Is there a single best treatment for rejection sensitive dysphoria?

No. Most people benefit from a layered approach: body-first tools, trauma-informed therapy, skills practice, and—when relevant—ADHD-aware medical care decided with a clinician.

Do medications help with RSD?

Some people with ADHD find that clinician-prescribed stimulant or non-stimulant medications reduce emotional reactivity. Others improve with therapy and lifestyle changes alone. Discuss options with a qualified professional.

What kind of therapist should I look for?

Look for trauma-informed and, if relevant, ADHD-aware therapists who mention somatic work, parts work (IFS), EMDR, compassion-focused approaches, or skills-based therapies like CBT/DBT/ACT.

What can I do right now while I look for support?

Practice a 60-second reset daily (orienting and longer exhales), prepare two short scripts (check-in and repair), and set simple notification boundaries. See our How to Deal page for step-by-step guidance.

Treatment for Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: Support Options

Treatment for rejection sensitive dysphoria isn’t one thing. For most people, support looks like a mix of body-first tools, trauma-informed therapy, ADHD-aware care (when relevant), and everyday practices that make flare-ups less intense and less frequent. Below is a gentle map of options you can consider with a clinician—and some low-lift steps you can start today.

What “treatment” can mean (compassion first)

Table of Contents

RSD is a fast, intense state change in response to perceived rejection or criticism. “Treatment” means building safety in layers:

In the moment: body resets that lower the surge so you don’t spiral.
Relationally: learning repair and co-regulation so connection feels safer.
Clinically: therapy and, for some, ADHD-aware medical care to reduce overall reactivity.
Daily life: skills, boundaries, sleep, movement—small habits that change the baseline.

During a flare	Long-term support
Orient to three colors; breathe out longer; delay replies.	Trauma-informed therapy; ADHD-aware care; skills practice; lifestyle supports.
Use one steady line: “This is RSD. I can slow down.”	Co-regulation plans, boundaries, expectation-setting at work/home.

Kind note: The goal isn’t to feel nothing—it’s to feel safe enough to stay real, even when it stings.

Therapy approaches that help

Choose a therapist who is trauma-informed and, where relevant, ADHD-aware. Helpful approaches include:

Somatic / nervous-system-aware therapy (e.g., somatic experiencing, sensorimotor): builds capacity to ride waves without collapse.
EMDR or other trauma processing: reduces the charge on old rejection memories.
IFS / parts work: gives kind language to the “rejected part” and the “protector” who over-apologizes or withdraws.
CBT / DBT / ACT: skills for reframing, tolerating distress, and acting by values instead of panic.
Compassion-focused therapy: softens shame and builds an inner secure base.

In sessions, ask for practice in-session: short grounding, feedback role-plays, and tiny homework that matches your window of tolerance.

ADHD-aware clinical care (when relevant)

Many people experience RSD alongside ADHD. For some, ADHD-informed medical care can lessen intensity by improving emotion regulation and focus. This may include stimulant or non-stimulant medications prescribed by a clinician, plus education around timing, sleep, and nutrition. Others find meaningful relief without medication through skills, therapy, and lifestyle shifts.

This page is not medical advice. Discuss options with a qualified professional who knows your history and context.

Skills & gentle coaching

Flare protocol practice: rehearse a 60-second reset daily so it’s there when you need it. (See How to Deal.)
Language swaps: keep two scripts ready—one for delayed replies, one for repair after a wobble.
Expectation-setting at work: “Bullet-point feedback helps me act quickly.”
Boundary reps: one shaped “no” per week to build safety in being seen.
Co-reg plan: with a partner/friend: a hand signal, a 10-minute pause, a do-over line.

Lifestyle supports (they matter more than they sound)

Sleep & rhythm: consistent sleep window stabilizes reactivity.
Movement: brisk walks, light strength, or dance—move the adrenaline through.
Protein & steady meals: even blood sugar = steadier feelings.
Sunlight & breaks: short outdoor moments reduce overall stress load.
Digital hygiene: mute read receipts; batch notifications; agree on response windows with close people.

Finding help

Look for language on a therapist’s profile like “trauma-informed,” “somatic,” “parts work/IFS,” “ADHD-aware,” or “compassion-focused.” If you’re in the UK, check national registers; elsewhere, use widely known directories. When contacting someone, you can say:

Inquiry script: “I experience intense sensitivity to perceived rejection (RSD). I’m looking for trauma-informed, possibly ADHD-aware support with practical tools for the body and relationships. Is that within your scope?”