Rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) is a term used to describe intense emotional distress associated with actual, anticipated or perceived rejection, criticism, exclusion or failure. Although RSD is not a formally recognised diagnosis and research specifically examining it remains limited, some autistic people and people with ADHD find the term helpful in describing their experiences.
Drawing on current research and clinical experience, we explore three potentially interacting areas that may help us understand rejection-related distress:
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Rejection sensitivity: expectations and experiences of rejection, criticism or exclusion.
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Emotion dysregulation: difficulties managing emotional responses and recovering from intense distress.
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Trauma: the possible influence of previous traumatic experiences, including those involving rejection, bullying or exclusion.
We'll discuss how these experiences may interact and vary across childhood, adolescence and adulthood, while distinguishing established findings from emerging explanations.
We'll also describe practical, neurodiversity-affirming approaches to supporting regulation, relationships and wellbeing. This includes recognising actual rejection and addressing ongoing exclusion or invalidation, alongside supporting the person to understand and respond to their distress.
The webcast is suitable for autistic teenagers and adults, teenagers and adults with ADHD, parents and family members, mental health practitioners, educators and support workers.