Do You Have Rejection Sensitivity (RSD)? Quiz

Do You Have Rejection Sensitivity (RSD)?

Discover whether you experience Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria - intense emotional pain in response to perceived rejection or criticism.

Professional Disclaimer: This quiz is designed for educational purposes and self-reflection. It is not a diagnostic tool and cannot diagnose Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) or any other condition. RSD is commonly associated with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions. If your responses indicate significant emotional distress related to rejection sensitivity, please consult with a qualified mental health professional who specializes in ADHD and neurodivergence.

Question 1 of 20

1

How intense is your emotional response to perceived criticism or rejection?

Extremely intense - it feels physically painful and overwhelming

Very intense - I feel deeply hurt and it significantly impacts my mood

Moderately intense - I feel hurt but can usually manage it

Mildly intense - I may feel a bit hurt but recover quickly

2

How long does the emotional pain from rejection or criticism typically last for you?

Days to weeks - it can haunt me for a very long time

Several hours to a couple days - it sticks with me

An hour or two - I can move past it within the day

Minutes to an hour - I recover relatively quickly

3

Do you experience physical symptoms when you feel rejected or criticized?

Yes, intense physical symptoms (chest pain, nausea, difficulty breathing, shaking)

Yes, noticeable symptoms (rapid heartbeat, tension, stomach upset)

Sometimes mild symptoms (slight tension or discomfort)

Rarely or no physical symptoms

4

How often do you perceive rejection or criticism in neutral situations?

Very frequently - I often misinterpret neutral interactions as rejection

Frequently - I sometimes see rejection where there may be none

Occasionally - it happens but not often

Rarely - I usually interpret situations accurately

5

How much do you ruminate over past criticisms or rejections?

Constantly - I replay interactions over and over, even from years ago

Frequently - I think about them often and have trouble letting go

Sometimes - I think about them occasionally but can redirect

Rarely - I can move on without dwelling on past incidents

6

How sensitive are you to tone of voice, facial expressions, or body language?

Extremely sensitive - I analyze every subtle cue and often feel hurt

Very sensitive - I notice subtle changes and they affect me significantly

Moderately sensitive - I notice but don't always react strongly

Not particularly sensitive - I don't focus much on these cues

7

How often do you avoid situations where you might be criticized or rejected?

Very frequently - avoidance significantly limits my life and opportunities

Frequently - I avoid many situations due to fear of rejection

Sometimes - I avoid certain situations but not everything

Rarely - I generally face situations despite potential rejection

8

How much does fear of rejection or criticism impact your self-esteem?

Severely - my self-worth is deeply dependent on others' approval

Significantly - criticism really damages how I see myself

Moderately - it affects me but doesn't define my self-worth

Minimally - my self-esteem is relatively stable

9

Do you engage in people-pleasing behaviors to avoid potential rejection?

Constantly - I exhaust myself trying to please everyone

Frequently - I often put others' needs before my own to avoid conflict

Sometimes - I do this occasionally but not excessively

Rarely - I'm generally able to set boundaries

10

How quickly can your mood shift from good to devastated based on perceived rejection?

Instantly - I can go from happy to crushed in seconds

Very quickly - within minutes my mood can completely change

Gradually - my mood shifts but not immediately

Slowly - my mood is generally stable despite setbacks

11

How much do you seek reassurance from others about their feelings toward you?

Constantly - I need frequent reassurance to feel secure

Frequently - I often need confirmation that people aren't upset with me

Sometimes - I seek reassurance occasionally

Rarely - I'm generally secure without needing constant reassurance

12

How does your sensitivity to rejection affect your work or academic performance?

Severely - it significantly impairs my performance or I avoid challenges entirely

Significantly - fear of criticism makes work/school much harder

Moderately - it affects me but I can still function

Minimally - I can handle feedback professionally

13

Do you experience perfectionism driven by fear of criticism or failure?

Extreme perfectionism - I'm paralyzed by fear of not being perfect

Strong perfectionism - I push myself excessively to avoid criticism

Moderate perfectionism - I have high standards but can accept imperfection

Low perfectionism - I'm comfortable with "good enough"

14

How much do you fear disappointing others?

Overwhelming fear - the thought of disappointing someone devastates me

Strong fear - I go to great lengths to avoid disappointing others

Moderate concern - I care but can accept I can't please everyone

Minimal fear - I understand disappointment is part of life

15

How often do you overanalyze text messages or emails looking for signs of rejection?

Constantly - I analyze every word, punctuation mark, and response time

Frequently - I often read into messages and worry about their meaning

Sometimes - I occasionally overthink messages but not always

Rarely - I take messages at face value

16

How much has rejection sensitivity impacted your romantic relationships?

Severely - it has damaged or ended multiple relationships

Significantly - it creates frequent conflict and insecurity

Moderately - it causes occasional issues but is manageable

Minimally - it hasn't significantly affected my relationships

17

Do you have a history of ADHD or suspect you might have ADHD?

Yes, I'm diagnosed with ADHD

I strongly suspect I have ADHD but haven't been formally diagnosed

I have some ADHD traits but I'm unsure

No, I don't believe I have ADHD

18

How often do you experience sudden rage or intense anger in response to perceived rejection?

Frequently - I often experience intense anger or rage

Sometimes - I occasionally have strong angry reactions

Rarely - I might feel frustrated but not intense rage

Never or almost never - anger isn't my typical response

19

How much has rejection sensitivity affected your friendships or social life?

Severely - I struggle to maintain friendships or avoid social situations

Significantly - it creates challenges in friendships and social interactions

Moderately - it sometimes affects my social life but not drastically

Minimally - I maintain healthy friendships despite sensitivity

20

How much does rejection sensitivity interfere with your overall quality of life?

Severely - it's one of the most challenging aspects of my life

Significantly - it frequently impacts my wellbeing and functioning

Moderately - it affects me but I can still function well overall

Minimally - it's present but doesn't significantly limit my life

Previous Next Get Your Results

Managing Rejection Sensitivity with Professional Support

Therapy for RSD and ADHD

• Learn to differentiate between real rejection and perceived rejection
• Develop emotional regulation strategies for intense feelings
• Build self-compassion and reduce shame around sensitivity
• Address underlying ADHD symptoms that contribute to RSD
• Process past experiences of rejection and criticism
• Create coping strategies for triggers and difficult situations

Medication and Comprehensive Treatment

• ADHD medications can significantly reduce RSD symptoms
• Alpha agonists (guanfacine, clonidine) specifically help with emotional regulation
• Combination of therapy and medication often most effective
• Psychiatric evaluation to rule out co-occurring conditions
• Holistic approach addressing sleep, exercise, and stress
• Regular monitoring and adjustment of treatment plan

Ready to find relief from rejection sensitivity?

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