What Is Rejection Sensitivity?

Rejection sensitivity is an intense emotional reaction to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or disapproval. It’s not just being “sensitive” — it’s a real, body-based reaction that can disrupt relationships, self-worth, and daily life.

Some people experience it as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) — especially those with ADHD or other neurodivergent identities.

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Signs of Rejection Sensitivity

• Intense fear of letting others down
• Reading between the lines or assuming the worst
• Feeling devastated by small critiques
• Avoiding new relationships or opportunities due to fear of rejection
• Emotional outbursts, shame spirals, or shutdowns after feedback
• Constantly replaying interactions to see “what you did wrong”

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Common Causes & Overlaps

Rejection sensitivity isn’t a standalone diagnosis — but it’s common in:

• ADHD (particularly as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria)
• Autism (heightened social anxiety and masking fatigue)
• Trauma survivors
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Highly sensitive people (HSP) or empaths
• People-pleasers or perfectionists who learned to earn safety through approval

The emotional pain is real — and the reaction isn’t irrational. It’s the result of a nervous system wired for threat detection.

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How We Support You

We help you build inner safety and self-trust through:

• Clarifying co-occurring conditions (ADHD, trauma, anxiety, etc.)
• Medication options for emotional regulation and mood stabilization
• Therapy that addresses shame, boundaries, and rejection resilience
• Skills for tolerating distress without collapse
• Understanding how neurodivergence and attachment history impact your sensitivity

You don’t have to stop caring what others think — but you can stop collapsing under it.

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FAQs – Rejection Sensitivity

• Is this the same as RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria)?
  RSD is a term often used within ADHD communities to describe extreme emotional pain tied to rejection. It’s not officially in the DSM, but it’s very real.
• Is rejection sensitivity curable?
  It’s a pattern — not a disease. With support, you can build tools to soften its grip and respond rather than react.
• Does this mean I have BPD?
  Not necessarily. Rejection sensitivity can appear in many people. A full evaluation helps clarify whether it’s part of a larger pattern.
• Can medication help?
  Sometimes. Especially if mood instability or emotional intensity is severe, we may consider SSRIs, mood stabilizers, or ADHD medication.

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✅ You Are Not Too Much

📞 Call Us: (478) 745-9206
📍 3100 Ridge Ave, Macon, GA
🗓 Appointments within 1–2 weeks

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