What if the thing that hurts the most isn’t rejection itself, but how your brain processes it?

In this emotionally resonant solo episode, host Alice Draper unpacks the lived experience of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): a lesser-known but deeply felt condition experienced by many, especially those with ADHD. Through childhood memories, Reddit stories, and peer-reviewed research, she explores why RSD feels like a punch in the gut, and what we can do to cope with it.

Alice shares a painful moment from her teenage years that still echoes today: being excluded by a close friend in front of others, and the full-body shutdown that followed. It’s a familiar story for many people with rejection sensitive dysphoria ADHD, particularly rejection sensitive dysphoria women navigating friendships, love, and work in a world that often mistakes sensitivity for weakness.

You’ll hear from others too: Stories pulled from rejection sensitive dysphoria Reddit communities that reveal just how common and debilitating these experiences are. Alice also walks through evidence-backed strategies pulled from a rejection sensitive dysphoria workbook by Neurodivergent Insights, and introduces a free rejection sensitive dysphoria test that listeners can use to assess their own experience.

Whether you're searching how to cope with rejection sensitive dysphoria, how to overcome rejection sensitive dysphoria, or curious about rejection sensitive dysphoria ADHD treatment options, this episode offers understanding, science, and self-compassion in equal measure.

If you’ve ever felt “too sensitive,” this conversation will help you feel a little more seen, and a lot less alone.

What We Cover:

• What rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) actually is—and why it’s not just about being overly sensitive

• The neuroscience behind why social rejection activates the same part of the brain as physical pain

• A deeply personal story from Alice’s teenage years and how those feelings still show up today

• Raw, relatable Reddit posts from people living with RSD

• The staggering statistic that children with ADHD hear 20,000 more negative messages by age 10 (via Dr. William Dodson)

• A reputable, expert-backed rejection sensitive dysphoria test you can take to assess your symptoms

• A resource-rich article from Neurodivergent Insights that doubles as a rejection sensitive dysphoria workbook

• Tools and strategies for emotional regulation, black-and-white thinking, and self-compassion

  When (and how) to seek professional help—and what to know about ADHD treatment for rejection sensitive dysphoria