When Criticism Feels Crushing:
Understanding Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria
Does a small comment leave you reeling?
Do you worry you've upset someone—even when they say everything’s fine?
Do you pull away from people before they can push you away?
You might be experiencing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD)—an intense, fast, and often invisible emotional response to real or perceived rejection.
You're not too sensitive.
You're not imagining things.
Your brain is doing exactly what it was wired to do—and you deserve support that honors that reality.
Start Here: Take the RSD-24 Self-Assessment
The RSD-24 is a fast, research-informed screener designed for adults who want to understand how rejection sensitivity shows up in their lives.
It goes beyond a single score. You’ll get a personal breakdown across four key dimensions:
Anticipatory Anxiety – Do you brace for rejection before anything even happens?
Criticism Distress – How deeply do critiques or corrections affect you?
Emotional Regulation – How long does it take you to recover from rejection?
Social Withdrawal – Do you avoid situations where rejection might occur?
Knowing which areas are most reactive can help you (and your therapist) tailor your growth and healing.
➤ Takes about 5–7 minutes
➤ Insightful, strengths-based results
➤ Designed with neurodiverse adults in mind
What Is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is not a mental health diagnosis—it’s a lived experience. Often seen in individuals with ADHD or autism, RSD involves:
Deep emotional pain in response to perceived rejection
Intense shame, anger, or shutdown after criticism
A tendency to overthink, withdraw, or lash out—even with people you love
It’s not about weakness. It’s about how your nervous system interprets social threat. And once you understand it, you can learn how to respond differently.
How RSD Affects Neurodiverse Couples
In a relationship, RSD can be a silent disruptor.
When one partner has RSD, even neutral comments can feel loaded. A sigh sounds like disappointment. A pause feels like rejection. A suggestion hits like an accusation.
And when both partners are neurodivergent, these misfires can multiply. You both end up hurt, confused, and further apart—without ever intending it.
That’s the painful loop.
But it’s not permanent.
What We Can Work on Together
At the Neurodiverse Couples Counseling Center, our team of neuro-informed therapists works with individuals and couples navigating the emotional impact of RSD.
Together, we can help you:
Understand your RSD profile and where it's most active
Practice self-regulation tools that actually fit your nervous system
Learn how to give and receive feedback safely
Rebuild safety, trust, and connection—without walking on eggshells
Whether you’re the one living with RSD or the partner trying to understand it, you don’t have to go through it alone.
Ready to Learn More About Yourself?
It starts with one small, self-compassionate step.
➤ Book a Consultation with a Neuro-Informed Specialist
You're not too much. You're not broken. You're just wired differently—and we get it.