Mid-year reviews and performance conversations often happen in spring. Adults with ADHD are increasingly naming how rejection sensitive dysphoria impacts career confidence and workplace anxiety. This week's blog offers insight and support for approaching feedback in a way that feels more manageable—and less personal.

Today we’re talking about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), a deeply emotional experience that affects 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.

Rejection sensitivity can feel overwhelming, especially for people with ADHD who experience emotions more intensely than others. When even small slights feel like major setbacks, it can be tough to know how to cope—or how to support a loved one who struggles. In this Dear Dr. Sharon column, we’ll explore why rejection sensitivity isn’t “all in your head,” how it connects to ADHD, and practical strategies you can use to ease its impact.