Sensitivity to Rejection

This painful thinking pattern, sensitivity to rejection, is deeply ingrained in our brains, likely for evolutionary reasons. It is especially pronounced in the female ADHD brain.

Rejection sensitivity seems more intense in women with ADHD. Neuropsychiatrist Louann Brizendine explains that girls' brains are designed for connection. Historically, women relied on social bonds for safety. This made them more attuned to social rejection.

Women fear exclusion so much that it influences their behavior. Unlike men, who might bully physically, women often use social tactics like exclusion and rumors to hurt others.

The ADHD brain is different in how it processes emotions. The amygdala, which handles fear and anger, sends signals to the hypothalamus and prefrontal cortex. In ADHD brains, this process is more intense, making the fear of rejection stronger and harder to manage.

Psychiatrist William Dodson calls this rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD), where rejection can feel like physical pain.

Women, especially those with ADHD, are wired to be sensitive to rejection. This heightened sensitivity can be painful, but it also allows us to feel deeply.

Ref: Fear of Rejection: An Evolutionary Adaptation in ADHD Women (additudemag.com)