As an ADHDer about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and they’ll be able to give you a (long) list on where it’s shown up in their life, and how it affects them. But, ask neurotypicals about it, and you often first have to describe what it even is. RSD isn’t on the diagnosis list as such, but it’s a bit part of ADHD, and therefore cannot be ignored, especially when it come to business.
A pet peeve of mine – which doesn’t take into account the effect of RSD – is the business marketing advice (which is given all good conscience) that says “DM them, what’s the worst that can happen” or similar. I hear you. You think the worst that can happen is that they will say no. But when RSD kicks in, that no can be devastating.
This isn’t just a fear of rejections. It’s about your whole nervous system reacting as if something small (a pause, a no, a bit of feedback) is a threat to your worth.
And when you run your own business? That hits even harder.
Let’s look at how RSD might be showing up for you — and what to do next.
1. Someone unsubscribes from your newsletter — and you instantly panic
Your brain jumps straight to:
“What did I do wrong?”
“Did I offend them?”
“They must hate my work.”
💡 Reality check: People unsubscribe for all kinds of reasons — full inboxes, changing focus, timing.
It doesn’t mean you messed up.
🧠 Try this: Create a “kind evidence” folder — notes from people who do value your work. Refer back when the panic sets in.
2. A prospective client ghosts you — and your brain spirals
No reply after a proposal or discovery call?
You might assume:
“They hated it.”
“I wasn’t good enough.”
“They found someone better.”
💡 But here’s the thing: People get busy. Life happens. Sometimes it has nothing to do with you at all.
🧠 Try this: Set a reminder to follow up. Assume nothing. And remind yourself: silence ≠ rejection.
3. You receive feedback — and it feels like a personal attack
Even helpful, gentle feedback can land like a punch.
That’s RSD working behind the scenes, whispering:
“You’re not good enough.”
“They’re disappointed in you.”
“You’ve failed.”
💡 But feedback isn’t always criticism.
It might be an opportunity. A tweak. A growth point.
🧠 Try this: Pause. Let it land. Come back later. Then ask yourself: “What’s true? What’s useful?”
4. You spiral into self-blame — even without all the facts
A client doesn’t rebook. A launch flops. Someone seems distant.
Your brain fills in the gaps with:
“I messed up.”
“They’re annoyed with me.”
“What did I do wrong?”
💡 Here’s the truth: Most of the time, it’s not about you.
People are navigating their own stuff — and your brain is doing its best to protect you from perceived threats.
🧠 Try this: Ask yourself:
“Is this fact or fear?”
“What else might be true?”
That simple pause can stop the spiral before it takes over.
5. You imagine the worst — and feel ridiculous when it turns out fine
You overthink, over-prepare, worry constantly…
And then it turns out nothing was wrong at all.
You’re not dramatic. You’re not overreacting.
Your brain just feels things strongly — and it tries to fill in the blanks with the worst-case scenario.
🧠 Try this: Ground yourself in reality. Keep a log of “things I worried about that turned out fine.”
And most importantly? Talk it out.
RSD isn’t a flaw — it’s a very real experience for ADHDers.
It makes you sensitive, thoughtful, perceptive… but it can also make running a business feel like emotional whiplash.
When you understand what’s happening, you can meet it with compassion instead of criticism.
💬 Talk it out.
📥 Save kind words.
📊 Focus on facts.
🎯 Build in reflection and support.
✨ And find yourself a safe space where you can talk about what comes up for you.
But choose your tribe carefully — if someone you confide in responds with “just ignore it and move on,” and that doesn’t help you, then they’re not your person for this.
I’ve personally found the Square Pegs community invaluable — because being in a space where people truly get it? That changes everything.
You’re not broken.
You’re just wired differently — and now you know what to do with that.