RSD CONTENTS
The ADHD RSD Toolkit, authored by Heather Lowry, is a structured resource designed to help individuals with ADHD understand and manage Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). The toolkit opens with an introductory welcome, then delves into the neuroscience underpinning RSD and its developmental origins. It offers a practical "Spiral Interrupter" toolkit that presents everyday scenarios and actionable strategies, followed by reflection prompts to encourage personal insight. Two sections provide guidance on how to explain RSD to others using real‑life examples, and the material concludes with next‑step recommendations for living beyond RSD. Printable worksheets are included to support ongoing practice and self‑monitoring.
Topics
Introduction & Welcome: Setting the Stage for RSD Healing
An opening overview that introduces the purpose of the toolkit, establishes a supportive tone, and outlines what readers can expect.
Understanding RSD & the Neuroscience Behind It
Explains the brain mechanisms, neurochemical pathways, and ADHD‑related factors that give rise to Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria.
Where RSD Comes From: Developmental and Environmental Roots
Examines the origins of RSD, including early experiences, attachment patterns, and how ADHD traits interact with rejection sensitivity.
Spiral Interrupter Toolkit – Everyday Scenarios and Practical Strategies
Provides concrete, scenario‑based interventions that interrupt the RSD spiral, offering step‑by‑step actions for common triggering situations.
Reflection Prompts: Guided Self‑Inquiry for Insight and Growth
A series of journaling and self‑reflection questions designed to help users process experiences, identify patterns, and cultivate resilience.
Explaining RSD to Others – Real‑Life Scenarios and Communication Tools
Offers scripts, analogies, and example dialogues to help individuals articulate RSD to friends, family, colleagues, and professionals.
Conclusion & Next Steps: Living Beyond RSD
Summarizes key takeaways, outlines ongoing practices, and encourages continued growth beyond the toolkit.
Printable Worksheets: Hands‑On Tools for Practice and Tracking
Provides downloadable worksheets that reinforce the toolkit’s strategies, allowing users to track progress and apply concepts daily.