Reframing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria: A Theoretical Model of Inward-Facing Hyperfocus in ADHD

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is commonly described as an acute emotional reaction to perceived rejection or criticism, particularly in individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While often framed as emotional hypersensitivity, this paper proposes an alternative model: that RSD may stem from the cognitive phenomenon of hyperfocus a well-documented ADHD trait when directed inward toward ambiguous or unresolved social cues. This inward-facing hyperfocus traps the individual in a cognitively demanding simulation loop, lacking the dopamine reinforcement typical of external task-based focus, and instead provoking stress responses. This paper outlines the neurocognitive mechanisms behind this phenomenon and offers a framework for understanding RSD as a problem-solving loop in the absence of actionable input. Implications for therapy, self-management, and further empirical research are discussed.