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Why do I react so strongly to criticism with ADHD? 

Posted
Updated
ByMy Patient Advice
Author: Victoria Rowe, MSc | Reviewed by: Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS

If you find that criticism, even mild or well-meant, feels painful or overwhelming, you are not alone. According to NHS guidance and NICE NG87, intense emotional reactions are common in ADHD due to differences in how the brain processes emotion and feedback. 

Discover if you have ADHD

Understanding rejection sensitivity in ADHD 

Many people with ADHD experience rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD), a heightened emotional response to real or perceived rejection or criticism. RSD can cause sudden feelings of sadness, shame, or anger after even small comments or neutral feedback. This response is not overreacting; it reflects genuine neurological differences in how emotional pain is processed (PubMed, 2025). 

Emotional dysregulation and self-esteem 

NHS and Mind UK highlight that ADHD is often linked with emotional dysregulation, strong emotions that rise quickly and take longer to settle. When this combines with years of misunderstood feedback or challenges at work or school, many people develop low self-esteem, making criticism feel more personal or painful. A 2025 PubMed meta-analysis found that people with ADHD often misinterpret neutral comments as rejection because of past experiences of judgment or failure. 

How to manage sensitivity to criticism 

Learn emotional regulation techniques  

NHS and RCPsych recommend cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and emotional regulation training to help identify emotional triggers, pause before reacting, and reframe feedback more realistically. 

Build resilience with mindfulness and DBT  

Mindfulness and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), available through NHS and community programmes, help strengthen emotional awareness and distress tolerance. These therapies teach practical tools like paced breathing, grounding, and acceptance strategies. 

Strengthen self-esteem and self-compassion  

NICE guidance encourages building self-esteem through achievable goals, social connection, and supportive feedback. Recognising your strengths, not just your struggles, helps protect against the sting of criticism. 

Programmes such as Theara Change offer structured emotional coaching for ADHD, while ADHD Certify provides NICE-aligned clinical support for adults seeking diagnosis or medication review. 

Takeaway 

Strong emotional reactions to criticism are part of how ADHD affects emotional processing, not a sign of weakness. According to NHS and NICE guidance, practising CBT, mindfulness, and emotional regulation can help transform self-criticism into confidence and turn feedback into growth. 

Victoria Rowe, MSc
Author

Victoria Rowe is a health psychologist with a Master’s in Health Psychology and a BS in Applied Psychology. She has experience as a school psychologist, conducting behavioural assessments, developing individualized education plans (IEPs), and supporting children’s mental health. Dr. Rowe has contributed to peer-reviewed research on mental health, including studies on anxiety disorders and the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare systems. Skilled in SPSS, Minitab, and academic writing, she is committed to advancing psychological knowledge and promoting well-being through evidence-based practice.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the author's privacy. 

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, MBBS
Reviewer

Dr. Rebecca Fernandez is a UK-trained physician with an MBBS and experience in general surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, intensive care, and emergency medicine. She has managed critically ill patients, stabilised acute trauma cases, and provided comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care. In psychiatry, Dr. Fernandez has worked with psychotic, mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders, applying evidence-based approaches such as CBT, ACT, and mindfulness-based therapies. Her skills span patient assessment, treatment planning, and the integration of digital health solutions to support mental well-being.

All qualifications and professional experience stated above are authentic and verified by our editorial team. However, pseudonym and image likeness are used to protect the reviewer's privacy. 

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