Helping Teens with ADHD and RSD Improve Emotional Regulation (W/ Sharon Saline, Psy.D.)
Why It Matters
Understanding RSD and the neurodevelopmental lag in ADHD teens equips caregivers and schools with concrete tools to curb emotional outbursts, improve social functioning, and ultimately reduce long‑term mental‑health costs.
Key Takeaways
- •ADHD teens experience delayed prefrontal cortex development affecting regulation
- •Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) amplifies emotional pain from perceived rejection
- •Social anxiety, perfectionism, and impostor syndrome intertwine with RSD
- •Structured communication skills and body‑language coaching improve teen interactions
- •AI‑driven tools like Play Attention can strengthen focus and resilience
Summary
The webinar, titled “Big Kids, Big Emotions,” featured clinical psychologist Dr. Sharon Selene discussing how teens with ADHD experience heightened emotional volatility, especially when faced with rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).\n\nSelene explained that the pre‑frontal cortex, the brain region responsible for judgment and self‑regulation, matures about three years later in ADHD youth, leaving them vulnerable to impulsive reactions and poor self‑awareness. Recent data show anxiety rates climbing from 34 % to 40 % among this group, and RSD—characterized by intense, often disproportionate distress after real or imagined criticism—adds a layer of social‑anxiety, perfectionism, and impostor syndrome.\n\nShe illustrated the problem with teen testimonies: Kyla (14) fears others’ opinions, Tanisha (16) feels a “punch in the stomach” after feedback, and Rex (13) describes emotional waves that overwhelm him. Selene also cited actress Simone Ashley’s comment that rejection “hits the heart,” underscoring RSD’s visceral impact.\n\nThe session concluded with practical recommendations: teach active‑listening, body‑language cues, and negotiation skills; differentiate internalized versus externalized RSD responses; and leverage AI‑driven platforms such as Play Attention to train focus and resilience. For parents, educators, and clinicians, these strategies promise more consistent peer relationships and reduced emotional crises.
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