Take Our Free RSD Assessment
Evaluate your RSD symptoms with our comprehensive questionnaire
Breathing Rescue
When panic steals your breath, these techniques bring you back to life. 4-7-8 breathing, box breathing, and guided exercises to calm your nervous system instantly.
Instant Grounding
When emotions feel too big for your body, ground yourself in this moment. 5-4-3-2-1 sensory technique, physical reset methods, and present moment anchoring.
RSD Mantras
When your mind tells lies about your worth, speak these truths instead: "This feeling will pass", "I am not my emotions", "I am enough as I am".
Do people tell you you're "too sensitive"?
Does criticism hit you like a punch to the chest? You're not broken. Take our anonymous 2‑minute RSD assessment — find out if it explains why things feel unbearable.
Finally, Someone Gets It
You Are Not Too Sensitive. You Have RSD.
You have been told you are "too sensitive" your entire life. That rejection feels like physical pain because you are "dramatic." We are here to tell you: You are not broken. 90% of people with ADHD experience Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, yet most have never heard of it.
Evidence-Based Understanding
Every technique and approach is rooted in scientific research about RSD and ADHD. No generic advice – only targeted solutions that work.
Safe Community Space
Connect with others who truly understand your experience. No judgment, no "just get over it" – only validation and practical support.
Share Your Story
Real Stories of RSD Recovery
RSD Science & Facts
What The Research Says About RSD
Evidence-based information about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria from leading ADHD researchers and clinical studies. Understanding the science behind your experience.
Is RSD Real? What Does Science Say?
Yes, RSD is scientifically documented. Dr. William Dodson, a leading ADHD researcher, found that 99% of teens and adults with ADHD experience RSD. Brain imaging studies show that people with ADHD have heightened emotional sensitivity in the limbic system, making rejection feel like physical pain. This is not "being dramatic" – it is measurable neurological difference.
How Many People Have RSD?
Research indicates that 90-99% of people with ADHD experience RSD. Since ADHD affects 5-10% of the global population, millions of people worldwide live with RSD. However, only 12% of mental health professionals are familiar with RSD, leaving most people undiagnosed and struggling without proper support or understanding.
Why Does Rejection Feel Like Physical Pain?
Neuroimaging studies reveal that social rejection activates the same brain regions as physical pain – the anterior cingulate cortex and right ventral prefrontal cortex. In people with ADHD, these areas show hyperactivity, making emotional pain 50-100 times more intense than neurotypical individuals experience. This is why rejection truly "hurts" – your brain processes it as actual injury.
What Treatments Actually Work for RSD?
Clinical studies show that alpha-2 agonists (guanfacine, clonidine) can reduce RSD symptoms by 60-80%. However, immediate coping strategies are equally important: 4-7-8 breathing technique, grounding exercises, and cognitive reframing have shown significant effectiveness. Research emphasizes that understanding RSD as a neurological condition, not a character flaw, is crucial for recovery.
Does RSD Affect Everyone the Same Way?
Research shows significant variations: Women with ADHD report RSD symptoms 40% more frequently than men, likely due to socialization differences and masking behaviors. RSD typically emerges in adolescence when social dynamics become complex, peaking in severity during teens and early twenties. However, many adults remain undiagnosed until their 30s-40s when seeking help for their children with similar symptoms.
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