Do I Have RSD?
If rejection doesn't just sting — it devastates — you might be experiencing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.
You're not being dramatic. You're not "too sensitive." There's actually a neurological reason why rejection, criticism, and even the possibility of disapproval can feel unbearable.
What Does RSD Actually Feel Like?
Do any of these scenarios feel painfully familiar?
The Unanswered Text
You send a message to a friend. An hour passes. Then two. Your brain starts spinning: Did I say something wrong? Are they annoyed with me? By the time they reply with a cheerful "Sorry, was busy!" you've already lived through an emotional hurricane.
The Work Feedback
Your manager gives you feedback on a project. 90% is positive. But that one constructive comment? It loops in your head for days. You feel stupid, incompetent, like you're about to be fired — even though logically you know the feedback was helpful.
The Social Exclusion
You see photos of friends at a gathering you weren't invited to. The logical explanation is they just didn't think of it. But your brain screams: They don't want you there. They never really liked you. You were always the outsider.
The People-Pleasing Trap
You say yes to everything — extra work, favours, plans you don't want to attend. Not because you want to, but because saying no feels impossible. The thought of disappointing someone is physically painful.
The Avoidance Pattern
You don't apply for the job. Don't ask them out. Don't share your creative work. Not because you don't want to — but because if you don't try, you can't be rejected. Safety through invisibility.
The Relationship Loop
"Are you mad at me?" You ask your partner this constantly. A slightly different tone of voice, a distracted moment, a sigh — and you're convinced the relationship is over. You need reassurance, again and again.
If several of these feel painfully familiar, RSD might be part of your experience.
What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is an intense emotional response to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure. The word "dysphoria" comes from Greek, meaning "hard to bear" — and that's exactly what it feels like. The term was popularised by Dr. William Dodson, a psychiatrist specialising in ADHD.
Research suggests RSD operates through three core mechanisms:
- Anxious expectation of rejection — constantly bracing for it
- Ready perception of rejection — seeing it even in neutral situations
- Intense emotional reactions — disproportionate to the actual trigger
RSD is strongly linked to ADHD. Research indicates approximately 70% of adults with ADHD report heightened emotional sensitivity, with some clinicians suggesting the figure may be even higher. The same neurological differences that affect attention and focus also affect emotional regulation — the brain's alarm system for social threats is turned up to maximum.
Here's something important: RSD often develops as a protective response to repeated experiences of actual rejection during childhood. If you grew up being told you were "too much," "too sensitive," or constantly received negative feedback, your brain learned to anticipate and defend against rejection. You're not broken — your brain adapted to protect you.
It's important to know: RSD is not currently a formal psychiatric diagnosis in the DSM-5. But that doesn't make it less real. It's a widely recognised pattern that researchers and clinicians see repeatedly, especially in the ADHD community.
The key difference between RSD and normal disappointment isn't just intensity — it's the speed. RSD hits like a switch being flipped, often before the rational brain can even process what happened.
Am I Just Sensitive, or Is It RSD?
Everyone experiences rejection. Here's how RSD is different.
Normal Sensitivity
- •Feels bad, but manageable
- •Recovery happens relatively quickly
- •Response is proportionate to the trigger
- •You can reason your way through it
- •Disappointment stays in perspective
RSD Response
- •Feels catastrophic, overwhelming
- •Can last hours or days
- •Response is disproportionate to trigger
- •Logic doesn't help in the moment
- •Often involves physical sensations (chest tightness, nausea, heat)
Quick RSD Self-Check
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RSD and ADHD: Why Rejection Hits Harder
Research shows 70% of adults with ADHD report heightened emotional sensitivity. Dr. William Dodson, a psychiatrist who has specialised in ADHD for over 25 years, suggests the figure may be as high as 99%. Either way, it's remarkably common — yet remains one of the least talked about aspects of ADHD.
The connection makes sense when you understand how ADHD affects the brain. ADHD isn't just about attention — it's about regulation. The same neurological differences that make it hard to regulate focus also make it hard to regulate emotions. When rejection hits, the ADHD brain struggles to put on the brakes.
This doesn't mean RSD only affects people with ADHD. But if you have ADHD and haven't heard of RSD, learning about it can be life-changing. Suddenly, a lifetime of intense reactions starts to make sense.
What Can You Do About RSD?
Here's the good news: understanding RSD is the first step — and you're already doing that. Just knowing there's a name for what you experience, and that it's not a character flaw, can be genuinely healing.
Beyond understanding, there are evidence-based strategies that help. These include learning to recognise your triggers, developing in-the-moment coping techniques, building protective factors like self-compassion, and in some cases exploring medication options with a professional.
You don't have to figure this out alone. There's help for specific situations — whether it's RSD at work, in relationships, or as a parent supporting a child with rejection sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions About RSD
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