Prof. Maggie Sibley

But some people are taking this a step further and they're saying that people with ADHD have this particular emotional problem where they are really sensitive to criticism. Like their mood totally plummets if they feel like they're being rejected or criticized. And some doctors have even named this. They call it rejection sensitivity dysphoria.

But some people are taking this a step further and they're saying that people with ADHD have this particular emotional problem where they are really sensitive to criticism. Like their mood totally plummets if they feel like they're being rejected or criticized. And some doctors have even named this. They call it rejection sensitivity dysphoria.

This is an idea that the Internet has really caught hold of. But I looked into it. There's hardly any evidence for it. There's really just one paper, which is about four patients.

This is an idea that the Internet has really caught hold of. But I looked into it. There's hardly any evidence for it. There's really just one paper, which is about four patients.

And when I talked to academics about this projection sensitivity thing or the emotional dysregulation thing, they said it might be a part of ADHD. But for some people, something different might explain what's going on. So maybe they have ADHD, but they also have another condition on top of that. That's very common.

And when I talked to academics about this projection sensitivity thing or the emotional dysregulation thing, they said it might be a part of ADHD. But for some people, something different might explain what's going on. So maybe they have ADHD, but they also have another condition on top of that. That's very common.

We know a lot of people with ADHD also have a mental health diagnosis or they're neurodivergent in some other way, like they have autism. Studies pin it at at least 60% of people who have ADHD have another diagnosis. And anxiety and depression are some of the most common ones, which, you know, could also be associated with being really sensitive people. to being criticized or perceived rejection.

We know a lot of people with ADHD also have a mental health diagnosis or they're neurodivergent in some other way, like they have autism. Studies pin it at at least 60% of people who have ADHD have another diagnosis. And anxiety and depression are some of the most common ones, which, you know, could also be associated with being really sensitive people. to being criticized or perceived rejection.

Pretty much. And like, you know, the point of getting a diagnosis, ideally, is to get treatment and help for what's wrong. And so if you get the wrong diagnosis, you might get the wrong treatment. And so it's important to get the right diagnosis. And Maggie gave me an example of this. She told me about a teenager that she was evaluating.

Pretty much. And like, you know, the point of getting a diagnosis, ideally, is to get treatment and help for what's wrong. And so if you get the wrong diagnosis, you might get the wrong treatment. And so it's important to get the right diagnosis. And Maggie gave me an example of this. She told me about a teenager that she was evaluating.

This kid had got referred to her by a school because he had a lot of problems paying attention in class. But as Maggie was talking to this kid, she realized there was other stuff going on here.

This kid had got referred to her by a school because he had a lot of problems paying attention in class. But as Maggie was talking to this kid, she realized there was other stuff going on here.

Maggie said that trauma can affect how your brain works and affect your coping skills in a way that can affect how you pay attention. And she realized that that was explaining his symptoms. So she diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Maggie said that trauma can affect how your brain works and affect your coping skills in a way that can affect how you pay attention. And she realized that that was explaining his symptoms. So she diagnosed him with post-traumatic stress disorder.

And that matters because you don't treat PTSD the same way you treat ADHD. Right. So you don't just give someone stimulants to help them process their trauma, right? Right. Uh-huh.

And that matters because you don't treat PTSD the same way you treat ADHD. Right. So you don't just give someone stimulants to help them process their trauma, right? Right. Uh-huh.

I don't know. It could be. But I think the takeaway is that if you really struggle with this, don't assume it's just your ADHD. Something else could be going on for you.

I don't know. It could be. But I think the takeaway is that if you really struggle with this, don't assume it's just your ADHD. Something else could be going on for you.

There's another thing that's all over the Internet that's worth talking about. It's this idea that women and girls aren't getting diagnosed properly.

There's another thing that's all over the Internet that's worth talking about. It's this idea that women and girls aren't getting diagnosed properly.