Podcasts about rejection sensitive dysphoria

In this episode, Ben sits down with Dr Shyamal Mashru, Consultant Psychiatrist and Medical Lead for Adult ADHD, for a clear and compassionate deep dive into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD).Often misunderstood or dismissed as being “too sensitive,” RSD is explored here as a real, neurological experience - one that can hijack rational thought, flood the body with emotional pain, and quietly shape relationships, work, and self-worth. Dr Shyamal explains what RSD is (and isn't), how it shows up differently across people, and why ADHD brains may be especially vulnerable.They unpack the science, the role of trauma and hormones, why RSD isn't currently in the DSM, and what actually helps when rejection hits hard.If rejection feels overwhelming, confusing, or deeply personal - this conversation offers clarity, relief, and language for what you may have been carrying alone.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.________Host: Ben BransonProduction Manager: Phoebe De LeiburnéVideo Editor: James ScrivenSocial Media Manager: Charlie YoungMusic: Jackson GreenbergHead of Marketing: Kristen Fuller00:00 Introduction01:00 Dr Shyamal Mashru's ADHD Background & Clinical Work03:15 What Surprises Clinicians About ADHD Assessments04:41 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Explained: What RSD Is & Why It Hurts09:16 RSD Coping Mechanisms: Shutdown, People-Pleasing & Avoidance11:44 Is It RSD or Something Else? How to Tell the Difference15:05 The Neuroscience of RSD: Why Rational Thinking Switches Off17:27 RSD in Romantic Relationships & Attachment21:33 How to Support a Partner With Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria22:50 How Aware Is Society of RSD?24:38 RSD, Hormones & ADHD: Menstrual Cycle, Perimenopause & Menopause26:33 Is There an Upside to RSD? Emotional Depth & Sensitivity29:56 Can Non-ADHD People Experience RSD?31:55 RSD vs Trauma & Fear of Failure34:46 Why RSD Is More Than “Not Handling Rejection”36:15 Why Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Isn't in the DSM40:00 How RSD Shows Up in Children41:29 Early Signs & Patterns Clinicians Look For42:59 How Common Is RSD in ADHD — and When It Appears46:20 Treating RSD: Therapy, Medication & Regulation56:18 The One Thing Dr Shyamal Would Change About RSD AwarenessThe Hidden 20% is a charity founded by AuDHD entrepreneur, Ben Branson.Our mission is simple: To change how the world sees neurodivergence.No more stigma. No more shame. No more silence.1 in 5 people are neurodivergent. That's 1.6 billion of us - yet too many are still excluded, misunderstood, or left without support.To break the cycle, we amplify voices, challenge myths, and keep showing up. Spotlighting stories, stats and hard truths. Smashing stereotypes through honest voices, creative campaigns and research that can't be ignored.Every month, over 50,000 people turn to The Hidden 20% to feel safe, seen and to learn about brilliant brains.With your support, we can reach further, grow louder, and keep fighting for the 1 in 5 who deserve more.Join us at hidden20.org/donate.Become a monthly donor.Be part of our community where great minds think differently.Brought to you by charity The Hidden 20% #1203348______________Follow & subscribe…Website: www.hidden20.orgInstagram / TikTok / Youtube / X: @Hidden20charityBen Branson @seedlip_benDr Shymal Mashru @adhdhealthclinicwww.adhdhealthclinic.co.ukIf you'd like to support The Hidden 20%, you can buy a "green dot" badge at https://www.hidden20.org/thegreendot/p/badge. All proceeds go to the charity. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Mark Rackley is an AuDHD specialist with more than two decades of experience helping people with ADHD and Autism. He's back by popular demand to help you process your late AuDHD diagnosis and discuss the risks of undiagnosed AuDHD. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 03:09 How common is AuDHD 04:53 What AuDHD actually feels like 07:18 The shame of being AuDHD 10:44 How to manage AuDHD 18:27 How people react after AuDHD diagnosis 20:45 How to process a late AuDHD diagnosis 29:35 Tiimo advert 30:36 Risks of undiagnosed AuDHD 32:42 The risks of AuDHD monotropism 35:45 How to live successfully with ADHD and Autism 39:49 Is AuDHD hard to communicate 41:54 New groundbreaking AuDHD research 44:39 Audience questions 51:10 How to help an AuDHD friend/family member 56:15 A letter to my younger self Find Mark on Instagram

Dr Judith Mohring is a Cambridge educated psychiatrist who specialises in ADHD. She's here to guide you through the 5 stages of processing a late ADHD diagnosis. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer  03:33 The hardest part of a late ADHD diagnosis  04:34 Grief 06:44 Resentment  13:38 Relief  15:08 Unmasking realisations  18:49 Complex diagnosis emotions  20:27 Tiimo advert  21:29 Late diagnosis regression  23:53 How to unlearn ‘normal' 37:21 Personal growth after a diagnosis  39:19 Most popular audience questions  42:49 Judith's ADHD item Visit Dr Judith Mohring's website

What if the reason you haven't finished the thing you keep thinking about isn't motivation, discipline, or follow-through — but fit? In this episode, Eric is joined by Katherine Mutti Driscoll, PhD, an AuDHD coach, educator, and author, for a conversation that starts with writing a book and quickly becomes something much bigger: how neurodivergent adults actually get meaningful work done. They explore why so many ADHD and AuDHD adults carry "someday projects" for years, how structure (not willpower) turns intention into action, and why unmasking isn't just about identity — it's about designing systems that work with your nervous system instead of against it. Writing is the case study. Adaptation is the point. In This Episode, We Talk About Why motivation isn't the real problem for ADHD and AuDHD adults How an interest-based nervous system shapes creativity and follow-through The role of structure, deadlines, and external accountability in finishing big projects ADHD, autism, and the balance between novelty and predictability Unmasking your process and letting go of "normal" ways of working Why you don't have to love the process to do meaningful work Perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and surviving the one-star review Dictation, movement, printing drafts, and other non-traditional workflows How support, containers, and community make progress possible A Key Takeaway You don't need to become more disciplined. You need a container that fits. When the system works for your brain, the work has a chance to happen. About the Guest Katherine Mutti Driscoll, PhD is an AuDHD coach, educator, and author. She holds a PhD in education, is trained through the International ADHD Coach Training Center and Impact Parents, and is currently studying to become a mental health counselor. Katherine is the author of The ADHD Workbook for Teen Girls and is currently working on her second book focused on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Website: https://catherinemuttidriscoll.com Book (The ADHD Workbook for Teen Girls, New Harbinger): https://www.newharbinger.com/9781648482809/the-adhd-workbook-for-teen-girls/ Resources & Links Mentioned ADHD reWired (podcast, resources, and programs): https://www.adhdrewired.com ADHD reWired Coaching & Accountability Groups: https://www.adhdrewired.com/arc Adult Study Hall (ADHD-friendly virtual coworking): https://www.adultstudyhall.com Internal Family Systems (IFS / parts work): https://ifs-institute.com Interest-Based Nervous System (ADDitude overview): https://www.additudemag.com/interest-based-adhd-nervous-system/

Dr. William (Bill) Dodson, M.D., LF-APA, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and has spent his career helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes from ADHD treatment. Dr. Dodson has been instrumental in advancing the field's understanding of the emotional component of ADHD, most notably through his recognition of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (“RSD”) as a core feature. His work with patients with highly complex psychiatric needs has earned him international acclaim. He has written more than 120 articles and produced 17 webinars for ADDitude and the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. He serves on ADDitude's Medical Advisory Panel. Chapters: 00:54 What is RSD and how people experience it 07:11 Why did you coin the phrase ‘RSD' 12:55 Is RSD a lonely experience 19:05 Is RSD your inner child throwing a tantrum 22:26 The link between emotional dysregulation and RSD 28:22 The darkest side of RSD 34:59 Dealing with regrets after an ADHD diagnosis 37:01 Tiimo advert 42:59 RSD is women VS men 45:16 How long an RSD trigger lasts 47:18 Can RSD be comparable to PTSD 49:16 RSD in romantic relationships 01:04:50 Can RSD cause agoraphobia or OCD 01:07:25 Tools to stop RSD 01:11:40 Other names for RSD 01:14:01 Audience questions Visit Dr William's website

Episode:  E1168 - PERSONAL PODCAST – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Description:  A tough week for dealing with a lot of real issues, combined with technicians around the house and a dog who would have no part of Steve being anywhere in the house.  Coupled with Chaos full episodes and bonus content subscriptions are available here:  Premium Content, including Additional 90 Day Fiancé episodes, coverage of other TLC and A&E shows and even some crime news along with more personal podcast episodes are available by subscription at:   Supercast: https://coupledwithchaosnetwork.supercast.tech/   Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/coupledwithchaos   Apple: Coupled with Chaos Channel: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/coupled-with-chaos/id6442522170   Contacts us:  Email: Coupledwithchaos@gmail.com  Web site: https://coupledwithchaos.com  Facebook: @Coupledwithchaos  Instagram: @Coupledwithchaos  Twitter: @CoupledwChaos

Episode: PERSONAL PODCAST – Rejection Sensitive DysphoriaDescription: A tough week for dealing with a lot of real issues, combined with technicians around the house and a dog who would have no part of Steve being anywhere in the house. Coupled with Chaos full episodes and bonus content subscriptions are available here: Premium Content, including Additional 90 Day Fiancé episodes, coverage of other TLC and A&E shows and even some crime news along with more personal podcast episodes are available by subscription at:  Supercast: https://coupledwithchaosnetwork.supercast.tech/  Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/coupledwithchaos  Apple: Coupled with Chaos Channel: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/coupled-with-chaos/id6442522170  Contacts us: Email: Coupledwithchaos@gmail.com Web site: https://coupledwithchaos.com Facebook: @Coupledwithchaos Instagram: @Coupledwithchaos Twitter: @CoupledwChaos 

Does your brain feel like 7 highly caffeinated squirrels are barrelling around up there? Does this cause overwhelm, anxiety and procrastination? Do you feel like you can't start basic chores? Here are 12 unhinged ADHD hacks that ACTUALLY work! Chapters: 02:10 Pinch your thoughts 04:17 Start with ‘No' 07:26 The dopamine menu 10:34 Leave laptop charger at home 13:06 The task finisher hack 14:23 ‘To do list' VS backlog 16:40 Slower mornings, not earlier mornings 20:07 Tiimo advert 21:24 Just one dish 23:54 Scary hour 25:32 RSD bracelet 30:43 Blink for one minute 31:39 Check your tribe Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription

Send us a textMegan and Michelle ponder Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, severed brake lines, fawning, FOMO, yellow Bianca, horrible bitches, Tuesday trivia, gaslighting yourself, and death by a thousand cuts. Sources:Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (Cleveland Clinic)The Unbearable Heartache of Rejection Sensitive DysphoriaSo what's the deal with rejection sensitive dysphoria?Understanding ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (thevibewithky on Instagram)RSD Explained (ADHD Chatter on Instagram)Highly Sensitive vs Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (thepsychdoctormd on Instagram)****************Want to support Prosecco Theory?Become a Patreon subscriber and earn swag!Check out our merch, available on teepublic.com!Follow/Subscribe wherever you listen!Rate, review, and tell your friends!Follow us on Instagram!****************Ever thought about starting your own podcast? From day one, Buzzsprout gave us all the tools we needed get Prosecco Theory off the ground. What are you waiting for? Follow this link to get started. Cheers!!Support the show

In this episode, I'm joined by Lisa Candera, a fellow ADHDer, autism mom, attorney, and parent coach who helps parents regulate themselves first so they can better support their neurodivergent kids. This conversation is raw, honest, and deeply needed—especially if you've ever felt like you're holding everything together while quietly falling apart.Lisa and I talk about what really happens when parenting a neurodivergent child pushes you to your limits—emotionally, physically, and mentally. We explore why traditional parenting strategies often backfire, how parent regulation changes everything, and what to do when behaviors escalate beyond what feels manageable. If you're parenting a neurodivergent child and wondering, “Why isn't this working?”—this episode is for you.Lisa Candera is a single mom, attorney, ADHD-er, and autism mom coach. She helps parents of autistic children regulate themselves first so they can show up for their kids with compassion, clarity, and strength. Her upcoming book explores what it means to be a “solid object” for your child: not fixing, not co-escalating, but standing steady in the storm. She hosts The Autism Mom Podcast (top 2%) and has been featured in numerous top podcasts, like Turn Autism Around and On The Hard Days. Episode Highlights:[0:48] – Introducing Lisa Candera and why parent regulation matters more than we think [2:20] – The moment Lisa realized she was just as dysregulated as her son [3:22] – Why parent coaching often matters more than child-focused interventions [5:25] – How traditional parenting approaches can backfire with neurodivergent kids [6:13] – Lisa's late ADHD diagnosis and how it reframed her parenting and career [11:16] – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and taking your child's behavior personally [13:34] – When behaviors turn physical and safety becomes the priority [16:26] – Understanding the “order of operations” during behavioral crises [22:54] – How to find autism-informed medical and mental health support [27:22] – Why ABA isn't always the right fit, especially with OCD and anxiety [34:44] – Proactive strategies to reduce escalation before fight-or-flight hits [36:06] – Co-regulation vs. compliance and why “doing less” can help more [38:22] – Reframing behavior as communication—not disrespect [44:21] – Regulating yourself as a parent when you're triggered [49:41] – The truth Lisa wishes she could tell her past self Links & ResourcesLisa's website: https://theautismmomcoach.comLisa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theautismmomcoach/ Lisa on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theautismmomcoach The Autism Mom Coach PodcastThank you for tuning into "SuccessFULL with ADHD." If this episode has impacted you, remember to rate, follow, share, and review our podcast. Your support helps us reach and help more individuals navigating their journeys with ADHD. 

Dr Alex George is an ADHD and autism specialised doctor and one of the most renowned voices in the ADHD space. With personal experience involving ADHD & mental wellbeing, this is a conversation you can't miss if you want to understand your ADHD on a deeper level. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 02:47 How to manage ADHD overstimulation 07:03 Dr Alex's ADHD mission 10:34 The emotional consequence of masking 13:24 The connection between masking and loneliness 15:11 Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria 27:39 Signs of AuDHD 32:43 Masking 35:14 Tiimo advert 53:09 Dr Alex's ADHD item 58:09 Washing machine of woes 01:02:31 A letter to my younger self Buy Dr Alex's book

Dr Asad Rafi is a leading psychiatrist who's assessed thousands of women for ADHD and autism. He's here to explain how to process a late diagnosis and how to reach your untapped potential. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer  01:09 Is it OK for men to talk about female ADHD 03:52 Dr Asad's most heartbreaking patient  06:50 Dr Asad's mission  10:14 Alexithymia in ADHD adults  12:10 How to manage ADHD stress and sleep  13:57 ADHD women are the most stressed group on the planet  14:07 Why ADHD women were missed 17:26 ADHD women deserve an apology 20:38 A lifetime of missed opportunities  23:41 Tiimo advert  24:52 The most debilitating ADHD traits (Dysautonomia) 25:38 question  32:11 Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria  37:46 What ADHD overwhelm can look like  40:48 Alexithymia and RSD 43:16 Advice for late diagnosed ADHD women  45:28 Audience questions  49:20 A letter to my younger self  Visit Dr Asad Raffi's clinic

Dr Khurram is a world renowned, award-winning psychiatrist and author of Explaining AuDHD. He's here to explain what AuDHD really feels like, how to spot the signs of AuDHD and how to thrive with AuDHD. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:31 Is Autism a friend to ADHD? 03:14 The confusing nature of AuDHD 05:02 What makes sense after AuDHD diagnosis 07:15 Dr Khurram's AuDHD mission 09:39 What AuDHD actually is 15:40 The signs of AuDHD 20:24 What AuDHD looks like from the outside 22:49 What AuDHD perfectionism looks like 25:11 The risks of undiagnosed AuDHD 27:36 Tiimo advert 28:47 Is AuDHD a lonely experience 30:28 How ADHD masks the autism 33:41 Post AuDHD diagnosis emotions 45:27 The link between AuDHD and mental health 47:13 When is an AuDHD person happiest 49:08 The importance of early understanding in kids 50:39 Khurram's AuDHD item 52:56 Audience questions 55:53 A letter to my younger self Dr Khurram on LinkedIn

Show Notes:Hello and welcome to Authentically ADHD – I'm Carmen, and I'm so glad you're tuning in. Today we're exploring a topic I know many of us grapple with: why you're still exhausted even after resting, especially when you're both autistic and ADHD (often called AuDHD). If you've ever wondered, “I took a break, so why do I still feel drained?” this episode is for you.We often hear about the idea of a “social battery.” The classic metaphor goes like this: social time drains you, alone time or rest recharges you, then you're good to go again. It's a handy way to explain why you might feel wiped out after a party or a day of meetings – you used up your social battery and need some quiet time to recharge. For neurotypical folks or even just introverts, that simple formula sometimes works: hang out with people (battery drains), spend a night in (battery refills), and you're refreshed.But if you're neurodivergent – and especially if you're AuDHD (autistic + ADHD) – you've probably noticed it's not that simple. You might spend a weekend resting at home only to wake up on Monday still bone-tired. Or you take a day off to recharge, and by evening you're more exhausted than before. What gives? In today's episode, we're going to answer that. We'll talk about why the one-dimensional social battery metaphor doesn't fully capture what's happening in our brains and bodies. We'll dive into the neuroscience behind exhaustion in autism and ADHD: it's not just being “peopled out” – it's also things like masking, sensory overload, executive function fatigue, chronic stress mode, and even missed signals from our own bodies.By understanding these factors, we can start to make sense of why just “resting” isn't always enough for us. Importantly, we'll discuss what real rest means for an AuDHD brain. I'll share some strategies and tips on how to recharge the right way (because if your rest isn't targeting the actual type of tired you are, it's not going to truly restore you). And be sure to stick around till the end – I have 7 reflection questions for you. These will help you apply what we talk about to your own life, so you can figure out what drains your energy and how to refill your tank more effectively.So, grab a comfy seat, maybe a notebook, and let's unpack why you're still exhausted after rest – and what we can do about it.The Classic “Social Battery” Metaphor – And Its LimitsLet's start with that “social battery” idea. It's a popular way to describe energy levels, especially for introverts. The idea is pretty straightforward: social interaction uses energy, and solitude or downtime charges you back up. For example, if you spend all day socializing with coworkers or attending events, you might feel drained – your social battery is empty. Then you recharge by being alone, watching Netflix, reading, sleeping, what have you. The next day, your battery is full again (or at least partially recharged) and you repeat the cycle.This metaphor resonates because it acknowledges that socializing can be tiring, even if it's fun. It's commonly mentioned for conditions like ADHD or just shy/introverted personalities: “I need to recharge my social battery.” For neurotypical people, often a good night's sleep or a quiet Sunday morning might indeed restore that sense of energy.But here's the catch: the social battery model assumes only one dimension of fatigue – social energy in versus out. It treats all “rest” as equal, like plugging your phone into any charger will top it off. For those of us with ADHD, autism, or both (AuDHD), our experience tells a more complex story. We don't just have a single battery that drains and refills; we have an entire panel of batteries or fuel tanks, each for different kinds of energy. Sometimes you're not even sure which battery is low – you just know you're running on fumes. And crucially, if you try to recharge in the wrong way, it's like putting the wrong fuel in a car: you don't get very far, and you might even stall out.Have you ever tried to rest – say you cleared your weekend to do nothing – and you did all the “right” restful things like sleeping in or binging a show, but you still felt wiped out on Monday? I've been there. Before I understood the multiple dimensions of burnout, I would get frustrated at myself: “I rested, why am I still tired? What's wrong with me?” The social battery idea would have me believe that rest = recharge, so if I rested and I'm still tired, I must be doing something wrong. But the truth was, my rest wasn't actually addressing the kind of exhaustion I had.The classic metaphor doesn't account for things like:Mental overload – maybe your mind was exhausted from racing thoughts or decision-making, but your “rest” didn't quiet your mind.Sensory overload – maybe your senses were still on high alert from a noisy, bright, chaotic week, and watching TV on the couch kept bombarding you with light and sound.Emotional strain – maybe you were carrying stress or anxiety (perhaps from masking your true self or holding in emotions), and “resting” by doing nothing didn't process those feelings.Physical fatigue – maybe your body needed real recovery (nutrition, hydration, movement or sleep), but your rest was just lying around without addressing those needs.Executive function fatigue – perhaps you spent all week forcing your ADHD brain to stay organized and on-task, which is extremely draining, and simply taking time off work didn't automatically replenish that mental fuel.In other words, neurodivergent exhaustion is multi-faceted, and the social battery idea is just one piece of the puzzle. For AuDHD folks, social interaction itself can be exhausting, yes, but why it's exhausting goes beyond just “I don't like being around people too long.” There are underlying factors – neurological and physiological – that make social settings or daily life in general more draining for us than for others. Let's break down those factors.Why AuDHD Exhaustion Is More Than “Just Social”When you have autism, ADHD, or both, several concurrent processes are depleting your energy throughout the day. It's like having multiple apps running on your mental phone battery. If we ignore all but one, we miss the full picture. Here are some of the big drains on an AuDHD “battery”:1. The Masking Labor – Hidden Exhaustion of “Acting Normal”Masking refers to hiding or suppressing your natural neurodivergent behaviors to fit into a neurotypical world. Think of it as a social survival strategy: you force yourself to maintain eye contact even though it's uncomfortable, you hold back your stims (like fidgeting or rocking) to seem “calm,” you laugh when you're supposed to even if you're confused, you constantly monitor your tone and words so you don't offend or seem weird. Basically, you're running a mental filter 24/7 to appear “normal.” That is hard work!For autistic people especially, masking can be an enormous cognitive and emotional load. It's not just casually wearing a “social face”; it's more like performing a play where you're the actor and the director, constantly watching yourself from the outside. For ADHD folks, masking might involve holding back your impulsive comments, forcing yourself to sit still and appear attentive, or over-preparing for conversations so you don't lose track.All this mental multitasking consumes a ton of energy. Imagine your brain as a computer running several heavy programs at once – eventually it's going to lag or overheat. When you're masking, you might be:Analyzing every social cue and your own reactions (“Am I smiling enough? Did that joke land? Do I seem interested?”).Inhibiting natural impulses (“Don't stim, don't interrupt, don't pace even though I'm restless…”).Translating your intended words into more “acceptable” phrases.Absorbing the stress of not being able to relax or be yourself.No wonder by the time you get home from work or a social gathering, you feel like you ran a marathon (even if all you did was sit in a conference room or a cafe). Masking is exhausting. It's often described as wearing a heavy costume all day; when you finally take it off, you might physically collapse. This is a huge reason your “social battery” drains so fast and stays low: you weren't just socializing, you were performing and self-censoring nonstop.2. Sensory Processing Load – When the World Overwhelms Your SensesMany autistic and ADHD individuals experience sensory sensitivities. This means ordinary environments can feel like an assault on your nervous system. The lights in a grocery store are glaring and fluorescent, the chatter at a party is a jumble of noise, the fabric of your shirt tag is scratching your neck all day – these might barely register for a neurotypical person, but for us, they can be intensely distracting or irritating.Your brain is constantly processing sensory input: sight, sound, touch, smell, movement, etc. In neurotypical brains, there's a filter – they can often tune out background noise or adapt quickly to stimuli. In an AuDHD brain, that filter may be weaker or just different. Everything comes in at full volume, so to speak. As a result, you're expending energy just to exist in what others call a “normal” environment. You might not realize how much work your brain is doing to process and cope with the sensory avalanche until you find yourself utterly drained for “no obvious reason.”It's not just mentally tiring; it activates your physiology. When you're in sensory overload, your body can go into a mild fight-or-flight state. Think about being startled by a sudden loud noise – your heart jumps, adrenaline spikes. Now imagine smaller scale but chronic versions of that throughout your day: the phone ringing, the traffic noise, the uncomfortable chair, the strong perfume in the elevator. Your body might be perpetually a little on edge. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline might be slightly elevated as your system says “too much, too much!” Even if you consciously try to ignore a chaotic environment, your nervous system is still reacting. Over time, living in that amped-up state will wear you out.So if you spend a day in a noisy, busy setting (say, an open-plan office or a crowded mall), you might come home utterly spent. And here's the kicker – if your idea of “rest” is, say, plopping on the couch with the TV on, you might not actually be giving your sensory system a break. The TV is still light and sound. Your phone screen is still input. If sensory overload was a big part of your energy drain, you need sensory rest: dim lighting, silence or calm music, maybe a weighted blanket or whatever soothes your senses. Without addressing that, a quiet night might only pause the overload without truly clearing it, leaving you still jittery or frazzled the next day.3. Executive Function Taxes – Paying the “Brain Tax” on Every TaskExecutive function is like the brain's management system – it covers things like planning, organizing, focusing, remembering details, switching tasks, and controlling impulses. Both ADHD and autism can come with executive function challenges (though they might show up differently). For ADHD in particular, things like staying focused, following steps, meeting deadlines, and making decisions can require intense conscious effort. It's not that we can't do them – we often can, but it's like driving with the parking brake on. We have to press the gas harder to go the same distance.Studies have found that adults with ADHD use up more mental energy throughout the day just managing routine tasks. One psychologist described it well: people with ADHD exert greater effort on everyday decisions and self-control, which “burns up mental fuel” at a faster rate than neurotypicals. Have you ever felt strangely tired after doing “nothing” except answer emails or make a few simple phone calls? That could be because for an ADHD brain, shifting attention between those emails, resisting the urge to check social media, remembering what you had to do next, all of that took a lot of invisible effort.Autistic folks, on the other hand, might get mentally drained from tasks like navigating transitions (shifting from one activity to another can be jarring) or dealing with unpredictability without a clear plan. Planning and adapting – those executive functions – can take a lot of conscious processing if your brain doesn't do it automatically.All day long, we're essentially paying an “executive function tax.” Every time you force yourself to concentrate on a boring task, every time you have to break down a project into steps, every time you coach yourself through procrastination or try to remember an appointment – that's a withdrawal from your cognitive energy reserves. By evening, you've been taxing that system so heavily that you might experience brain fog, trouble concentrating, or an inability to make even trivial decisions (“decision fatigue” – like staring at the fridge unable to decide on dinner).If your rest doesn't give your executive brain a break – for example, if you “rest” by doing something mentally complex like reading dense articles or doing a puzzle when your mind was what was exhausted – you may not feel recovered. Sometimes what we need is true mental rest: no complex planning, maybe even a break from screens and information intake, letting our thoughts wander or doing a mindless simple activity. Without identifying that need, you might mistakenly think “I just need more sleep,” but eight hours later you still wake up mentally exhausted, because your mind never got a break from overdrive.4. Stress-System Activation – Living in Fight-or-Flight ModeThis one underpins all the above: chronic stress. Both living with ADHD and autism can be chronically stressful, even if you love your life and manage well. There's the stress of trying to meet neurotypical expectations, the stress of sensory assault, the stress of potential social missteps or failures at work, and often a history of anxiety or trauma from not being understood. All this means our sympathetic nervous system (the fight-or-flight responder) might be activated more often or more intensely.Physiologically, when you perceive a challenge or threat (and “challenge” can be as mundane as the boss unexpectedly asking you a question, or a sudden loud noise that startles you), your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. Your heart rate might go up, blood pressure increases, senses heighten. It's your body's way of gearing up to face something. That's fine in short bursts, but if it's happening repeatedly through the day, you don't get much time in the restorative, relaxed state (the parasympathetic “rest and digest” mode).Being constantly in a subtle fight-or-flight mode is exhausting. It also affects sleep and energy recovery. For instance, if your stress system is always a bit activated, you might have trouble winding down at night or you might not get deep, quality sleep. You could sleep a full night and still wake up tired because physiologically, your body hasn't truly relaxed. Chronic stress can also mess with things like muscle tension (ever realize you've been clenching your jaw or shoulders all day?), digestion, and immune function – which can all indirectly make you feel more fatigued and rundown.For AuDHD people, stress might be coming from multiple angles: social anxiety, ADHD-related worries (“Did I forget something important again?”), sensory stress, or just the general pressure of appearing fine while you're actually struggling. Even exciting positive things can register as stress to the body – like hyperfocus or sensory excitement can amp you up similar to anxiety. So if you're constantly running “hot” internally, you need cooling-off periods. If your rest doesn't include something that actually calms your nervous system – like deep breathing, mindfulness, gentle movement, a safe feeling environment – you might stay in a semi-stressed state even during downtime. That means your “battery” isn't recharging; at best, you're just not draining it further for a while.5. Interoception Glitches – Missing Your Body's Early Warning SignalsInteroception is a fancy word for the internal sense of your body's condition – basically, feeling your own internal signals like hunger, thirst, tiredness, pain, needing the bathroom, etc. Many autistic people (and some ADHD folks too) have differences or delays in interoception. This can mean you don't notice your needs until they're screaming at you.Think about times you suddenly realize, “Oh my gosh, I'm starving – I haven't eaten in 8 hours!” or you're shivering and only then notice you're cold. Or you're so deeply focused on a project (thanks hyperfocus) that you don't realize you're exhausted until you stand up and almost fall over. That's interoceptive unawareness – our internal “fuel gauge” is not very accurate.For an AuDHD person, this might lead to literally running on fumes. You might be extremely low on energy but not fully register it until you hit a wall (like a shutdown or a meltdown or just a sudden wave of exhaustion that knocks you out). Likewise, you might not identify what kind of rest you need. You just feel “bad” or “tired” or “crappy” but can't tell if it's because you're dehydrated, or overstimulated, or emotionally upset. So you might try the wrong fix. For example:You feel out of it, so you assume you need a nap. But maybe what you needed was actually food and water (physical need), so you wake up from the nap still feeling off.Or you feel “tired” but actually you've been sitting indoors all day and your body is under-stimulated physically and craving movement (some ADHDers know the feeling of being lethargic from lack of activity). If you just lie down more, you feel even worse, whereas a short walk or some stretches might have rejuvenated you.Or you feel mentally drained and foggy, so you try to push through with caffeine and working more, when actually your brain desperately needed a break from screens and information (mental rest).When interoception isn't giving clear signals, it's easy to mis-match our rest to our need. We also tend to wait too long to address our needs. It's like driving your car until the fuel light is not just on, but the tank is nearly empty and the car is sputtering – then you pull into a random gas station and try to fill up without knowing what type of fuel you needed. If you put diesel in a gasoline engine, the car's not going to run, right? Similarly, if you try a form of “rest” that isn't what your body or brain actually require, you won't feel better. You might get a brief pause, but not true recovery.This can become a vicious cycle: you rest ineffectively, still feel exhausted, maybe even more frustrated (“I rested and it didn't help, why bother?”), and then you push yourself further next time, edging closer to burnout.So, to sum up this section: the social battery is more complicated for AuDHD folks because multiple systems are draining your energy – social interaction plus masking, sensory processing, executive function, stress responses, and trouble noticing your needs. It's like having five batteries in parallel, and when you say “I'm drained,” it could be one or all of them that are empty. If you only recharge one, the others might still be flashing red.Now that we understand why you might still feel exhausted after what you thought was adequate rest, let's talk about the science and physiology a bit more, and then we'll move on to strategies for tackling this in real life.The Physiology Behind AuDHD ExhaustionYou might be wondering, “Okay, so these different drains make sense, but what's actually happening in my body? Is this all in my head or is there a real physical basis for why I'm so wiped out?” It's very real, and neuroscience and physiology back it up. Let's take a peek under the hood of the AuDHD body and brain when it comes to energy:Brain Energy and Cognitive Effort: The brain, even though it's just 2% of our body weight, uses a ton of energy – some estimates say about 20% of our daily calories. When you're engaging in heavy cognitive effort (like constant self-control, focus, or social navigation), you're burning through glucose (sugar energy) in the brain at a faster rate. Neurotypical brains might solve a problem or engage in small talk using X amount of energy. An ADHD or autistic brain might need 2X because it's working harder to stay on track or decode the social nuances. Over a day, that adds up. By late afternoon, you might literally be low on brain fuel, which is why you experience that heavy fatigue or brain fog. It's not just mood or laziness – it can be a sign your brain's resources are depleted.Dopamine and Neurotransmitters: ADHD is associated with differences in dopamine regulation – dopamine is a neurotransmitter important for motivation, focus, and reward. If your brain has a dopamine deficit in certain circuits, tasks don't reward your brain as much, so you have to push yourself harder to do them. It's kind of like driving a car with low battery – you can do it, but it might sputter. This not only makes tasks feel harder mentally, it also can lead to a sort of constant seeking of stimulation to get that dopamine hit (hello, checking our phones or daydreaming), which itself can be tiring. Meanwhile, autistic brains often have different connectivity patterns – some areas might be hyper-connected, leading to intense focus or sensory awareness, while other regulatory circuits might be less connected, making switching tasks or filtering input harder. The result? A brain that's either revving high or working overtime to shift gears. These neurological differences mean that an AuDHD brain is often running rich (like an engine burning a lot of fuel) all day.Hormones: Cortisol and Adrenaline: I touched on this earlier – the stress hormones. Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone” that follows a circadian rhythm (should be high in morning, low at night) and spikes during stress. Chronic high cortisol from frequent stress can cause fatigue, brain fog, and even body aches. Adrenaline (epinephrine) is more immediate – it gives you that jolt in emergencies. If you're frequently anxious or overstimulated, your adrenaline might spike often, and afterwards you typically feel a crash – shaky, tired, maybe headachey. Some of us live in a pattern of mini adrenaline spikes throughout the day (panic about a task deadline, sensory shock from a siren, social anxiety spike when your phone rings…). Over time, this wears you down and can dysregulate your whole energy system. Your body might start overreacting or underreacting to stress due to burnout of the stress response system. This is why managing stress and actually engaging the relaxation response (like deep breathing to trigger the vagus nerve, which can lower heart rate and cortisol) is so key. Physically calming your body is not just woo-woo; it's helping your hormones rebalance so you can truly recharge.Muscle Tension and Physical Load: Ever notice how when you're mentally stressed, your body feels sore or tired? If you have anxiety or are masking, you might be unconsciously tensing muscles – clenching your jaw, hunching shoulders, or tapping your foot all day. Autistic folks might suppress stims which actually takes muscle control. ADHDers might be restraining their urge to move. All this can lead to physical exhaustion and even pain by day's end. Plus, conditions often co-occurring with AuDHD – like hypermobility, sleep disturbances, or digestive issues – can further sap physical energy.Sleep Quality: Many of us with ADHD or autism have sleep issues – trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or not feeling rested from sleep. Neurologically, if your brain has trouble shutting off (common with ADHD racing thoughts or autism's difficulty unwinding routines), you might not get enough deep sleep. Sleep is when the brain and body repair. It's like plugging in your phone overnight – if you only charge to 50% or keep getting unplugged, you start the day at a deficit. Over days and weeks, that compounded sleep debt can make any amount of daytime rest feel ineffective. It's like trying to fill a bucket that has a leak at the bottom.In short, there are concrete brain and body reasons for your persistent exhaustion. You're not just “bad at resting” or “lazy” or “weak.” Your system is genuinely handling more and recovering less than the average person's. Knowing this is validating – it's not in your imagination. And importantly, it points toward solutions: for example, approaches that reduce the constant load on your brain (like accommodations or assistive tools for executive function), or practices that actively help your nervous system relax (like mindfulness, therapy, or sensory decompression activities).What AuDHD Exhaustion Looks Like in Daily LifeIt might be helpful to recognize how this kind of multi-faceted exhaustion shows up, because sometimes we don't even have the words for what we're feeling. We just know we're done. Here are some common signs that your various “batteries” are drained:Brain Fog and Zoning Out: You've had a day full of interactions and tasks, and now you just can't think straight. You find yourself staring at the wall or scrolling mindlessly because your brain refuses to focus on anything else. That's mental exhaustion – your brain is literally trying to power down for a bit. Autistic folks might experience shutdowns: where you go non-verbal or withdraw because your brain says “nope, I cannot engage anymore.” ADHD folks might find their attention just ricochets around or flatlines.Physical Fatigue and Aches: Your body might feel as if you ran a marathon, even if you didn't move much. Maybe your legs feel heavy, or you have a tension headache from hours of concentrating or from sensory stress (like squinting in bright light or bracing against loud noises). Chronic muscle tension can manifest as back or neck pain. Some people get stress-related fatigue where you feel flu-like (aching, low energy) purely from the cortisol rollercoaster.Irritability or Emotional Volatility: When we're running on empty, small things become big things. You might have a shorter fuse – maybe you snap at your partner or get teary over a minor issue. For AuDHD individuals, emotional regulation can already be a challenge (ADHD is often associated with big swings of feelings or what's called “Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria,” and autistic people can feel emotions intensely too). Exhaustion strips away the buffers we normally have. So that irritability, sadness, or anxiety that creeps in after a long day might actually be a symptom of fatigue. Think of little kids – when they're overtired, they have meltdowns over nothing. We adults are the same, we just mask it better until we can't.Avoidance and Withdrawal: You might cancel plans with people you actually like, or avoid a phone call from your best friend, simply because the thought of any interaction is overwhelming. This is often labeled the “social hangover.” After too much stimulation or masking, you might need to be alone, sometimes for days, to feel normal again. You might also pull away from work or responsibilities – like ignoring emails, procrastinating important tasks – not because you don't care, but because you just can't right now. Your system is forcing a shutdown of non-critical activities to try to recover.Lack of Motivation or Pleasure: When all your energy is sapped, even things you normally enjoy can feel like chores. A hobby you love feels too demanding. Meeting a friend for a fun activity feels daunting. This can be tricky because it can start to look like depression. In fact, chronic exhaustion and burnout can lead to depression, and they share some symptoms. One distinguishing factor some people notice: if it's primarily AuDHD fatigue, when you do occasionally get a burst of energy or hyperfocus (say something really interests you or you had a very restful period), your mood and motivation bounce back. Whereas with clinical depression, even on good energy days you might not feel joy. It can co-occur though, so it's always good to be mindful of mental health – but often what we think might be “I'm depressed or lazy” is actually “I'm burnt out and my brain is desperately trying to conserve energy.”Failure to Rejuvenate: The hallmark sign – you tried to rest, and it “didn't work.” Like you slept in, but you still feel tired. Or you spent the evening doing nothing, but feel no more ready to face the next day. It might feel like you have a permanently low battery that never gets past 50%, no matter what you do. This is a big clue that something about the type of rest or the amount of rest isn't matching what you need (we'll address that soon). It can also be a sign of deeper burnout, where short-term fixes won't cut it and you might need a more significant change or longer recovery time.Frequent Illness or Pain Flare-ups: I'll mention this too – when you're chronically exhausted, your immune system can weaken. You might catch every cold that comes around, or if you have conditions like migraines or fibromyalgia (common in neurodivergent populations), they might flare when you're overtaxed. It's like your body is waving the white flag through symptoms.Does some of that feel familiar? It's not a fun list, I know. But recognizing these signs in yourself is important. It's the first step to acknowledging, “I'm not lazy, I'm not failing at self-care – there's something very real going on that I can address differently.”Now, the big question: What can we do about it? How do we recharge all these different batteries properly, so that rest actually means something and we can start to restore our energy (and maybe even prevent getting so drained in the first place)? Let's move into the practical part: strategies and tips to manage your energy as an AuDHD person.Tips and Strategies for True RechargingAlright, now that we've dissected the problem, let's talk solutions. The goal here is to help you rest smarter, not just more. We want to target the right kind of rest for the exhaustion you have, and also manage our lives in a way that prevents draining every battery to zero if possible. Here are some strategies and tips, a blend of personal experience, science-backed advice, and things that many neurodivergent folks find helpful:1. Identify What Kind of “Tired” You Are: When you feel wiped out, take a moment to do a self check-in: What exactly feels drained? Is it your brain (mental fatigue, too many thoughts)? Is it emotional (feeling numb or overly sensitive)? Sensory (craving quiet/darkness or feeling jumpy at sounds)? Physical (body is heavy, sleepy)? Social (sick of people, need solitude)? There's no one right answer – it could be “all of the above,” but try to sense which ones are strongest. This matters because the remedy depends on the cause. If your tiredness is mostly physical, then physical rest (sleep, a nap, or just gentle activity) will help most. If it's mostly sensory, then you might need low stimulation (noise-cancelling headphones, a dark room, minimal touch). If it's mental, you might need to give your brain a break from consuming info – maybe do something hands-on or take a walk in nature without your phone. Practice asking yourself “What kind of tired am I right now?” and “What would truly feel nourishing?” It might take time to figure it out, but even just pausing and naming it can prevent you from automatically doing the wrong kind of rest.2. Embrace Different Types of Rest: Building on the above, familiarize yourself with the idea that rest is not just sleep or sitting around. There are many types of rest – some experts break it down into categories like: physical, mental, sensory, social, emotional, creative, spiritual. This might sound abstract, but it's actually practical. For instance:If you've been around people all day (social drain), you likely need social rest – some time alone or with people who are “easy” to be around (like a close loved one who you don't have to put on a show for).If your senses are overloaded (sensory drain), you need sensory rest – a break from input. That could mean a quiet dim room, or closing your eyes for a bit, or a soothing sensory experience like a warm bath (which calms the system).If you've been solving problems and on the computer nonstop (mental drain), your brain needs mental rest – do something low-demand like doodling, listening to gentle music, or literally daydreaming. Let your executive brain go offline for a bit.If you've been masking and managing emotions (emotional drain), you might need emotional rest – which could look like journaling your true feelings, having a good cry, talking to someone you trust and letting out all the bottled-up stuff, or just engaging in something that makes you belly-laugh or feel comforted. It also might mean giving yourself permission to not care for a little while about others' expectations.If you have an under-stimulation fatigue (sometimes ADHDers get exhausted from boring routines), you might need creative or novelty rest – which ironically means doing something interesting that fills your tank (like a fun hobby, a new game, something that sparks joy). This is why “rest” isn't always just doing nothing; sometimes our brains are tired from monotony and need a safe kind of excitement or creativity to feel revitalized.And of course, physical rest is important if your body is tired – that means sleep, nap, or gentle movement that helps you relax (like stretching, yoga, slow walking – often called “active rest” because it helps circulation and muscle recovery without being strenuous).Mix and match these as needed. Often, we need a combo. Say you had an overstimulating workday – you might need sensory + social rest (e.g. go to a dim room alone) and mental rest (don't force yourself to tackle a big project in the evening). Or if you spent all day caregiving your kids (social + emotional + sensory drain, parents I see you!), you might need physical rest (put your feet up) plus emotional rest (vent to a friend or watch a comfort show that lets you feel something). Being intentional about the type of rest means your downtime is more likely to actually recharge the depleted battery, not just scratch some other itch.3. Schedule Targeted Recharge Time (and Protect It): We often plan our work or social events, but we don't plan our recovery, and then it either doesn't happen or gets eaten up by other things. If you know certain activities drain you, start building in counter-balances. For example:If you have a big social event on Saturday, block Sunday morning as “quiet time” for yourself in a way that addresses the expected drain. If the party will be loud and socially demanding, maybe Sunday morning is reserved for a nature walk alone (sensory calm + solitude).If weekdays drain your executive function (as they do for many of us), maybe declare one evening a week as “no-decisions evening” – prepare a simple routine meal or order takeout, and do a low-brain-power activity. Treat it like a meeting with yourself that you don't cancel.Use tools like alarms or calendar reminders to check in with yourself during the day. Sometimes we literally forget to rest. A short pause mid-day to ask “How am I feeling? Need water? Need a break from noise?” can prevent deeper depletion. I personally have a sticky note on my monitor that says “Pause: Breathe & Feel – what do you need?” because otherwise hours go by and I haven't even unclenched my shoulders.Learn to anticipate crashes: If you notice a pattern like “Every day around 3 PM I crash,” consider adding a 15-minute rest break at 2:30 – maybe a quick walk or a stretch, or listening to a calming song with eyes closed. It's like a pit stop for your brain so it can finish the day.And importantly, protect that rest time. It's tempting to give it up when someone asks a favor or an extra task pops up. But remember, without that recharge, you won't be at your best and you might pay for it double later. Treat rest as an important appointment with yourself – because it is!4. Reduce Masking and Energy Leaks Where Possible: We can't always drop the mask – the world isn't always accommodating, and in some situations you might feel it's necessary to appear “on.” But consider where you can safely be more yourself or make things easier:Communicate needs to close friends or family: Let them know that after a certain time or event, you might be quiet or need to leave early due to exhaustion. Educating the people around you that “I get overstimulated or drained and it's just how my brain works” can build understanding and reduce the need to put on a show. If your friends know you're going to be sitting in the corner petting the cat after an hour at the party, and they're cool with it, you don't have to force yourself to mingle beyond your capacity.Stim and relax, even in small ways: If you've been holding in all your fidgeting or sensory self-soothing at work, take bathroom breaks or “fresh air breaks” where you can wiggle, shake out, do some deep pressure (like a quick self-hug or wall push-ups) – basically let your body reset. These mini-releases throughout the day can prevent the massive end-of-day collapse.Delegate or use supports for executive tasks: Energy leaks happen when we spend way too long on something because our brain is struggling. If you can afford it or have the option, use tools to reduce effort: maybe that's using a grocery delivery service instead of roaming overwhelming aisles, or using a scheduling app to remember appointments instead of trying to hold it all in memory. Perhaps at work you can ask for an accommodation like written instructions or a quieter workspace or flexible hours. Finding areas where you're expending extra effort just to keep up, and finding a smarter workaround, can save precious energy for where you really need it.Learn where you can say “no”: This is tough, but are there social interactions or obligations you can limit? You don't have to attend every gathering or help every person who asks, especially if you know it will overextend you. It's perfectly okay to have a quota – like one social event per weekend, or keeping weeknights free – whatever works for you. Saying no to others is saying yes to yourself, to your rest.5. Calming the Overactive Nervous System: Since stress and sensory overload keep us in high alert, actively practicing techniques to switch into “rest mode” can be a game changer. Some approaches:Breathing exercises: Even something as simple as 3 deep slow breaths can signal your body to relax. One technique is the 4-7-8 breath (inhale for 4, hold 7, exhale 8) which can reduce anxiety. Or try diaphragmatic breathing (belly breaths). Doing this periodically, and especially before bed, can help lower that cortisol and adrenaline.Progressive muscle relaxation: Tense and release muscle groups one by one. This not only relieves physical tension but also helps you notice where you've been holding stress (like “wow, my jaw was super tight!”).Sensory comfort: Use tools that help you feel safe and calm. For some, that might be a weighted blanket or a soft hoodie. For others, it's noise-cancelling headphones or listening to white noise/rain sounds. Dimming the lights in the evening, using warm-colored bulbs instead of harsh white light, can cue your brain that it's wind-down time. Basically, create a little sensory safe space for yourself when you need to recharge.Mindfulness or meditation: I know, not everyone's into meditation, but even a few minutes of sitting and noticing your surroundings or your breath can pull you out of the racing thoughts and ground you. Mindfulness can also help with interoception – if you practice checking in with bodily sensations in a non-judgy way, you might start catching those “I'm thirsty” or “I'm anxious” cues earlier. There are apps and guided meditations specifically geared towards relaxation and body awareness, which some neurodivergent folks find useful (and if traditional meditation is hard, things like mindful walking or even a repetitive hobby can be meditative).Therapeutic supports: If anxiety or an overactive stress response is a major issue, consider professional support. Therapy (like cognitive behavioral therapy or somatic therapies) can help you develop coping strategies and address triggers. For some, certain medications or supplements that regulate sleep and anxiety (like melatonin for sleep, or as prescribed by a doctor, maybe an SSRI for anxiety) can also be part of the puzzle. There's no shame in using every tool available to help your nervous system find balance.6. Tune Into and Honor Your Body's Signals (Practice Interoception): This one is about building the skill of listening to your body. It might sound odd if interoception is an issue, but you can improve it with practice. Some ideas:Set external reminders to check internal states. For example, keep a water bottle at your desk as a visual cue to drink regularly, rather than waiting to feel thirsty. Have scheduled snack times so you don't go 10 hours without eating. Use a bedtime alarm to remind yourself to start a wind-down routine, since you might not notice you're tired until 2 AM when you're dead tired.Use tracking or journals: Sometimes writing down energy levels or what you did and how you felt can reveal patterns. Maybe you notice “Every time I have back-to-back meetings, I get a migraine in the evening.” That's a clue to insert breaks or coping strategies around meetings. Or “Whenever I skip lunch, I get really anxious by 4 PM” – aha, low blood sugar and stress might be combining. Tracking apps for mood/energy, or a simple diary, can improve your mind-body awareness.Body scan exercises: These are mindfulness exercises where you mentally scan from head to toe, noticing any sensations (tightness, hunger, discomfort, calm). Doing a short body scan once a day can train your brain to check in with places you normally ignore. You might catch “Oh, my heart is racing, maybe I'm more stressed than I realized,” or “My eyes ache, I might need to close them for a bit.”Don't wait for crisis to refuel: If you start recognizing the earlier signs of being low on a certain “battery,” try to address it then, not when you're already in meltdown or shutdown zone. This might mean proactively resting. For example, if you notice “I'm getting pretty peopled out at this gathering,” excuse yourself for a short break before you hit the wall. If you notice you're getting headachey and cranky at work, maybe step outside or to a quiet restroom for 5 minutes, rather than soldiering on until you can't function. We often override our early signals out of obligation or because we're used to pushing through. Give yourself permission to pause before you crash – it can make a world of difference in recovery time and intensity.7. Replenish the Basics: It sounds almost too basic, but when you're worn down, foundational health stuff becomes crucial: nutrition, hydration, movement, and sleep.Nutrition: A brain that's out of fuel will feel tired and foggy. Try to eat regularly and include protein and complex carbs in meals to keep your blood sugar stable (wild sugar swings can mimic anxiety and fatigue). If you're too tired to cook on bad days, no shame in keeping easy snacks or shakes around. The point is to give your body some real fuel. Also, deficiencies in things like iron, vitamin D, B12, etc., can cause fatigue – might be worth getting a check-up if you suspect it. Many ADHDers forget to eat; many autistics have limited diets – so a multivitamin or specific supplements might help if diet isn't covering bases (ask a doc or dietitian).Hydration: Even mild dehydration can cause tiredness and headaches. Keep water or something with electrolytes handy. If plain water is hard, try flavored or fizzy water. We often forget to drink when hyperfocused or out of routine.Movement: This is tricky because when you're exhausted, exercise sounds impossible. But gentle movement can actually create energy in the long run. It improves mood, reduces stress chemicals, and helps you sleep better later. The key is gentle and enjoyable: a slow stretch while watching a show, a short walk in fresh air, dancing to one song in your room – something that gets your blood flowing without feeling like a chore. It's like giving your body a little tune-up. Some days you might only manage to move from bed to couch and that's okay too; when you have the energy, try sprinkling small movement snacks into your week.Sleep hygiene: Since many of us have irregular sleep, paying attention to sleep hygiene is huge. That includes things like having a consistent-ish bedtime and wake time, making your bedroom as comfortable and low-stimulation as possible, avoiding screens right before bed if you can (blue light and information overload trick the brain into staying awake), or using tools like white noise, eye masks, or even melatonin if appropriate. Also, if racing thoughts keep you up, try keeping a notepad by the bed – jot down anything on your mind to “offload” it, or listen to a calming audiobook or podcast at low volume to focus your mind away from anxious thoughts (just not one that's too stimulating). The goal is to help your brain and body wind down enough to get quality rest. If insomnia or delayed sleep phase (night-owl syndrome) is severe, consider talking to a doctor – there are interventions that can help (like light therapy, prescription meds, etc.). Don't just accept terrible sleep as your fate – it's something worth troubleshooting, because better sleep will amplify all your other efforts to recharge.8. Be Compassionate and Adjust Expectations: This might be the most important tip: be kind to yourself. Recognize that your fatigue is not a moral failing. You're not lazy for being tired. AuDHD individuals truly do face more daily stress and effort – of course you're exhausted! Start reframing rest as productive and necessary, not a luxury. It's part of your health and effectiveness. Also, communicate and adjust expectations with those around you (and with yourself). Maybe you can't do “all the things” in one day that others can – that's okay. Quality of life improves when you stop comparing your energy output to neurotypical standards.It's fine if you need two hours of downtime for every three hours of social time, or if after work your only goal is making a simple dinner and then chilling – that might be what allows you to thrive long-term. If you plan a restful vacation and you spend the first two days just sleeping and doing nothing – perhaps you needed that. Trust that meeting your needs is the path to unlocking your best self. When you do start feeling more recharged, you'll actually be able to do the things you want to do, and enjoy them, which is the ultimate goal.Each small step – whether it's learning to identify your tiredness type, or setting a boundary, or finding a perfect snack that keeps you from crashing – is a win. Celebrate those. We often have a perfectionist streak or we've been made to feel we're not doing enough. But here you are, learning how to take care of your remarkable, unique brain and body. That's absolutely something to be proud of.Reflection QuestionsAs we come to the end of this episode, I want to leave you with some reflection questions. These are meant to help you apply what we've discussed to your own life. You might consider journaling your answers, or just ponder them quietly. There are no right or wrong answers – they're just prompts for self-discovery and practical planning.1. Which aspects of your life drain your energy the most lately? Try to name them: Is it social interactions? Sensory environments? Work-related executive function tasks? Emotional stress? Recognizing your biggest drains is the first step to addressing them.2. When you do feel recharged or have a good energy day, what helped? Think of a recent time you actually felt rested or upbeat – what had you done (or not done) leading up to that? Identifying even small things that rejuvenate you (like “I felt great after that hike” or “having a quiet morning to myself made a difference”) can give clues to the kinds of rest you need more of.3. What type of rest do you think you're not getting enough of? (Physical, mental, sensory, social, emotional, creative, spiritual, or any category that resonates with you.) How did you realize this – what signs or feelings point to that deficit? For example, “I might need more sensory rest because I've been feeling jumpy and irritable by evening,” or “I suspect I need mental rest because my mind feels overloaded and I'm forgetting things.”4. How well are you noticing your own needs in the moment? Do you catch yourself getting tired, hungry, overstimulated early, or only when you're at a breaking point? Reflect on one or two cues you might have missed recently (like “I missed that I was thirsty and got a headache”). What could you do to catch those sooner next time (maybe a reminder or a mindful pause)?5. What is one barrier that often stops you from resting or recharging properly? Is it guilt (“I feel like I should be productive”)? Is it external (too many responsibilities, lack of a quiet space)? Maybe it's not knowing how to rest effectively. Write down that barrier. Now brainstorm one or two ways you could lessen that barrier. For instance, if guilt is a barrier, how can you remind yourself that rest is necessary (perhaps repeat a mantra: “Rest is refueling, not wasting time”)? If time is a barrier, what can you delegate or drop or reschedule to carve out a bit of downtime?6. What are some small recharge rituals you could build into your day or week? Think of tiny actions that give you even a spark of energy or calm. It could be a 5-minute tea break with no phone, or doing a silly dance when nobody's watching, or stepping outside to feel the sun for a moment. Make a little list of “go-to quick rechargers” for yourself. These will be handy when you notice a specific battery running low.7. Envision your ideal restored self. Imagine that you have been taking really good care of all these different energy needs for a while. How do you think you would feel and act? Paint a mental picture: “I wake up feeling __, I go through my day feeling __, I have energy for __, I feel more __.” Describe the differences you'd notice in a well-rested, balanced version of you. This vision can be motivating – it's not a fantasy, it's something that can gradually become reality as you experiment with what works for you. What part of that vision could you start working towards now?Take your time with these questions – you might even revisit them periodically, because your needs can change over time or in different seasons of life. The purpose is to increase your self-awareness and to spark ideas for adjustments that can lead to better energy management.ConclusionWe've covered a lot in this episode, so let's briefly recap: The simple “social battery” idea doesn't quite cut it for AuDHD brains because our energy drains on multiple fronts – masking, sensory overwhelm, executive function effort, chronic stress, and missing our internal signals. Just “resting” in a generic sense often isn't enough; we need the right kind of rest for the right kind of tired. The physiology of our brains and bodies explains why this exhaustion is real and not laziness. And the good news is, there are strategies to help – from mixing up the types of rest you get, to planning recovery time, to advocating for your needs and learning to read your body's signals better.I hope you found some validation in this – you're not alone in feeling this exhaustion, and you're not failing when rest doesn't magically fix it. It's a complex issue, but you can make progress by understanding your unique energy profile. Even small tweaks – like using earplugs in a noisy place or taking a 10-minute brain break – can yield noticeable benefits. Remember, you deserve to feel restored and it is possible with patience and practice.Thank you for joining me today on Authentically ADHD. I'm proud of you for taking this time to learn about how to better care for yourself. If this episode resonated with you, feel free to share it with friends or anyone who might be running on empty and not know why. And if you have your own tips or experiences with the “social battery” and AuDHD life, I'd love to hear them – you can reach out on my socials or leave a comment.Paid subscribers get the downloadable “AuDHD Social Battery Decoder Kit” — a printable, fillable workbook that turns today's episode into actual tools you can use when you're fried.If you've ever rested and still felt exhausted, it's not because you're doing rest “wrong.” It's because your brain wasn't depleted by “socializing” alone — it was depleted by masking, sensory load, executive function taxes, stress activation, and not noticing your needs until your system was running on fumes.This kit helps you:identify what actually drained youmatch the right kind of rest to the system that's depletedbuild simple recovery ritualsuse copy/paste scripts when your brain goes blankplan your week like an AuDHD nervous system deservesIt's practical. It's kind. And it's designed for brains that hate homework.Until next time, be kind to yourself, pay attention to those batteries, and remember: rest isn't a reward, it's a necessity. Stay authentic and we will talk soon!This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Paid Bonus at end of this: Get full access to carmen_authenticallyadhd at carmenauthenticallyadhd.substack.com/subscribe

Dr. Lalitaa Suglani is an award-winning psychologist with a focus on ADHD. This conversation with Dr Lalitaa is sure to change your life and alter everything you know about ADHD. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:14 What is ADHD 03:12 The emotional toll of undiagnosed ADHD 07:26 Dr Lalitaa's mission 13:00 How to overcome Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria 17:25 How to reverse the affect of masking 19:32 The connection between ‘high functioning ADHD' and loneliness 23:37 How to stop feeling ‘broken' 25:46 Tiimo advert 27:28 The emotional cost of feeling misunderstood 29:44 The ADHD ‘love/hate' theory 32:13 How to overcome ADHD overwhelm 34:37 The link between ADHD and eye movement 37:39 How to spot ADHD in someone 38:34 How to get over the resentment after a late diagnosis 41:19 How therapy can help ADHD 43:31 The ADHD item reveal 45:31 Audience questions 49:16 A letter to my younger self 49:58 Focused survey results FInd Dr. Lalitaa on Instagram

Rejection hits some men harder than others. For a lot of guys, it's not just discomfort—it feels like danger. One cold look from your wife. One delayed text. One “Can we talk later?” from your boss. Suddenly you're spiraling, apologizing, chasing, overreacting, or completely shutting down.This isn't weakness. It isn't you being dramatic.It's rejection sensitivity—and most men who grew up in chaotic, unpredictable, or emotionally unstable homes are living with it without ever knowing what it's called.In this episode, I'll break down:— Why some men live relationships on “hard mode” — How your childhood wired your brain to scan for danger — Why neutral things feel like personal attacks — Why you over-apologize, over-explain, and overreact — How rejection sensitivity contributes to sexless marriages — Why anxious men attract avoidant or narcissistic partners — And, most importantly, what you can do to rewire thisIf you're neurodivergent (ADHD, autism, etc.), this is going to make even more sense. RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria) is something I see constantly in men in my audience and inside The Brotherhood.You're not broken. You're trained. And you can retrain yourself.If you want deeper work on this, my book REBUILD and our Brotherhood community are powerful tools to help you break out of this pattern and build confidence, boundaries, and emotional stability.► Get my book REBUILD on Amazon (hardcover, Kindle, or audiobook for members): https://a.co/d/e6KBqYE► Join The Brotherhood – private men's community, daily Zoom groups, 1,300+ hours of audio, coaching, and more: https://helpformen.com/join

Jessica Summers is a world leading ADHD expert specialising in Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria.  As a qualified psychotherapist she can help you understand why you overthink, struggle with shame and why you're triggered by that one small comment. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer  01:22 What is RSD (and why does it hurt) 04:18 Jessica's RSD mission  07:38 ‘RSD isn't real' 08:54 The tinniest comment  11:09 20,000 extra criticisms  13:20 RSD in women vs in men 14:08 RSD in romantic relationships  15:16 The RSD blockades  17:36 The costs of perfectionism  19:37 The importance of ‘Dysphoria'  20:32 Tiimo advert  21:54 How to manage RSD 24:57 RSD and aggression  27:18 How RSD affects masking  28:20 How to stop people pleasing  29:54 How to reframe RSD 30:40 Can RSD be useful 31:41 Closing RSD tips  32:16 Jessica's ADHD item 34:04 Audience questions  38:10 A letter to my younger self  Jessica Summers is a hypno-psychotherapist, nervous system regulation specialist, and creator of RSD Free—the only program that targets Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria at its neurological root. She discovered her breakthrough approach while retraining her own nervous system to recover from post-viral syndrome, which unexpectedly resolved her lifelong RSD. Jessica now helps neurodivergent adults rewire their brains for emotional resilience and calm. SPECIAL OFFER: Pre-order RSD Free for £240 (save £60 off the regular £300 price) Offer ends January 4th - course launches January 5th Course link:https://jessicasummershypnogenics.com/rsd-free-course Is it RSD? Answer this short quiz to find out: https://links.usegoldstar.com/widget/survey/m9rdp4WXejV2CmW9SamT Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription

Today we're talking about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria—often referred to as RSD—a deeply emotional experience that affects so many individuals with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence. My guest is Dr. Sharon Saline, a clinical psychologist who has spent over 30 years working with neurodivergent children, teens, adults, and families. In our conversation, Sharon breaks down what RSD is, how it shows up in daily life, and why understanding it can be such a game changer—for both kids and parents. We talk about the emotional and psychological impact of RSD, practical tools for managing it, and how to cultivate self-compassion and resilience in the face of painful rejection or criticism. Sharon also shares strategies for helping kids navigate social situations with more confidence and less overwhelm, and for supporting ourselves as parents along the way. About Dr. Sharon Saline Dr. Sharon Saline is the author of the award-winning book, What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life and The ADHD solution card deck. She specializes in working with ADHD and neurodivergent children, teens, adults and families–helping them improve cognitive and social executive functioning skills, resilience, self-confidence and personal relationships. She consults with schools, clinics and businesses internationally. Dr. Saline is an instructor at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, a part-time lecturer at the Smith College School for Social Work, blogger for PsychologyToday.com, contributing expert on MASS Live at WWLP TV, serves on the editorial board of and hosts a monthly live event for ADDitudemag.com. Things you'll learn from this episode  How rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) shows up as an intense emotional response to perceived rejection or criticism Why many people with ADHD also experience RSD and how it can affect social interactions and relationships How RSD can trigger deep shame and emotional pain, often overlapping with social anxiety Why self-compassion, resilience, and reframing negative thoughts are key coping strategies How parents can support their children by validating their feelings rather than minimizing them Why understanding RSD is empowering and helps individuals navigate relationships with greater self-awareness Resources mentioned Dr. Sharon Saline's website What Your ADHD Child Wishes You Knew: Working Together to Empower Kids for Success in School and Life by Dr. Sharon Saline The ADHD Solution Card Deck Dr. Sharon Saline on Instagram Dr. Sharon Saline on Facebook Dr. Sharon Saline on Threads Dr. Sharon Saline on LinkedIn Dr. Sharon Saline's YouTube channel Dr. Sharon Saline on Understanding and Working with ADHD in Girls (Full-Tilt Parenting) The ADHD Solution Card Deck: 50 Strategies to Help Kids Learn, Reduce Stress & Improve Family Connections (created by Dr. Sharon Saline) Sharon Saline on What Our ADHD Kids Wish We Knew (Full-Tilt Parenting) Dr. Megan Anna Neff on RSD (Neurodivergent Insights) Sharon Saline on RSD (Additude Today) Thomas Brown / Brown Clinic for Attention and Related Disorders Dr. William Dodson How ADHD Shapes Your Perceptions (PDF by William Dodson) Big Kids, Big Emotions: Helping Teens with ADHD and Rejection Sensitivity Improve Emotional Regulation (Webinar with Sharon Saline on Additude Magazine) Q: Are My Feelings Valid, Even If RSD Is Involved? (Sharon Saline on Additude Magazine) I Feel Judged & Attacked: A Teen's View of RSD (Sharon Saline on Additude Magazine) Dear Dr. Sharon: Is Rejection Sensitivity All In My Head? (Sharon Saline's website) Social Anxiety vs. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) with Sharon Saline, Psy.D. (Webinar) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Es gibt Sätze, die andere schnell abhaken – und die dich tagelang beschäftigen. Ein „Dafür habe ich gerade keine Zeit“, eine kurze Nachricht, ein nicht beantworteter Chat – und plötzlich fühlst du dich falsch, nicht wichtig, zu viel. In dieser Folge spreche ich darüber, warum sich ein „Nein“ oder eine kleine Kritik für dich wie ein Schlag anfühlen kann, wenn du hochsensibel, neurodivergent oder Scanner-Persönlichkeit bist. Wir schauen gemeinsam liebevoll darauf, was da in deinem System passiert – und wie du besser mit dir umgehen kannst, wenn Zurückweisung richtig weh tut. In dieser Folge erfährst du: was Zurückweisungssensitivität ist und wie sie sich im Alltag zeigt warum dein Nervensystem so stark auf Ablehnung, Kritik oder Schweigen reagiert welche Rolle alte Erfahrungen (Mobbing, Kindheit, Ausgrenzung) dabei spielen können wie du Fakten und „inneren Film“ besser unterscheiden kannst kleine Tools, um deinen Körper zu beruhigen, wenn alles in dir Alarm schreit wie du mit sicheren Menschen üben kannst, dich zu zeigen, ohne dich zu schämen Ich spreche auch kurz über RSD – Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, ein Konzept aus dem AD(H)S-Kontext, das genau diese extreme Schmerzreaktion auf reale oder gefühlte Zurückweisung beschreibt. Mir ist wichtig: Du brauchst kein Label, um deine Gefühle ernst zu nehmen. Ob du das RSD, Zurückweisungssensitivität oder einfach „Aua in meinem System“ nennst – dein Erleben ist echt und verdient Mitgefühl. Wenn du magst, nimm dir nach der Folge einen Moment und frag dich: In welcher Situation habe ich mich zuletzt stark zurückgewiesen gefühlt? Was war die Tatsache – und was war mein Film dazu? Was hätte mir in diesem Moment gutgetan? Teile deine Gedanken gern mit mir – per Mail oder auf Instagram – oder sei einfach still mitfühlend mit dir selbst, während du zuhörst.

Hannah Bookbinder has 25 years of experience as an ADHD and executive functioning coach. Bookbinder is the founder of AcademicAlly, an academic coaching and college preparation service that also provides support to individuals who are struggling with executive dysfunction. Chapters: 00:00 Hannah's mission 02:35 The emotional toll of undiagnosed ADHD 04:20 Why people think ADHD people are lazy 05:37 The ‘out of sight out of mind' effect 08:00 Feeling guilty for thinking differently 10:39 Do ADHD people suffer in silence 11:23 Tiimo advert 12:43 The ‘bullseye' hack 15:27 The link between ADHD and anxiety 16:01 How overwhelm shows up silently 17:42 How to hack dopamine 19:42 Hannah's ADHD item 22:18 Audience questions 25:29 A letter to my younger self Visit Hannah's website

Kat Brown is the author of 'It's Not A Bloody Trend: Understanding Life as an ADHD Adult' and editor of 'No One Talks About This Stuff'. Chapters: 00:31 Early memories of feeling different  04:34 Kat's masking journey  06:32 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria  18:45 Kat's ADHD mission  23:42 ADHD diagnosis realisations  31:43 Tiimo advert  35:21 ADHD masking  45:09 Why women have been let down  49:22 Consequence of life without identity  51:34 Our eternal pursuit of love  53:45 What would you say to the bullies  56:09 Kat's ADHD item  58:51 Audience questions (washing machine of woes) 01:03:58 A letter to my younger self  Visit Kat on Instagram

We had to come right back to this so we could talk more about its existence, but also ways to manage it. For yourself, for those around you, for your interpersonal relationships and happiness. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. So glad you're here, truly, C

Peter Wharmby is an international bestselling Author and AuDHD specialist. An award winning expert in the ADHD field, he's here to raise awareness for the struggles experienced by those with ADHD & Autism. Chapters: 00:00 Is AuDHD a blessing or a curse 26:06 Tiimo advert 28:57 How AuDHD makes you unlikeable 32:36 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria in AuDHD 42:08 Why AuDHD makes you feel broken 50:18 AuDHD in relationships 01:04:24 Does a diagnosis help? 01:07:51 Pete's AuDHD item 01:15:31 Audience questions 01:20:31 A letter to my younger self Find Pete on Instagram

Dr Shyamal Mashru is an award winning psychiatrist and ADHD expert having assessed and treated thousands of people with ADHD. Working in both the public and private sector, he has a deep understanding of ADHD and the consequences it can have on your mental health. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 01:28 The most common ADHD trait 05:34 Dr Shy's mission 11:12 ADHD and sleep 15:20 How ADHD affects self esteem 22:44 Tiimo advert 23:51 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 30:44 Why ADHD people feel shame 35:14 Top female ADHD challenges (how to overcome them) 36:47 Common co-morbid conditions 46:42 The link between ADHD and dementia 54:25 Dr Shy's ADHD item 57:54 Audience questions (the washing machine of woes) 01:01:13 A letter to my younger self The ADHD Health Clinic is an official CQC registered clinic. Our staff are all highly experienced Consultant Psychiatrists with years of medical leadership experience in the NHS and private sector.  They have also published books in this field. For Adults (over 18s)Book an online Combined Adult ADHD and Autism Assessment

Hello lovelies! Thanks for listening (and reading!)I knew something more was up with me hating to get feedback, never feeling comfortable with asking for help and for telling others about my endeavors so I'd keep trekking along solo and in a silo.In my quest to understand myself...I present RSD (short for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria). All 'jokes' aside - having RSD is no joke at all.What the eff is RSD?Here is the definition per the Cleveland Clinic:Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD): Symptoms & Treatment"Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) is when you experience severe emotional pain because of a failure or feeling rejected. This condition is linked to ADHD and experts suspect it happens due to differences in brain structure. Those differences mean your brain can't regulate rejection-related emotions and behaviors, making them much more intense."How did I learn about RSD?Tracy Otsuka, from her podcast and book both titled 'ADHD for the Smart A** Woman'. I heard Tracy talk about it before and I read her book and only recently did I put two and two together that "OMGosh, I totally have this!" and, "This makes so much sense why it's so excruciatingly hard for me put myself out there" and "I see why I've been the way I have been my whole life and why I do the things that I do for fear of rejection!". It's more so with those that have ADHD (which also makes so much sense since I've discovered that I an ADHD brain!).Do you also have RSD?If you noticed that you do, I hope this helps to explain why you have such a major fear of rejection like me.I hope to have Tracy herself talk about this on the podcast and/or another expert on this.This is the part of the onion that needs to get peeled.If you've enjoyed this episode, can you please leave a review on Spotify or on Apple podcasts. It would mean the world to me. :)Sincerely,Elizabeth

On today's show, I discuss Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, how trauma shapes our reactions to rejection, and what happens in the body when the nervous system mistakes discomfort for danger. We'll look at the science behind it, the patterns it creates in relationships, and the practical ways to start retraining the body toward safety and calm.Continue the discussion on Fetlife: @Enhanced-MindDon't forget to hit the follow button and rate my show 5 stars so others may find it. What to be on the show or have an idea for an upcoming episode? Email me at TheKinkPerspective@gmail.comFind me on Substack - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enhanced-Mind's Substack | Chris C. | Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you are looking for a therapist that is knowledgeable about the lifestyle, or just a therapist in general, please feel free to reach out through my website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://enhanced-mind.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠I have a book out, Tangled Desires: Exploring the Intersection of BDSM and Psychology. Can find it where you purchase most of your ebooks. Print version out now!#BDSM #Psychology #RSD #Trauma

If you have ADHD and your sex life feels challenging, you're not broken - your brain just works differently. Maybe you have super high libido and use sex or masturbation to feel at home in your body. Or maybe your libido is low because sex hasn't been working for your body or you're stuck in your head and you don't know why or how to fix it. Or maybe you're both, depending on the day.In this episode, we unpack why ADHD creates these extremes - from sex as self-medication to getting stuck in your head during sex to not knowing what your body actually needs. We also cover Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (why "not tonight" feels catastrophic) and emotional dysregulation (the intensity that confuses your partner).Whether you're the ADHD partner or the non-ADHD partner trying to understand, this episode will help you make sense of what's been happening. No shame, just clarity. First in a 4-part series on ADHD and desire gaps.Get my free guide: 5 Steps to Start Solving Desire Differences (Without Blame or Shame), A Practical Starting Point for Individuals and Couples, at https://laurajurgens.com/libido Find out more about me at https://laurajurgens.com/

The Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Episode Nobody likes rejection. But for some people teasing, being left out of a social event, even receiving constructive criticism can lead to extremely negative feelings. Put another way, the punishment doesn't fit the crime—the emotional reaction doesn't match the perceived slight made. This is called Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. In today's episode, we break down RSD: what is it? What other conditions is it often linked to? And how can you cope with RSD or help someone you know who has RSD? We cover all this and more in this episode.    Thank you for listening to The Happy Eating Podcast. Tune in weekly on Thursdays for new episodes! For even more Happy Eating, head to our website!  https://www.happyeatingpodcast.com Learn More About Our Hosts:  Carolyn Williams PhD, RD: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realfoodreallife_rd/ Website: https://www.carolynwilliamsrd.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealFoodRealLifeRD/ Brierley Horton, MS, RD Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brierleyhorton/ Got a question or comment for the pod? Please shoot us a message!  happyeatingpodcast@gmail.com Produced by Lester Nuby OE Productions

Why does rejection hit so hard for people with ADHD? In this episode, Rick Green joins us to unpack the emotional toll of rejection sensitivity. We'll explore how it shows up in daily life, why it's often misunderstood, and what can actually help. With humor, insight, and real-life examples, this conversation sheds light on a powerful but often hidden struggle.What to expect in this episode:What RSD is and how it affects people with ADHD in the momentWhy ADHD brains sense more rejection and how that shapes confidenceWhat it means to reclaim the brain during emotional overwhelmHow silence can become your most effective tool in conflictA simple question that can shift your mindset fast: What's the best that can happen? About Rick Green, CM, OOnt, BScRick is a celebrated Canadian comedian, writer, and ADHD advocate best known for his roles in The Red Green Show, The Frantics, and the cult favorite Prisoners of Gravity. After being diagnosed with ADHD, Rick co-created the award-winning documentary ADD & Loving It?!, which has helped millions better understand the condition. With a background in physics and a career spanning over 700 episodes of TV and radio, Rick blends science, humor, and heart in his ongoing mission to educate and empower the neurodivergent community. He is a recipient of the Order of Ontario and the Order of Canada for his contributions to culture and mental health. Connect with RickWebsite: Rick Has ADHDFacebook: Rick Has ADHDYouTube: Rick Has ADHD  Patreon: Rick GreenRelated Links:EP16: What Story Are You Telling Yourself? https://impactparents.com/what-story-are-you-telling-yourselfEP150: Recognizing and Managing Stress Triggers as Parents https://impactparents.com/managing-stress-as-a-parent Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/podcastgift Read the full blog here:https://impactparents.com/rick-green-on-rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-what-is-it-how-to-manage-it Connect with Impact Parents:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactparentsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImpactParentsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactparentsSponsors"Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out" – A New ADHD InterventionDo you recognize current ADHD interventions fall short? At DIG Coaching, we've developed a groundbreaking field of engineering called Cognitive Ergonomics from the Inside Out. Discover a fresh approach to ADHD care that looks beyond traditional methods.Learn more at www.cognitive-ergonomics.com

Dr Jacob Ambrose is an ADHD expert and clinical psychologist with a vast knowledge of ADHD.  With years of experience specialising in ADHD, Dr Jay understands the complex struggles of ADHD and he's here to help you understand yourself. 00:00 Trailer  02:27 How ADHD affects self esteem  04:40 Jacob's mission  08:19 The emotional consequences of overwhelm  12:17 The shame of ADHD 15:04 How women internalise shame  17:10 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria  25:08 Tiimo advert  26:43 Does an ADHD diagnosis help 28:48 How ADHD people attach to others  30:35 Unmasking in romantic relationships  32:38 RSD in relationships 36:14 Obsessing over someone (Limerence) 41:47 Differences between female and male ADHD 43:13 Signs of an anxious attachment style  49:09 Common ADHD stereotypes  51:22 Jacob's ADHD item 53:56 Audience questions  59:29 A letter to my younger self  Find Dr Jay on Instagram

In this episode, RSD coach Jessica Summers explores Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and its impact on people with ADHD. The conversation covers what RSD is, how it affects individuals differently and effective tools and strategies for managing emotional dysregulation. The episode also touches on the importance of setting boundaries and learning to prioritize self-care.  Highlights Jessica 's own experience with RSD and how she got into this work RSD definied and its significance to sufferers Methods of treatment, including hypnosis and neurolinguistic programming Creating a sense of safety to facilitate learning and personal growth Mentions ADHD Online Assessment: adhdonline.com/adultingwithadhd (use promo code ADULTINGADHD40 for $40 off) Jessica's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-summers-hypnogenics Jessica's website - https://jessicasummershypnogenics.com Book - Surviving Family Gatherings and Social Events

Brooke Schnittman is a world leading, award winning, ADHD coach and expert, having coached thousands of women with ADHD. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, paralysed by thought, confused or just broken, then Brooke will help explain why you're often misunderstood. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 02:28 Brooke's ADHD advice 03:17 Brooke's mission 05:15 The main ADHD struggles (and how to solve them) 06:52 Positives and negatives of a diagnosis 12:44 The differences between female ADHD and male ADHD 14:39 Specific challenges for ADHD women 16:41 The anger of a late diagnosis 19:48 Tiimo advert 20:59 Later life stumbling blocks for ADHD adults 21:51 How masking affects ADHD adults 25:09 3 environmental changes to help ADHD 30:07 How to manage Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 31:38 ADHD medication 33:30 ADHD and sleep tips 36:48 How to be successful with ADHD 37:32 Brooke's ADHD item 38:58 The ADHD agony aunt 40:54 3 rules to live by Find Brooke on Instagram

Send us a textWhat is RSD?How is this symptom linked to ADHD?What can you do if you struggle with RSD?For many people with ADHD, RSD can be the main issue that they struggle with. RSD can cause intense emotional pain and make relationships a challenge to be in. Sadly, RSD can also lead to other difiiculties such as depression and lonliness.In this epiosde I deep dive into RSD and explain what it is and why it happens. As ever, this podcast is all about hope and I provide helpful insights into how you can live with RSD and thrive. I'm an adolescent and adult chartered psychologist for the past two decades. This is a completely free and independant podcast, non-sponsored and ad-free to support you with your mental health. Please support this podcast by sharing and rating it. We all have issues, so let's talk about them.

Nelly Furtado is a world renowned musical superstar who needs no introduction. Nelly gives ADHD Chatter a detailed insight into her late ADHD diagnosis that she recieved at 43 years old, showing you a side of her you've never seen before. Chapters: 00:00 Trailer 02:32 Early memories of feeling different  08:23 The diagnosis story  12:51 Where ADHD has caused problems  15:16 How would your best friends describe you  20:19 Motherhood  21:03 Tiimo advert  22:15 Family reactions to diagnosis  23:27 How ADHD helps with song writing 26:16 Are you impulsive? 27:23 Imposter syndrome  35:01 Is ADHD a superpower  40:52 Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria  43:40 Words of wisdom  48:12 Advice for young Nelly 49:29 Nelly's ADHD item 51:56 A letter from the previous guest Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription

What if your overwhelm isn't from doing too much but from not getting what you actually need?Breaks down what nervous system dysregulation really is and why it goes undiagnosed in high-functioning womenHighlights overlooked signs of dysregulation like executive dysfunction, emotional reactivity, and rejection sensitivityDives deep into how internalized ableism keeps you stuck in burnout and self-blameUncovers five key areas of life (work, relationships, environment, mental health, goals) that silently sabotage your regulationWalks through practical, deeply validating ways to start identifying your needs and setting boundaries that actually stickLinks mentioned:

It's a summary episode! What have we been talking about lately? Facades of Conformity as they overlap with CPTSD, RSD, and life-destruction. summary Let's talk about environmental mental illness, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and the Facades of Conformity (FOCs) that individuals often adopt in various "supervisory" relationships. The discussion delves into the emotional toll of FOCs, emphasizing the detrimental effects of emotional exhaustion.takeawaysFacades of Conformity are often used in abusive relationships to prevent loss. Hiding one's true self diminish the resource of emotional health.Self-enhancement motives (incl RSD and survival) drive the need for conformity.Emotional exhaustion can deteriorate life quality.Authenticity is crucial for mental well-being.Impression management can be life-costing.Political and social pressures exacerbate conformity issues.Working on rejection dysphoria is essential for healing FOC patterns.keywords mental health, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, facades of conformity, emotional exhaustion, CPTSD, authenticity, relationships, environmental mental illness, self-esteem, trauma

Shanna Pearson has over 26 years of experience providing one-on-one action-based coaching for easily distracted adults seeking personal, professional, and financial success. She has designed and led focus and goal-achievement programs for executives and directors at Fortune 500 companies and world-class institutions, including Google, X, Tesla, PayPal, Pfizer, Intel, Ford Motor Company, Yale School of Medicine, Disney, Meta, Johnson & Johnson, Apple, and SpaceX—and has helped tens of thousands of adults transform their lives through her results-driven, brain-based approach. Chapters: 01:57 Shanna's mission 09:04 How to define ADHD 11:42 Nature vs Nurture 15:53 How to connect with your inner child 18:35 What is ‘normal'? 20:28 How to embrace your differences 21:49 The hack that's helping thousands of ADHD adults 28:41 Tiimo advert 29:42 How to turn ADHD into a superpower 36:38 Why ADHD women were missed 41:45 Why some ADHD women feel unlovable 48:07 How to manage Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria 53:00 Why ADHD women get misdiagnosed with anxiety 59:06 Shanna's ADHD item 01:02:17 The ADHD agony aunt 01:04:32 A letter from the previous guest Visit Shanna's website

Send Jay comments via textFeeling completely lost or mentally overwhelmed after your kids leave home? You're not alone—what many perceive as empty nest syndrome might actually be undiagnosed ADHD or executive function challenges magnified by life transitions.In this enlightening episode, executive function expert Corie Wightlin sheds light on how the departure of children can unmask underlying brain struggles with organization, motivation, emotional regulation, and time management. When children take with them the routines and external scaffolding that masked these challenges, many adults find themselves scrambling—unable to complete simple tasks or find motivation.Whether you're questioning if you have undiagnosed ADHD or simply struggling to find your footing, this episode offers validation, insight, and actionable tools to help you thrive past the empty nest.Highlights & Key Takeaways:Executive function skills include organization, motivation, emotional regulation, and time management.Parenting provides external scaffolding that masks underlying challenges, which surface when children leave.Four brain motivators: urgency, challenge, novelty, and interest.Recognize your zones of regulation to maintain emotional balance.Self-compassion is crucial for breaking the shame cycle and nurturing resilience.Corie Wightlin BioHolding a B.A. in Cognitive Science from Occidental College and a Master's in Education and Literacy from the University of San Diego, Corie combines neuroscience, learning, and behavior expertise with a deep understanding of the lived ADHD experience. As a certified mindfulness facilitator and certified ADHD coach, Corie integrates mindfulness-based strategies to support resilience, self-compassion, and executive function growth.Corie presents on topics including ADHD and executive function, self-compassion, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, and goal setting specific for ADHDers. Through a strengths-based and compassionate approach, Corie empowers individuals to navigate challenges, embrace their unique brains, and build systems for success.Find Corie Online: LinkedIn, Instagram, Website Support the showFREE WORKBOOK3 Steps to Loving Your Empty Nest Life ENJOY THE SHOW?Don't miss an episode, subscribe via Apple Podcasts or follow on Spotify and many more. LOVE THE SHOW?Get your THIS EMPTY NEST LIFE swagReview us on Love the Podcast, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify -- reviews and ratings help others find us and we'd appreciate your support greatly.CONNECT WITH JAYEmail, LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok

An episode that deeply values justice and honesty!In Episode 149 of The Autistic Culture Podcast, Dr. Angela Kingdon explores Pillar 9 of Autistic Culture: Justice Seeking, with special guest Clare Kumar, productivity expert and host of the Happy Space Podcast, to explore Justice Seeking — the 9th pillar of autistic culture.Claire is a late-diagnosed autistic woman, executive coach, and productivity speaker. She brings unique insight into neurodivergent efficiency, workplace design, and inclusive spaces through her work with Hidden Disabilities Canada and her signature Joy Inventory tool.If you've ever been accused of being “too intense,” “too rigid,” or “black-and-white,” this episode is for you. Angela and Claire flip the script and reclaim those traits as moral clarity, fairness-driven thinking, and authentic advocacy — powerful parts of autistic identity.Here's what defines this core Autistic trait:* We call out what others ignore.Autistic people are often the first to question broken systems, double standards, and flawed logic. We don't pretend it makes sense—we say it doesn't.* We sense injustice instantly.Misaligned actions, hypocrisy, and favouritism aren't just annoying—they feel unbearable. Fairness isn't optional. It's foundational.* We speak up—no matter the cost.Whether it's calling out ableism, bias, or misinformation, autistic advocates often challenge power structures—even when it's uncomfortable.* We hold systems to their own rules.We expect policies to be applied with consistency and equity. Selective enforcement? We notice—and we question it.* We feel justice in our bodies.What's labelled as “Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria” is often justice sensitivity—a real-time emotional response to being dismissed for telling the truth.* We don't fake neutrality.When something's wrong, we can't mask it. We're not “too intense”—we're deeply aligned with our values.* We crave clarity, not conflict.Accountability helps us feel safe. We don't want to blame—we want to understand what went wrong and how to fix it.* We value truth over comfort.Authenticity matters more than approval. Many of us would rather lose a friendship than betray our principles.Key Concepts* ✨ Moral clarity: We often see the ethical core of a situation before others do—and struggle to stay silent about it.*

Sharon Saline, Psy.D., helps parents understand rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). Learn why this reaction to real or perceived rejection or criticism is common with ADHD, how it can intensify emotional storms, and how to de-escalate a teen's outburst. RSD in ADHD Teens: Additional Resources Free Download: Evaluate Your Teen's Emotional Control Read: How ADHD Ignites RSD: Meaning & Medication Solutions Read: Have a Teen with ADHD? Encourage Communication & Avoid the Drama Read: The Key to ADHD Emotional Regulation? Cultivating Gratitude, Pride & Compassion eBook: The Parents' Guide to Raising a Teen with ADHD, Part One Access the video and slides for podcast episode #563 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/rsd-in-adhd-teens-emotional-regulation/ This episode is sponsored by the podcast Sorry, I Missed This. Search for “Sorry I Missed This” in your podcast app or find links to listen at https://lnk.to/sorryimissedthisPS. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

There aren't many practitioners writing about today's topic. Unless, that is, you look up the collected works of Dr. Bill Dodson. Dr. Dodson is an award-winning board-certified psychiatrist and specialist in adult ADHD and his contributions to the study of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria bring him to the show today. According to Dr. Dodson, nearly all those living with ADHD live with some level of rejection sensitivity, and thanks to the poor training on the ADHD connections to the condition, patients are going misdiagnosed and mistreated as a result.Today on the show, Dr. Dodson joins Nikki Kinzer and Pete Wright to discuss Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and provide new language to frame a state those living with ADHD know all too well.About Dr. William DodsonDr. Bill Dodson is a award-winning board-certified psychiatrist and specialist in adult ADHD. While Dr. Dodson has been on the faculties of Georgetown University and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center he is primarily a clinical practitioner who tries to combine evidence-based practice techniques with practice-based evidence.  In addition to being named a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and recipient of the national Maxwell J. Schleifer Award for Distinguished Service to Persons with Disabilities, Dr. Dodson is one of two experts from the US to the World Anti-Doping program for the development of guidelines for the use of ADHD stimulant medications in the world's athletes.Links & NotesDr. William Dodson at Additudemag.com (00:00) - Welcome to The ADHD Podcast (02:24) - Become a Member of The ADHD Community (04:28) - Introducing Dr. William Dodson (05:53) - What is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria? (10:59) - Defining Characteristics of RSD? (13:37) - Mental health trends (17:23) - RSD and Imposter Syndrome (20:15) - RSD and Gender (25:45) - Treatment paths for RSD (34:14) - RSD and ADHD Coaching (43:44) - Finding Dr. Dodson ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

ADHD in women is often misunderstood, even by ourselves — and hormones are a big part of the story. This week, host Cate Osborn chats with psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Lotta Borg Skoglund about how hormone cycles affect ADHD in women. From PMS to perimenopause, we explore how shifting hormones can change how ADHD shows up — and how that impacts mood, focus, and relationships.Dr. Borg Skoglund shares what the research says, what often gets overlooked in diagnosis and treatment, and how understanding the patterns in your cycle can make everyday life a little easier.Related resourcesADHD Girls to Women by Dr. Lotta Borg SkoglundLotta's research group, GODDESS ADHDA guide to hormones and ADHDFrom the Climbing the Walls podcast: Are hormones the final frontier for women with ADHD?Timestamps(01:42) The changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle, and how they can affect ADHD symptoms(04:57) ADHD symptoms across hormonal life milestones like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause(10:21) The formation of Lotta's research group GODDESS ADHD(14:25) The importance of this overdue research, and the constant dismissal of women's hormonal challenges(17:12) Mapping your cycle to help understand your ADHD symptom fluctuations(21:10) How do we track these things if our cycles are non-traditional?(24:06) How do hormones connect to Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?For a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Diane Miller, Psy.D., M.Ed., explores the compounded impact of rejection sensitivity and double-masking (the survival strategy of suppressing both ADHD symptoms and aspects of cultural identity to avoid judgment or rejection) for Black women with ADHD. RSD and ADHD in Black Women: Additional Resources Free Download: Understanding Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria Read: New Insights Into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria  Read: How ADHD Ignites RSD: Meaning & Medication Solutions  Read: Rejection Sensitivity Is Worse for Girls and Women with ADHD Read: “I Could Have Been Myself for So Much Longer.” Read: Why ADHD Is Different for People of Color Access the video and slides for podcast episode #559 here: https://www.additudemag.com/webinar/unmasking-adhd-rejection-sensitivity-black-women/ This episode is sponsored by the podcast Sorry, I Missed This. Search for “Sorry I Missed This” in your podcast app or find links to listen at https://lnk.to/sorryimissedthisPS. Thank you for listening to ADDitude's ADHD Experts podcast. Please consider subscribing to the magazine (additu.de/subscribe) to support our mission of providing ADHD education and support.

ADHD in women is often misunderstood, even by ourselves — and hormones are a big part of the story. This week, host Cate Osborn chats with psychiatrist and researcher Dr. Lotta Borg Skoglund about how hormone cycles affect ADHD in women. From PMS to perimenopause, we explore how shifting hormones can change how ADHD shows up — and how that impacts mood, focus, and relationships.Dr. Borg Skoglund shares what the research says, what often gets overlooked in diagnosis and treatment, and how understanding the patterns in your cycle can make everyday life a little easier.Related resourcesADHD Girls to Women by Dr. Lotta Borg SkoglundLotta's research group, GODDESS ADHDA guide to hormones and ADHDFrom the Climbing the Walls podcast: Are hormones the final frontier for women with ADHD?Timestamps(01:42) The changes in hormones during the menstrual cycle, and how they can affect ADHD symptoms(04:57) ADHD symptoms across hormonal life milestones like puberty, pregnancy, and menopause(10:21) The formation of Lotta's research group GODDESS ADHD(14:25) The importance of this overdue research, and the constant dismissal of women's hormonal challenges(17:12) Mapping your cycle to help understand your ADHD symptom fluctuations(21:10) How do we track these things if our cycles are non-traditional?(24:06) How do hormones connect to Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria?For a transcript and more resources, visit the Sorry, I Missed This show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org. Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give

Do you get a sinking feeling in your stomach when you try to market or sell your products or services? Does rejection feel like an overwhelming, almost out of body experience? If so, this episode is for you!!What RSD is and how it uniquely affects those with ADHDThe emotional and physical toll RSD can take when left unaddressedHow RSD shows up in your business consultations, referrals, social media, and morePersonal stories of setbacks, trolls, and learning to regulateWhy support (not just therapy) is key to growing a thriving ADHD-friendly businessThe truth about confidence, regulation, and success as an ADHD entrepreneurBook a free coaching consult with Jamie: https://calendly.com/outsmartadhd/adhd-coaching-consult

What if ED behaviors in autistic people were not problems to be fixed, but rather, powerful adaptations to feel safe? More specifically, what if eating disorders themselves are a form of autistic masking? In this episode, Livia Sara explains how eating disorders can manifest through three distinct types of masks, why neurodiversity-affirming approaches form the foundation of freedom, and how to discover your true self – without the masks of fear and limitation. Highlights of today's episode: How autistic masking can be seen as a survival strategy in a neurotypical world How the eating disorder forms three interwoven masks: external, identity, and compensatory Introduction to The Adaptive Eating Spectrum (TAES) and how different eating patterns serve as both escape and mask Why the body itself can feel like a mask for the infinite autistic being The connection between masking, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, and eating disorder behaviors The powerful of transforming eating disorder “recovery” into your unique discovery journey How to embrace neurodivergence and create safety while unmasking

Hey Team! Today I'm talking with Jessica Summers, a seasoned hypno-psychotherapist and the mind behind Hypnogenics. Jessica brings a unique blend of hypnotherapy and intuitive coaching, specifically tailored for individuals grappling with ADHD, autism, and high sensitivity. With her dual expertise in hypno-psychotherapy and energy coaching, Jessica has become a beacon for those seeking alternative therapeutic approaches. Now, I know the idea of hypnotherapy is not for everyone, and while traditional use of hypnotherapy is not specifically targeted for ADHD, it has been used to manage symptoms associated with ADHD, such as anxiety and stress management. So there's less direct research on hypnotherapy solely for ADHD symptom management, but it may help improve focus, reduce impulsivity, and enhance executive function through relaxation and stress reduction techniques - all stuff we'll get into during the conversation. I just wanted to make sure I was up front about everything and didn't want anyone to feel like I was being misleading with where there science currently stands. But really, the episode has a lot of focus on rejection-sensitive dysphoria (RSD), and while I know there are a lot of people who really resonate with this topic, it is again something that does not have a ton of research behind it yet. In the conversation, we explore this through the lens of the limbic system and how managing this brain region can profoundly impact ADHD symptoms and how we can work on helping deal with those RSD symptoms as well. I got a lot out of this conversation and felt Jessica's perspective was enlightening, offering actionable advice and novel therapeutic options that could lead to a bit more balance to your ADHD treatment. Start Feedom today! Use code ADHD40 to get them 40% off a Freedom Yearly premium subscription! If you'd life to follow along on the show notes page you can find that at HackingYourADHD.com/220 YouTube Channel My Patreon This Episode's Top Tips Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is an intense emotional reaction to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure, often experienced as sudden and overwhelming shame, panic, or sadness. It's not just discomfort with rejection—it's a limbic-driven response that can feel physically painful and can lead to avoidance, emotional outbursts, or withdrawal. We can think of the limbic system as the emotional and threat-processing part of the brain — it's responsible for detecting danger and activating the fight, flight, or freeze response. But for people with ADHD (and especially those experiencing RSD), that system often gets stuck on high alert. When thinking about working on retraining your limbic system understand that it isn't a quick fix and that it can take dedicated, intense work that isn't always ADHD friendly. Focus on working using gentle, daily practices to create safety in your body, working on understanding your nervous system, and offering yourself neutral truths instead of judgment (such as “New things can feel uncomfortable sometimes”). The goal isn't to override the response with willpower — it's to help your brain feel safe enough to listen.

In this episode of The Autism ADHD Podcast, I'm excited to welcome Catherine Mutti-Driscoll, Director of Executive Function Coaching at Hallowell Todaro ADHD & Behavioral Health Center, back to discuss Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). We dive into how RSD significantly impacts neurodivergent children and teens and strategies to help them manage these intense emotional experiences. We cover so much goodness in this episode including: Causes and signs of RSD. Impact on mental health, Masking, Social avoidance, Our personal stories, and Effective support strategies Please listen to and share this important episode! Sincerely, Holly Blanc Moses - The Mom/Neurodivergent Therapist CLICK HERE for Holly's ONE STOP RESOURCE - FREE GUIDES and MORE! Learn more about Holly's private practice in North Carolina Learn more about Holly's continuing education trainings for mental health therapists ⭐️Join the Facebook Groups ➡️ Parents, Come on over and join the Autism ADHD Facebook Group for Parents ➡️ Professionals, Join the Facebook Group for Therapists and Educators Learn more about Catherine Mutti-Driscoll Mentioned in this episode- Amy Webb Dr. Devon Price Dr. Edward Hallowell Dr. William Dodson

Discover the way ahead at Indiana Wesleyan University. Learn more here. Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is symptom associated with mental health disorders including ADHD, autism and depression. When someone experiences RSD, they can have extreme reactions to experiences of rejection not just emotionally but also physically. In today's episode, Quinn teaches listeners: 1. What RSD is and how it affects the brain 2. How to take a self-assessment to see if they meet criteria for it 3. Easy ways to begin not allowing RSD to drain them Mind Renewal Tip: Rejection is not a hate of you as a person but a clash of needs between two people. Scripture Renewal Tip: For the Lord will not reject his people. He will never forsake his inheritance. Psalm 34:17 Resources: https://laconciergepsychologist.com/blog/rejection-sensitive-dysphoria-adhd/ Find out more from Hope For The Heart Here.