Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria – Now What?  – 2021

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is an unofficial term that describes one of the more disruptive and painful experiences of ADHD. RSD is a very specific vulnerability in which people with ADHD are much more sensitive to the perception that others may have withdrawn their love, approval, or respect or that the person has done it to themselves because they think that they have failed or fallen short. People try to avoid these painful, unbearable episodes in many ways such as perfectionism, people pleasing, or  never taking chances with other people. It is one of the most impairing features of ADHD, only recently identified and treated. This presentation will discuss the origins of  RSD, how it disrupts many aspects of adult functioning and relationships, and how it can be managed.

About Dr. Bill Dodson

Since his retirement from active patient care Dr. Bill Dodson has been a speaker, consultant, and writer on adult ADHD medicine. He has written more than 100 articles and 12 webinars for ADDitude and ADDA and is on ADDitude’s Board of Scientific Advisers. Dr. Dodson is a Board-Certified adult Psychiatrist who was one of the first practitioners to specialize in adults with ADHD 25 years ago. He was the recipient of the national Maxwell J. Schleifer Award for Distinguished Service to Persons with Disabilities in 2006. He was named a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association in 2012 in recognition of his contributions to the field of adult ADHD. Dr. Dodson has a private consulting practice in Denver. Visit Dr. Dodson at dodsonadhdcenter.com.