William Dodson describes RSD

1. 0:00 – 0:30

   Defining RSD: sensitivity to perceived loss of love, approval, or respect

   1. WDWilliam Dodson0:00

      What RSD is, is an exquisite sensitivity to the perception, doesn't have to be real, the perception that someone has withdrawn their love, approval, or respect. And I mean, nobody likes being criticized, nobody likes being rejected, but for people who have an ADHD style nervous system, it is catastrophic. In fact, that's why the, the name of it includes the word dysphoria, which is literally Greek for unbearable. And

2. 0:30 – 0:52

   Why it feels unbearable: instant emotional escalation and physical pain

   1. WDWilliam Dodson0:30

      so it's like sort of, uh, other people's experience of rejection, only it is suddenly hit. You go from zero to 100 in the blink of an eye. It's incredibly painful, and it's physically painful. You'll see people clutch their chest or hunch over or grimace because it is not just emotionally painful, it's physically painful as well.

Episode duration: 0:52