaviors and mental health issues that stem from
their fear of rejection. Children with ADHD and RSD also face potential problems with
low self-esteem, fear of failure and severe5social anxiety. These issues can affect
performance in school, building social relationships and friendships, and more.
Researchers have also linked rejection sensitivity to a higher risk of having a personality
disorder.
Adults with RSD are more likely to experience anxiety, depression and loneliness.
People with RSD often avoid situations where the outcome or success is uncertain. This
can lead to avoiding job opportunities, forming friendships or romantic relationships, and
more.
How long does RSD last?
There’s limited available research to show how long RSD lasts. People may grow out of
ADHD as their brains develop, meaning that the condition eventually resolves on its
own. For people who don’t grow out of ADHD, a condition like RSD is most likely a
permanent, lifelong concern.
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
However, diagnosis and treatment — especially earlier in life — make it possible for
people to adapt and manage it. Eventually, people with RSD may overcome the effects
or at least learn how to limit its impacts on their lives.
What’s the outlook for this condition?
RSD on its own isn’t dangerous. But it does have connections to conditions that can be
dangerous. Among these are anxiety and depression, which may increase the risk of
self-harm or dying by suicide.
When to seek emergency care
You should get immediate help if you have thoughts about harming yourself, including
thoughts of5suicide, or about harming others. You should also seek immediate help if
you suspect someone you know is in imminent danger of harming themselves.
To get help in these situations, you can call any of the following:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (United States). This line can help people
who are struggling with suicidal thoughts or impulses. To call this line, dial 988.
Local crisis lines. Mental health organizations and centers in your area may
offer resources and help through crisis lines if you are struggling with thoughts of
suicide, self-harm or harming others.
911 (or your local emergency services number). You should call 911 (or the
local emergency services number) if you feel like you are (or someone you know
is) in5immediate5danger of self-harm or suicide. Operators and dispatchers for
911 lines can often help people in immediate danger because of a severe mental
crisis and send first responders to assist.
Living With
How do I take care of myself?
If you think you have RSD, it’s important to talk to a healthcare provider who specializes
or has experience with treating ADHD and its related conditions. A healthcare provider
is best prepared and qualified to diagnose RSD and guide you on possible treatments
and how to manage this condition.
You should also keep in mind the following:
Medications make a big difference. If medication is part of your treatment plan,
it’s important to build taking medication into your routine. These medications can
help make RSD and its effects easier for you to process and manage.
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
Find a therapist you click with and see them regularly. Learning to adapt
your thought processes and behaviors is crucial to managing RSD. Mental health
providers like therapists or counselors can help you develop new ways of
thinking and strategies that limit the impact of RSD on your life.
Make self-care a priority. Stress and anxiety can make RSD feel even worse.
Finding ways to limit your stress can help you adapt to RSD.
Be nicer to yourself. Failure and rejection are something that everyone
experiences at some point in life. Understanding and accepting that’s a part of
managing RSD. If you find yourself facing these feelings, finding healthy ways to
accept and process how you feel can help you avoid immediate reactions that
you might later wish you could take back.
How do I help my child if I think they have RSD?
Children who have ADHD have a much higher risk of also having RSD. If your child
shows symptoms of either, you can do the following to help them:
Talk to a healthcare provider. Early diagnosis and treatment can make an
enormous difference when it comes to the overall effect of RSD and its related
conditions.
Understand that RSD is real and how it works. Research shows that ADHD is
a condition that happens because of specific differences in an affected person’s
brain. Those same changes are likely what causes RSD to happen, too. That
means children with these conditions are often unable to manage their behavior
because of how their brains work, no matter how badly they want to or how hard
they try.
Be patient. Children with ADHD face challenges (see our article on what it
means to be5neurodivergent5to learn more), and frequent criticism can intensify
the effects of RSD and make it feel much worse.
Help your child learn resilience.5Failure and rejection happen to everyone.
Teaching children how to learn from failures and recover can help your child
cope with RSD and its effects.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is a problem that interferes with your ability to
regulate your emotional responses to feelings of failure and rejection. While rejection is
almost always unpleasant, people with RSD experience overwhelming levels of
emotional pain. This can lead to long-term mental health issues, fear of failure and
behavior changes that negatively affect them throughout their lives.
EMOTIONS AND NEUROLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FETUSES
While RSD isn’t an officially accepted medical condition, there’s growing evidence and
understanding of how this condition works. It’s also possible for healthcare providers to
treat it using treatments and approaches that help similar or related conditions. If you
suspect you have RSD, you should talk to a healthcare provider specializing in
conditions like ADHD. These professionals are best equipped to help you understand
and learn to manage this issue.
Medically Reviewed
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/30/2022.
Learn more about our5editorial process.
References
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