14 Comments
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Esme Fae's avatar

I've seen a lot of stuff about RSD in recent years, and I always think "Thank goodness that is one ADHD trait I don't seem to have."

But then I remembered how when I was a child, I was 100% absolutely convinced that every single one of my teachers hated me. Looking back, it that seems somewhat unlikely. It makes much more sense that I had raging RSD and interpreted every "Use your inside voice," "Please stop squirming around," and "You didn't turn in the assignment, so I have to give you a 0 on it" as "KID, I ABSOLUTELY HATE YOU AND WANT YOU TO DIE."

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Emily Johnson's avatar

So relatable. Although I still feel it as I've grown older

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Marialena Gallagher's avatar

I’m still spiraling over something that happened on Thanksgiving 😅

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Emma's avatar

I got a text yesterday that instantly made my chest feel heavy. Looking back at it now it was a completely normal message...

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RaMiLu's avatar

Beautiful article thanks for sharing ♡

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The ADHD Weasel's avatar

glad this found you :)

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Chad Christensen's avatar

In forensic evaluations, emotional spirals from RSD can mimic more severe psychopathology. The “Three Strikes Rule” is a simple tool I now suggest to clients. It helps externalize emotional overload and offers clearer differentiation between reactivity and disorder. Especially helpful in ADHD and trauma-related cases.

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The ADHD Weasel's avatar

Thanks for commenting Chad. Very interesting newsletter!

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Marian Thomas Sudano's avatar

Thanks for sharing this piece of information. I never understood the physical reaction from criticism and would keep rationilizing it in my brain instead of just letting myself feel it.

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Sharen Eskelsen's avatar

Thank you for this tool! I'm 65 and just heard about RSD for the first time 2 weeks ago. What an amazing thing to have something that has been a major part of my life explained. Understanding is comforting and freeing, but then what? Standing in my room, in the middle of getting dressed, on a phone distract, I find a tool I can use. I took a screenshot of the worksheet and I'm going to make a notepad I can have handy for when my head goes off on replay. Thank you again

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The ADHD Weasel's avatar

Thanks for commenting Sharen. Glad this found you :)

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Jensen Miers's avatar

The last time something kept coming back to me: Frustration I'm not focused enough to open and continue my own business.

How many times did I replay it before I dealt with it: all day at times, in moments every time I sat down to work on my personal business.

This week, when something hits Strike Three, I’ll write it down in: a voice memo, the notes app, or Google docs or Word on my work computer.

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Sapna M's avatar

I needed to read this today. Thank you.

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The ADHD Weasel's avatar

You're welcome Sapna! Glad this found you :)

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