The Science of Rejection Sensitivity
Understanding why rejection hurts so much - and why it's not your fault.
What research tells us
Research shows that emotional dysregulation is a core feature of ADHD, not just a "personality trait." The brain processes emotional information differently.
Scientists have been studying rejection sensitivity for decades. It's a recognised pattern that can be assessed and tracked over time.
Studies suggest the vast majority of people with ADHD experience heightened rejection sensitivity. It's one of the most common aspects of ADHD.
Research shows that understanding your patterns is the first step to managing them. Self-awareness creates space for change.
The ADHD-emotion connection
For a long time, ADHD was thought to be just about attention and hyperactivity. But research now shows that emotional regulation is a core part of ADHD, not something separate.
The same brain differences that affect focus also affect how we process and regulate emotions. This means people with ADHD often experience emotions more intensely, react more quickly, and take longer to recover.
Rejection sensitivity fits into this picture. It's not about being "too sensitive" - it's about how the brain is wired to process social and emotional information.
The six areas we measure
Our assessment looks at rejection sensitivity across six different areas, giving you a complete picture of your experience.
This includes things like:
- •Feeling hurt when someone seems disappointed
- •Reading into ambiguous situations
- •Small signs of rejection feeling like big deals
This includes things like:
- •Crushing emotional pain when rejected
- •Physical feelings like chest tightness
- •Feeling worthless after criticism
This includes things like:
- •Constantly checking if others are upset
- •Noticing tiny changes in tone
- •Dreading situations where you might be judged
This includes things like:
- •Shutting down completely
- •Sudden anger or defensiveness
- •Mind going blank or racing
This includes things like:
- •Replaying moments for hours or days
- •Needing lots of reassurance
- •Avoiding similar situations afterwards
This includes things like:
- •Avoiding opportunities due to fear
- •Relationships being affected
- •Work or school performance suffering
Why understanding this matters
When you understand your rejection sensitivity patterns, you can:
- Recognise what's happening - Instead of being overwhelmed by emotions, you can notice "this is my rejection sensitivity responding"
- Explain it to others - Having words for your experience helps you communicate with partners, friends, family, and professionals
- Track changes over time - Whether you're trying therapy, medication, or self-help strategies, you can see what's actually helping
- Feel less alone - Knowing this is a recognised pattern experienced by many others can be deeply validating
A note on our assessment
Our self-assessment is designed for personal insight and understanding. It's based on current research and clinical observation, but it's not a medical diagnosis.
If your results suggest significant rejection sensitivity, or if it's affecting your daily life, we encourage you to speak with a healthcare professional who understands ADHD and emotional dysregulation.
Your anonymised data also contributes to ongoing research, helping us better understand rejection sensitivity and improve support for others.
Ready to understand your patterns?
Take our 10-question assessment to learn about your rejection sensitivity across all six areas. You'll receive a personalised report explaining your results in plain language.