Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is not an officially recognized medical condition, but it is a term used by doctors and therapists to describe intense emotional sensitivity and pain triggered by the perception of rejection or failure, which is often associated with ADHD. People with RSD find it hard to handle rejection and may develop a serious fear of it. RSD is likely an innate feature of ADHD, and it is caused by differences in brain structure that make it difficult for people with ADHD to regulate their emotions and control them as quickly as others without ADHD might. While RSD is not an official diagnosis, people with RSD are likely to experience the following symptoms:

• Intense emotional pain triggered by rejection, criticism, or teasing
• Difficulty regulating feelings and/or controlling emotional responses
• Serious fear of rejection
• Vigilance about avoiding rejection
• Instantaneous rage at the person or situation responsible for causing the pain

There is no published peer-reviewed research on RSD, but experts believe that it is a real condition that cannot be ignored. 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.