Have you ever received a small piece of criticism and felt it hit much harder than you expected? For people with ADHD, rejection can bring an intense emotional response that goes far beyond the moment. Explore rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), why these reactions can feel so powerful, and practical ways to create more space between what you feel and how you respond.

As a psychotherapist with ADHD who is also navigating perimenopause, I think we need to be talking about this. Emerging research is beginning to reveal an important connection between ADHD and hormonal changes in midlife, including why symptoms may feel harder to manage and why some women first recognize their ADHD during this stage of life.

Emotional resilience isn't about teaching children not to fall apart. It's about helping them learn that hard feelings are safe to experience, that they can move through disappointment and frustration, and that they don't have to do it alone.