Your RSD Rescue Plan: A Guide for When the Spirals Hit
Most neurodiverse individuals have been there. That sudden, visceral punch to the gut when a friend’s tone feels slightly ‘off, or an email from a boss lands with a vague subject line. For many of us in the neurodivergent community, this isn't just ‘sensitivity’ - it's Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), and it can feel like a physical wound.
Today, I want to talk about setting up an RSD Action Plan - a gentle, research-backed safety net you can weave for yourself before the storm hits.
The Science: Why Does It Hurt So Much?
First, let’s validate what is happening in your brain. Research suggests that RSD is strongly linked to neurodivergence, particularly ADHD and Autism. It stems from differences in emotional regulation and brain structure. Studies indicate that in neurodivergent brains, the communication between the amygdala (our emotional alarm system) and the prefrontal cortex (the logical regulator) can be different.
This means when we perceive rejection - real or imagined - our ‘emotional brakes’ don't kick in as quickly as they might for others. The pain is real, intense, and often overwhelming. It’s not a character flaw; it’s neurobiology.
Step 1. The Check-In (Hypo vs. Hyper)
Before you can fix the spiral, you need to know where you are on the map. We often talk about the Window of Tolerance. When RSD hits, we are usually flung out of this window into one of two states:
Hyper-arousal (The Fire): You feel anxious, angry, manic, or like you need to ‘fix’ the relationship right now. You are in Fight or Flight.
Goal: Calm the nervous system down.
Hypo-arousal (The Freeze): You feel numb, dissociated, heavy, or unable to speak. You are in Freeze or Fawn.
Goal: Gently wake the nervous system up and reconnect with your body.
Step 2. Your RSD Action Plan Checklist
This is your emergency protocol. Keep it somewhere accessible, like a note on your phone.
Phase A: Immediate Triage
[ ] Name It to Tame It: Say out loud or in your head, 'This is an RSD flare. This is a chemical reaction in my brain. I am safe.'
[ ] Change Your Sensory Input:
If Hyper (Manic/Anxious): Use Deep Pressure. Wrap yourself tight in a weighted blanket or ask a partner to 'squish' you (a neurodivergent love language!). The physical compression helps down-regulate the nervous system.
If Hypo (Numb/Frozen): Use Penguin Pebbling on yourself. Find a small texture, a cold drink, or a fidget toy. Small, tangible sensations can help ground you back into reality.
[ ] Disconnect: Put the phone away. Do not send that text explaining yourself. Do not ask for reassurance yet. Give your prefrontal cortex time to come back online (this can take anywhere from 20 minutes to 3+ days).
Phase B: Gentle Regulation (Using Love Languages)
Physical Touch: If Touch is your language, use it to ground yourself. This doesn't have to be romantic. It can be a long hug (at least 20 seconds to release oxytocin), holding hands, or even sitting back-to-back with someone safe. Or get a massage or a facial. If you are alone, place your hand firmly over your heart or stomach to self-soothe or try ‘High Fiving Your Heart.’ You could also rub your hands under cold water or massage in a hand cream.
Parallel Play/ Body Doubling: If being alone is scary, ask a safe person to just be there. They don't need to talk or fix it. Just sitting in the same room reading or working can signal safety to your brain.
Info-Dumping (Journaling): If your brain is looping, get it out. ‘Info-dump’ your feelings into a voice note or a journal. Often, seeing the thoughts externally helps separate feelings from facts.
Support Swapping: If you have a ‘Spoonie’ friend, text them a code word (like ‘RSD Alert’). Their job isn't to solve it, but to remind you that you are loved and your brain is playing tricks on you.
Step 3. Triggers - When to Activate the plan
You need to know your ‘Tripwires.’ Activate this plan immediately if you notice:
Tone Policing: You are obsessing over a lack of emojis or a period at the end of a text.
The ‘Everyone Hates Me’ Spiral: One small criticism makes you feel like you are failing at life, work, and relationships simultaneously.
Physical Symptoms: A sudden drop in your stomach, chest tightness, or instant fatigue after a social interaction.
The Urge to Over-Apologise: You feel a desperate need to confess or apologise for things that haven't actually happened.
Be Gentle With Yourself
ND whānau, this is the most important part. Having RSD doesn't make you ‘too much.’ It means you feel deeply, and that is also where your empathy, your passion, and your creativity come from.
Your action plan isn't about ‘fixing’ you; it's about caring for you. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer a friend.
Research Note: For those who want to dig deeper, look into the work of Dr. William Dodson on ADHD and RSD, or explore the ‘Window of Tolerance’ concept by Dr. Dan Siegel.
What is one thing you will add to your RSD Action Plan today?
For more information, contact Brooke on [email protected].
