Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) Quiz

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, or the extreme emotional pain linked to feelings of rejection and shame, impacts many adults with ADHD. Use this Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) quiz to determine if you might have Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. This test was created by William Dodson, M.D., LF-APA.

Rejection sensitive dysphoria, or the extreme emotional pain linked to feelings of rejection and shame, commonly affects children and adults with ADHD. Use this self-test to determine if your symptoms match those of RSD.
1. Do you experience sudden, intense bouts of rage when your feelings are hurt?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
2. Do you experience sudden, intense bouts of extreme sadness when you think you have been rejected or criticized?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
3. Are you your own harshest critic?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
4. Do you feel anxious in social situations because you assume that no one likes you?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
5. Do you consider yourself a “people pleaser,” going above and beyond to get on someone’s good side?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
6. Do you pass up opportunities or avoid starting projects because you’re afraid you’ll fail?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
7. Have you been called “overly sensitive” or a “head case” because of your strong emotional reactions?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
8. Do you dedicate more time than is necessary to a project or become perfectionistic to make sure your work has no mistakes (and is above reproach)?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
9. Do you ever experience your emotions as a physical sensation, as though you’ve been punched in the chest or physically “wounded?”*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
10. Do you feel shame about the “lack of control” you have over your emotions?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
11. Before you were diagnosed with ADHD, were you told you might have a mood disorder?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
12. Do you shy away from close friendships or romantic relationships, because you worry that if people “know the real you,” they won’t like you?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
13. Do you assume the worst in commonplace interactions — worrying you will be fired every time your boss calls you in to her office, for instance?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
14. Do you think that you cannot go on feeling this way?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
15. Do you avoid meeting new people or trying new things because your fear of rejection and criticism is so strong?*
- Very often
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
Hidden
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This screener is designed to determine whether you demonstrate symptoms similar to those of rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD). A high score does not necessarily mean you have RSD or another disorder. If you answered “Often” or “Very Often” to most of the questions there is a possibility that you may be experiencing symptoms of rejection sensitive dysphoria. An accurate diagnosis can only be made through clinical evaluation. Adapted from the work and presentations of William Dodson, M.D. Not a diagnostic tool.

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