The Neurodivergent Lounge - Episode 7 RSD_When Rejection Hits Different

Episode Title: RSD - When Rejection Hits DifferentDuration: 12 minutesHost: Marie Martin - Creator and Founder of NeuroSora Codex & SORA Ally

Episode Notes:

RSD doesn’t always have to run the show. Sometimes the win is recognizing the face, the tone, the pattern—and choosing to respond differently.

Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD) isn’t “just taking things too personally.” For many with ADHD or autism, rejection feels like a full-body hit—sharp, overwhelming, and hard to shake. In this episode, Marie unpacks why rejection lands so differently for neurodivergent brains and how to reframe the experience without minimizing it.

We’ll cover:

• What’s really happening in the brain during RSD
• Why the emotional impact feels immediate and intense
• How RSD connects to past experiences of criticism or exclusion
• A personal story of turning RSD into pattern recognition in real time
• Practical ways to notice the spiral and protect your energy

RSD doesn’t mean you’re “too sensitive.” It means your brain is wired to feel connection deeply—and that depth can become a strength when you understand it.

Key Insights & Takeaways

💡 RSD isn't a character flaw - it's a nervous system response from a brain trying to keep you safe from social rejection

🧠 It's adapted sensitivity - your brain learned hypervigilance because rejection has been painful and frequent

⚡ The goal isn't to stop feeling intensely - it's to work with your RSD instead of being controlled by it

🎯 Your sensitivity is emotional intelligence - the same brain that feels rejection deeply also reads rooms and cares about relationships

🌟 The right people won't find your intensity rejectable - they'll find it refreshing

✨ The Neurodivergent Lounge: A comfortable space for uncomfortable growth.

Host Bio

Marie Martin is the Creator and Founder of NeuroSora Codex & SORA Ally, and host and producer of The Neurodivergent Lounge. Through her personal journey with RSD and neurodivergence, Marie understands firsthand how rejection sensitivity can impact daily life and relationships. She's passionate about helping others recognize their sensitivity as emotional intelligence rather than weakness.