RSD was hard to explain at first—what I thought were just normal feelings turned out to be something much more interesting. Realizing it was part of my ADHD was a turning point. To make sense of it, I mapped out the seven phases of an RSD episode—from the trigger’s impact until it fades. Seeing these phases clearly not only helps in choosing strategies in the moment but also revealed deeper patterns—like over-apologizing, over-explaining, people-pleasing, perfectionism, and the exhausting cycle of procrastination/burnout. It shed light on why setting boundaries felt impossible and why second-guessing everything became second nature. A lot of recovery has come from learning about RSD—I hope it helps others find the same clarity.

In early 2021, I embarked on a transformative journey by taking Scott Barry Kaufman’s “Transcend” course, inspired by his book of the same name.

My disordered ways weren’t always assets. Every day, the small child inside wistfully, desperately wished to be organized and feel the confidence of knowledge.