EP 162: Why rejection hits so hard...ADHD & RSD explained

Have you ever watched your child fall apart over something that seems small — a correction at school, a cancelled plan, a simple “not now”… and wondered what is really going on?

In this powerful solo episode, Dr Olivia explores Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) — a term you may have seen everywhere on social media, but one that is often misunderstood.

Blending medical insight, real-life parenting experience, and practical tools, this episode unpacks:

• What RSD actually is (and why it is not in the DSM)
• The science behind emotional dysregulation in ADHD
• Why some experts support the term — and others challenge it
• What RSD really looks like in children and teenagers (especially girls)
• Why your child is not “overreacting” — and what their brain is doing instead
• The link between ADHD, rejection, and lived experience over time

Most importantly, Dr Olivia shares practical, compassionate strategies to help you support your child:

• How to respond in the moment (what helps — and what makes it worse)
• How to build emotional awareness before meltdown
• Why validation matters more than logic
• How to gently reduce avoidance and build resilience
• The role of therapy and when to consider medication

If you have ever felt confused, exhausted, or alone trying to support a child who feels everything so deeply, this episode will help you understand what is really happening — and how to move forward with confidence.

You are not alone in this. And neither is your child.

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If you would like to get in touch, you can email me directly at [e-mail]

I would genuinely love to hear from you, especially about the topics you would like covered and the guests you would love to hear from in 2026.