41. RSD and Masking: Why Criticism Sticks and Praise Slides Straight Off

Nine good comments in the performance review. One 'area for growth'. Three days later you can still quote the one, word for word. You couldn't name a single one of the nine.

That's ADHD rejection sensitivity, and the usual fixes don't touch it. Don't take it personally. Keep a praise folder. You've tried. There's a reason the nine never land, and it's not that you're too sensitive.

More episodes on RSD

If this one hits, listen next: Why You Can't Accept Kindness: Masking, Surface Acting and the Wall That Blocks Love In

Free Resources Available here

References

Mylett et al. (2026). Social camouflaging in adults with ADHD. Research in Neurodiversity.

McKinney et al. (2024). Camouflaging in neurodivergent and neurotypical girls. JCPP Advances.

Wicherkiewicz & Gambin (2024). Camouflaging, life satisfaction and depression in women with ADHD. J Autism Dev Disord.

Swann, De La Ronde & Hixon (1994). Authenticity and positivity in marriage and courtship. JPSP.

Kwang & Swann (2010). Do people embrace praise even when they feel unworthy? PSPR.

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