Nicola Reekie is a late identified autistic, dyslexic ADHDer,  founder of The PDA Space with a passion for helping parents and families learn more about PDA and support them on their parenting journey to create a calmer home. 

In this talk, Nicola explores how RSD affects emotions, behaviour, and relationships, as well as its connection to the brain’s stress responses—such as fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and flood.

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is an intense emotional response to perceived or actual rejection, criticism, or failure. It is particularly common among individuals with ADHD, autism, and other forms of neurodivergence, often leading to heightened anxiety, self-criticism, and difficulties with self-esteem and boundaries. 

Nicola introduces the concept of the nervous system ,” which represents the sudden, overwhelming fear of rejection or failure, and discuss how these responses can make social and workplace environments challenging. Understanding these patterns is key to managing emotional overwhelm and fostering self-compassion.

The session also covers practical self-care strategies tailored for those with RSD, including:

•   The Glimmer Diary – a tool for recognizing and reinforcing positive moments.
•   Sensory and emotional regulation techniques – managing overstimulation and emotional flooding.
•   The “Give Yourself a Hug” concept – self-soothing techniques to build emotional resilience.
•   Mindfulness, nature, and stress management practices – ways to ground yourself during moments of emotional intensity.
•   Effective communication strategies – expressing needs and boundaries in personal and professional settings.

By the end of this talk, attendees gain a deeper understanding of RSD, recognize their own emotional triggers, and leave with actionable strategies to navigate sensitivity to rejection with greater confidence and self-care.