ADHD & Rejection Sensitivity: How to Stop Walking on Eggshells and Start Trusting Yourself

If you feel like everyone is mad at you — even when nothing’s wrong — this episode explains why and how to heal.

If you have ADHD and feel like you’re constantly bracing for rejection, walking on eggshells in relationships, or panicking over small interactions — this episode is for you.

In this deeply personal solo episode, Kristen Carder breaks down rejection sensitivity (RSD) through a clear before-and-after lens. She shares how ADHD, childhood criticism, and nervous-system hypervigilance create intense emotional reactions — and how real healing is possible.

You’ll learn:

✨What rejection sensitivity actually is (and why it feels so intense)
✨Why ADHD adults misread neutral situations as rejection
✨How childhood criticism wires the nervous system for hypervigilance
✨The difference between real rejection and perceived rejection
✨Why safe relationships can still feel unsafe
✨What changed in Kristen’s marriage after doing RSD work
✨How to self-soothe instead of spiraling or seeking reassurance
✨A practical emotional regulation tool (R.A.I.N.)
✨What it looks like to move from walking on eggshells to walking in self-trust

This episode is compassionate, validating, and hopeful — especially if you’ve ever felt like you’re “too sensitive” or afraid you’re one mistake away from rejection.

✨ Join the Rejection Sensitivity Webinar:
https://ihaveadhd.com/rejection

Chapters:
00:00 – Welcome & Why We’re Talking About Rejection Sensitivity
02:45 – Why RSD Isn’t the First Thing Addressed After Diagnosis
07:10 – What Rejection Sensitivity Feels Like in Daily Life
12:20 – Childhood Criticism, ADHD & Hypervigilance
18:05 – Real vs. Perceived Rejection
24:10 – How RSD Shows Up in Adult Relationships
31:40 – Why Even Safe People Can Feel Unsafe
38:25 – What Actually Helped Heal My RSD
45:15 – Learning to Self-Soothe Instead of Spiral
52:10 – Asking for Reassurance Without Shame
58:00 – Final Encouragement & What Healing Makes Possible

Also check out:
-Kristen's Website | https://ihaveadhd.com/home
-Kristen's Instagram |   / i.have.adhd.podcast  
-ADHD Symptoms | https://ihaveadhd.com/adhdsymptoms
-Get the FREE Perfectionism Course | https://ihaveadhd.com/perfectionism
-Subscribe to the I Have ADHD Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify | https://ihaveadhd.com/podcasts
-Get coached by Kristen in FOCUSED | https://ihaveadhd.com/focusedcoaching

#adhd #rsd #rejectionsensitivity