They Must Hate Me: Living with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria

RSD causes intense pain for neurodivergent folks. In this virtual workshop with a licensed therapist, learn what it is and how to handle it.

You got an email from a coworker, saying “I found an error in your part of the project. Please call me.” Their words seemed neutral enough, but you found yourself on the verge of tears, flooded with shame and certain that they think you’re incompetent.

Was it painful just to read that paragraph, remembering experiences like that? You might experience Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.

Many neurodiverse folks (especially those with ADHD), as well as people with a variety of mood and personality disorders, live with the pain of RSD. It’s marked by an emotional inability to handle rejection, real or assumed, and intense embarrassment, shame, pain that can even include physical pain, and discomfort in the face of others’ disapproval or silence. It can make emotional regulation difficult and secure relationships challenging to form.