Show Notes
Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, often shortened to RSD, describes the intense emotional distress some people experience in response to criticism, rejection, disappointment or the feeling that they have let someone down. In this episode, we explore why a small comment, change in tone or unanswered message can sometimes feel so painful, particularly for people with ADHD and other neurodivergent profiles. We discuss how RSD can affect relationships, work, parenting and self-esteem, and why it is often misunderstood as being overly sensitive or dramatic. We also look at the difference between emotional pain and emotional regulation, the role of past experiences, and practical ways to respond with greater understanding, self-compassion and support. RSD is not a formal diagnosis, but the experiences described by the term can be very real.
More from Inside the Mind, Beyond the Desk
What happens when you spend years trying to understand why everyday life feels harder or different for you? In this episode, Karen and Áine explore the psychological impact of undiagnosed neurodivergence and what it can mean to receive a diagnosis in adulthood. They discuss how years of misunderstanding your own needs can shape confidence, relationships and mental health, alongside the relief, grief and questions that recognition can bring. A conversation about making sense of your experiences, reconsidering old beliefs about yourself and finding greater self-compassion.
Why are some tasks easy to start while others feel almost impossible? In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we explore the neuroscience of productivity and what is actually happening in the brain when we plan, start, focus and follow through. We look at motivation, attention, executive functioning, reward and energy, and why productivity is about much more than willpower or better time management. We also explore practical ways to work with your brain, rather than constantly trying to force it to work differently.
What happens when hormone health, brain health and everyday life collide?
Dyspraxia is often talked about in terms of coordination, but its impact can reach far beyond movement. In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we explore dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), and what it can look like in everyday life. We discuss coordination, organisation, planning, fatigue, confidence and the extra effort that can go into tasks other people may barely think about, while also considering the strengths and experiences that are often missed when we focus only on difficulties.
Why do some days leave us completely drained, even when we haven’t done that much? In this episode of Inside the Mind: Beyond the Desk, we explore energy management and why managing your capacity can be just as important as managing your time. We talk about recognising what drains and restores us, planning around our energy rather than constantly pushing through, and finding more realistic ways to navigate work, family life and everything in between.