The Psychiatrist Who Discovered RSD Explains How To Stop It - Dr. William (Bill) Dodson

Dr. William (Bill) Dodson, M.D., LF-APA, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and has spent his career helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes from ADHD treatment. Dr. Dodson has been instrumental in advancing the field’s understanding of the emotional component of ADHD, most notably through his recognition of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (“RSD”) as a core feature. His work with patients with highly complex psychiatric needs has earned him international acclaim. He has written more than 120 articles and produced 17 webinars for ADDitude and the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. He serves on ADDitude’s Medical Advisory Panel. Chapters: 00:54 What is RSD and how people experience it 07:11 Why did you coin the phrase ‘RSD’ 12:55 Is RSD a lonely experience 19:05 Is RSD your inner child throwing a tantrum 22:26 The link between emotional dysregulation and RSD 28:22 The darkest side of RSD 34:59 Dealing with regrets after an ADHD diagnosis 37:01 Tiimo advert 42:59 RSD is women VS men 45:16 How long an RSD trigger lasts 47:18 Can RSD be comparable to PTSD 49:16 RSD in romantic relationships 01:04:50 Can RSD cause agoraphobia or OCD 01:07:25 Tools to stop RSD 01:11:40 Other names for RSD 01:14:01 Audience questions Visit Dr William’s website 👉 https://www.dodsonadhdtreatment.com Pre-order Alex’s book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (Dr. William Dodson wrote the foreword)👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817 Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter Producer: Timon Woodward Recorded by: Hamlin Studios Trailer editor: Ryan Faber DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Alex PartridgehostDr. William Dodsonguest

Feb 3, 20261h 21mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: February 3, 2026
Duration: 1h 21m
Channel: ADHD Chatter Podcast
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

Dr. William (Bill) Dodson, M.D., LF-APA, is a board-certified adult psychiatrist and has spent his career helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes from ADHD treatment. Dr. Dodson has been instrumental in advancing the field’s understanding of the emotional component of ADHD, most notably through his recognition of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (“RSD”) as a core feature. His work with patients with highly complex psychiatric needs has earned him international acclaim. He has written more than 120 articles and produced 17 webinars for ADDitude and the Attention Deficit Disorder Association. He serves on ADDitude’s Medical Advisory Panel. Chapters: 00:54 What is RSD and how people experience it 07:11 Why did you coin the phrase ‘RSD’ 12:55 Is RSD a lonely experience 19:05 Is RSD your inner child throwing a tantrum 22:26 The link between emotional dysregulation and RSD 28:22 The darkest side of RSD 34:59 Dealing with regrets after an ADHD diagnosis 37:01 Tiimo advert 42:59 RSD is women VS men 45:16 How long an RSD trigger lasts 47:18 Can RSD be comparable to PTSD 49:16 RSD in romantic relationships 01:04:50 Can RSD cause agoraphobia or OCD 01:07:25 Tools to stop RSD 01:11:40 Other names for RSD 01:14:01 Audience questions Visit Dr William’s website 👉 https://www.dodsonadhdtreatment.com Pre-order Alex’s book about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (Dr. William Dodson wrote the foreword)👉 https://linktr.ee/adhdchatter?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=9ffd8709-06df-444c-9936-c136fbd14d6e Buy Alex's book entitled 'Now It All Makes Sense' 👉 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Now-All-Makes-Sense-Diagnosis/dp/1399817817 Get 30% off an annual Tiimo subscription 👉 https://www.tiimoapp.com/offers/adhdchatter Producer: Timon Woodward Recorded by: Hamlin Studios Trailer editor: Ryan Faber DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

SPEAKERS

Alex Partridge
host
Host of the ADHD Chatter Podcast.
Dr. William Dodson
guest
Psychiatrist known for describing rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) in ADHD.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of ADHD Chatter Podcast, featuring Alex Partridge and Dr. William Dodson, The Psychiatrist Who Discovered RSD Explains How To Stop It - Dr. William (Bill) Dodson explores understanding RSD in ADHD: triggers, toll, and effective relief RSD is an abrupt, catastrophic, often physically painful response to perceived loss of approval, respect, or love, and sufferers struggle to describe the pain beyond its intensity.

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