Why Does Everybody Hate Me?: Living and Loving with RSD

by Alex Partridge

Your boss asked you for a chat, and you just knew you were going to be fired
You didn't sleep all weekend, and you weren't fired

Someone answered your message with a thumbs-up emoji and you just knew they hated you.
So you stopped talking to them, they eventually stopped texting, and now you miss them like crazy

Someone went for a bathroom break mid-film, and you just knew it's because they think your taste in films is terrible
You were so upset you missed the rest of the film, and they left early

Rejection is physically painful for you. Even the most minor criticism stings. And why wouldn't it? By the time you were 12, you'd received 20,000 negative messages about yourself, your brain and your unique ADHD way of living life.

20,000.

Alex Partridge knows how it feels to live with Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), the state of emotional dysregulation experienced by almost everyone with ADHD. Throughout his journey from successful entrepreneur to neurodiversity campaigner and host of the hugely successful ADHD Chatter, Alex has been haunted by the fear of rejection, labelled 'over-sensitive', and fought constantly against the desire to people-please and protect himself from emotional harm.

In Why Does Everybody Hate Me? Alex draws on his own experience of RSD, and shares how it's coloured every aspect of his life, from his days as founder of the global social media content brands UniLad and LadBible, to his adult relationships, his mental health struggles and his terrible imposter syndrome. He'll use the insights he's gained from the world's top experts on ADHD to share with you some simple steps to regaining your boundaries, your confidence and your self-belief.

You are not 'too sensitive' - nor are you broken. You were always enough.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Adhd, Mental Health

256 pages, Paperback

Expected publication March 24, 2026

Reviews

[TheConnieFox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this nonfiction book to be incredibly eye opening! It really did capture my attention right at the very beginning. Before reading this book, I had not heard of RSD and what it was. I can relate to a lot of the symptoms it has. I always seem to think the worst of everything. RSD stands for the term Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria. It’s for people who are always called sensitive, which is me! Furthermore, RSD is an intense emotional pain tied to actual or perceived rejection/criticism, which is discussed in ADHD patients.

This book made me have a broader understanding of RSD and its symptoms. I felt hopeful, not alone and optimistic while reading this book. It was very well written, easy to read and came with tools for people that do have RSD. I highly recommend reading this book! I will be purchasing the physical copy of this book when it is released. Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Alex Partridge, John Murray Press US and Sheldon Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book is expected to be released on March 24, 2026!

[Evelyn Evertsen-Romp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley for this earc. All opinions are my own.

What a wonderful book. Alex had one of my favourite Instagram accounts on Instagram and he has helped me understand a lot about myself already. This book added so much to all of his videos.
It is nicely structured, kept my attention easily (no small feat, seeing I am the target audience), and felt really personal.
I admire Alex' vulnerability, and how every story will help his audience feel better about themselves. Gifting this book to someone else will definitely tell them you value them!

[Nenope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I follow Alex on social media so his views and knowledge on ADHD aren't quite new. And this is the exact reason I wanted to read his book because his social media posts have always been spot on descriptions of my own life. He actually contributed quite a bit of me filling in an ADHD questionnaire at work, and low and behold...my score went through the roof.

This book is a next level personal attack 😁 I started wondering if he has been living with me, observing me, I just haven't noticed it yet. I love his analytical mind, breaking down everyday situations and explaining them from the ADHD/RSD perspective. It certainly explained a lot of things from my 40 something years, when I just couldn't understand why I didn't fit in and thought that there was something wrong with me. Well, it turns out, there is, but it's normal 😊

I highly recommend this book, it's entertaining, it' funny, it's educational, it's reflective. It reminds me of Dean Burnette's The Idiot Brain.

Thank you NetGalley and Alex for the ARC, great book!

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) is not easy to discuss. Research into the subject is still quite new and it's difficult to describe to someone who has never experienced it. 


I was diagnosed AuDHD in my late 30s. From childhood I was told I had low self esteem, low self confidence and anxiety. I overreacted to things, I was too sensitive, I blew things out of proportion. I would take 30 minutes to write an email beside I was worried about getting the tone right. I thought a friend hated me because they didn't hug me goodbye once.


I saw multiple counselors, tried different types of therapy, and ultimately felt broken because nothing worked. Turns out it was RSD. Learning that helped so much because I could learn to reframe it. 


I can't emphasise how different reject sensitivity is to reject sensitivity dysphoria. 


My problem with this book is that it can't articulate that difference either. There's a lot of repetition and story telling because it's trying really hard to show how different it is. I understand this especially since RSD is frequently invalidated but it makes the book bloated and often difficult to read. 


I do think it could have been shorter and more balanced between explanation and practical advice but I'm glad that it exists. I'm hopeful that it will spark further discussion and research into RSD. 

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this one ONLY because I related to it SO MUCH….only issue is I don’t have ADHD. I do have an anxiety disorder and saw myself in the majority of these scenarios. I don’t want to invalidate individuals that do have RSD and ADHD, however, I wish the author would go more in depth into how “normal” rejection sensitivity feels and how RSD feels. I did Google RSD because I am a mental health therapist and never heard of it before (it’s good to know these terms) and Google informed me that RSD can be felt with many other disorders other than ADHD.
Overall, I felt the book was relatable and informative in how debilitating the desperate need to be liked and accepted can really be.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Sian · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

This book offers a much-needed and insightful look into Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and the impact it can have, particularly for people with ADHD. It does an excellent job of helping readers understand why we react the way we do, identify our triggers, and feel less alone in those experiences. I found the content extremely validating, and I appreciated the practical strategies provided that readers can begin to apply in their own lives.

The personal anecdotes were a standout and felt very relatable, adding warmth and authenticity to the material.

That said, the book was extremely repetitive at times, which made it difficult to maintain focus—somewhat ironic given that it’s written for an ADHD audience. While the repetition may be helpful for some readers, it occasionally detracted from the overall reading experience for me.

Overall, this is a helpful and affirming resource for anyone seeking to better understand RSD, even if it could benefit from tighter editing.


Thanks to NetGalley for the e-Arc.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real eye opener

[A Pixie Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book really insightful and, in many ways, validating. It helped me better understand myself as well as other people, and I think it offers strong representation of ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). There were moments where it genuinely put words to feelings I’ve struggled to explain for years and part of me wants to give a copy of this book to my partner, my family, and even my boss.

However, while I found the book informative, I didn’t feel like much of the advice was new. A lot of it echoes things I’ve heard before, and while I understand there’s no magic “fix everything” solution, some of the suggestions felt difficult to apply in real life. For example, the idea of simply asking people “are you mad at me?” relies heavily on others being emotionally aware and willing to communicate honestly. In my experience, that’s often not the case. I’m currently in a situation at work where I’m picking up on negative vibes after something happened. I’ve asked directly if there’s an issue and been told no, but the feeling hasn’t gone away. That leaves me stuck in a frustrating loop: either I’m imagining things and overreacting, or they’re not being truthful and there actually is a problem they won’t communicate. The advice doesn’t really account for this grey area, where other people’s communication styles don’t match the level of clarity you’re trying to achieve.

That’s where parts of the book left me feeling a bit hopeless. A lot of the strategies seem to depend on neurotypical people responding in ways that are clear, direct, and emotionally aware. But in reality, many people just aren’t like that. And for those of us with ADHD, that disconnect is often where the struggle comes from in the first place.

Overall, I think this book is powerful in terms of validation and understanding RSD, but less effective when it comes to practical advice that works in messy, real-world situations.

Thanks to netgalley for a E-ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own

[Leah McGeorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Alex Partridge and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read Why does everybody hate me? as an ARC, I feel changed for the better having read it. I truly believe everyone who is neurodivergent or suspects they could be would benefit from reading this book and I have already recommended it to so many friends who I know share these struggles.

This book is far from the usual fantasy, romance, horror and sci-fi I usually read, and it might be one of the most powerful books I've ever had the joy to read.

I was diagnosed with ADHD late in life after a lifetime of masking my symptoms behind anxiety and perfectionism. It was exhausting and getting a diagnosis as a high achiever who seemingly didn't exhibit the "typical" attention deficit that is applied to all cases of ADHD was far from easy.

Having read this book, if this had been a diagnostic criteria or I'd been asked even one question about RSD in my assessment I truly believe my psychiatrist would not have been so dismissive of my experience with ADHD because it wasn't the "usual" expression of it.

I was moved to tears by this book because it allowed me to finally pull apart my experiences with RSD, while providing techniques I can implement to try to help manage this part of my brain. One of the greatest things that has always helped me was finding out my experience was shared and this book has this in spades.

As a former teacher I wish this book had been around when I was training so I could explain why my classroom was a mess, why I struggled with criticism, and why so many of my students obviously felt the same. The strategies in these books should be taught in schools, offices, universities and included in management training so everyone has the support they need to succeed.

I know this is a book I will revisit and recommend. I look forward to adding it to my toolkit to support my ADHD brain and attempt to be kinder to my inner child.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Sheldon Press for the advanced copy

Full disclaimer, I am not diagnosed with ADHD or autism, I do have a "developmental disorder not otherwise specified" one, which is what you will get if you are a woman over 35 in France (it should be on the ASD spectrum, but not in France, I could talk about my country and neurodiversity and women for hours, but now is not the time). I do tick all the boxes of RSD though, which is why I picked up this book.

I agree with the author so much : we don't talk enough about RSD when we talk about ADHD (or neurodiversity in general). Forget executive dysfunction, RSD is probably the hardest part of it all because it makes relationships (all kind of relationships) so much more complicated ; it's also probably a big contributor of burnout because it is exhausting to overthink social interactions like that.

This book explains what RSD is really well (I truly believe that the best way to beat something is to actually understand it) and why it's so prevalent in people with ADHD and will often be diagnosed as an anxiety disorder. The advice given is really good and can actually also be useful to people with anxiety disorders, when a situation becomes too much the best thing to do is to take a step back and reframe. I do love that the author doesn't promise a cure (there isn't one) or miracles, he just gives tools that worked for him or other people with RSD. You can't get rid of RSD, but you can learn how to live with it and how to make your life better. The part about the workplace was the best one imo, workplace relationships are the trickiest for me

[Ches (Ches Is Hyperfixating) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ rounded up

This book was very relatable! I struggle with RSD as part of my ADHD and found myself nodding along and saying "yep, yep!" at multiple parts. Also, "ten highly caffeinated squirrels running around my brain" is exactly how I would describe my brain too!

RSD is not new to me; it's something I learnt about a long time ago when I was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD. Over the years my RSD has greatly improved due to management strategies, however I do still struggle with it and I did appreciate the strategies laid out in the book. I think they will be beneficial to many ADHDers. Personally I would have preferred if they were in a separate section rather than interspersed throughout the book, just for ease of finding them.

I especially liked that the author include a small section and some strategies for ADHD parents with RSD, of ADHD children with RSD. The challenges of being a neurodivergent (ND) parent of an ND child are not discussed enough and many self-help books leave this out.

The book does have a lot of personal anecdotes in, which I liked as I found many of them relatable. However, those who don't like personal anecdotes in their self-help books may not appreciate this.

Overall, I thought this was a great exploration of RSD that really explains how debilitating it can be. It also does a good job of providing clear and useful strategies in an accessible way. I think this book will resonate with a great deal of ADHDers!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Mel Aras · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, that hit close to home!

I was diagnosed with ADHD as a pre-teen, and I never knew about the term Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) until now. I do believe the author's information and personal experiences in the book were helpful in understanding the book's overall topic.

The author’s writing felt pretty ADHD-coded to me. I personally did not feel bothered by it. In fact, it felt like having a conversation with another friend who has ADHD. However, I can see why this type of writing may be complex to follow for some ADHD-ers and people who do not have ADHD.

When it comes to some of the author's suggestions, I found some useful, while I do not think others fit me. We ADHD people are not exactly the same, so while I may struggle with some of the suggestions, another person may find them useful. I do not want to make a definitive conclusion about the suggestions.

Overall, I am very happy that I have read this book and learned a new term that I do believe applies to me, at least here and there.

I would suggest this book to people with ADHD, people who know someone with ADHD that they care about, and people who are curious about ADHD.

Huge thanks to Netgalley, John Murray Press US | Sheldon Press, and Alex Partridge for this advanced reader’s copy.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
As a Gen X woman who sought help her whole life and never got it, who had to self diagnose through the process of fighting the system to get two of my children officially diagnosed with ADHD, I was excited to read this book!
I had never heard of RSD, so this was very enlightening. Incredibly validating to learn that I was not in fact the only person who thinks and feels the way I do. I started hi-lighting passages immediately, it was as if I had written the words on the pages myself describing my experiences. The author gives strategies for handling the struggles of RSD and how to recognize the lies our brains tell us. I sure wish I had this type of resource growing up, even more so when I had my own children. Communication would have been so much easier! I have asked my husband to read this book to better understand me and our adult kids. It is wild how different ADHD presents in people, but there are always components of the same. The biggest take away is that we are not alone, we are not broken, we are enough.

[Maria Marmanides]

Why Does Everybody Hate Me? puts language to a feeling many people recognize but rarely articulate: the intense emotional reaction to perceived rejection. Alex Partridge’s voice is candid, funny, and disarming, and his personal stories make the concept of Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria feel accessible rather than clinical. I appreciated how often the book made me stop and think, oh wow, that’s me.

That said, the book is light on structure and depth, sometimes reading more like a collection of relatable anecdotes than a fully developed guide. While comforting and validating — especially for readers new to RSD or ADHD — it may feel a bit surface-level for those already familiar with the topic. Still, it’s an engaging, affirming read that succeeds at making people feel less alone, which goes a long way.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Nerwen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Alex Patridge for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this book out not really knowing what it was about. I am not diagnosed with ADHD, nor do I think I have ADHD. What I do know is, that I am struggling with my mental health and that the sentence "Why does everybody hate me" have crossed my mind several times. I struggle in social settings, avoid conflicts and feel better off on my own. This book has been a great read. It made me feel less alone, it was the only time I really felt like somebody was able to look inside my brain and described scenarios that are so familiar to me.
It also gave good idea in how to navigate these, how to calm yourself down and that probably not everyone hates you :D

It is very anecdotal. The author draws mainly from their own experience and mentions that RSD haven't been studied enough yet. I would have liked it a bit more if there were at least some studies included, some sources or some people that are actively researching this topic. It also get quite repetitive, I understand why it is done, but it also got me skimming at parts.

It is a very fast read and it helped me reflect a bit more in which situations I might just be trying to please people and pay attention on my masking behaviour. People with ADHD might get even more out of it. And I can recommend it to anyone interested or understanding your loved ones who might be struggling with RSD.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 Stars

I appreciated the passion and vulnerability that went into writing this book. It was definitely a great introductory read on RSD. I gave it 3.5 stars because the book was very repetitive, and I found myself skimming to get to new information and/or strategies. The book could have been quite a bit shorter. It also would have been helpful to include graphs and some pictures or illustrations to break things up throughout.

Overall, it was an interesting read, and I learned a bit about myself and others in my life.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for anyone who has ADHD, loves someone with ADHD, parents someone with ADHD, or simply knows someone with ADHD. Actually, this book is just a must-read for anyone. RSD is a very real but very misunderstood aspect of ADHD and other neurotypical disorders, and learning how to manage it (or support those who struggle with it) can be life-changing or even life-saving.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy!

[donutqueenie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a lot of really helpful information. I think it was put together well and I learned a lot. I like the reframing question of “what do you mean by that?” and I’m going to start applying it to my life! This book would have been so valuable to have earlier in my life! I would recommend it for anyone that struggles with rejection harder than most people. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone with ADHD, I’ve found myself asking the titular question “why does everybody hate me?” so many times in my life. Learning about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria is an essential step in every ADHDers journey, given its huge prevalence in the community. This book does a great job at normalizing RSD and I think it will help a lot of people.

Thank you to Net Galley, Sheldon Press, and John Murray Press US for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex's book provides a great explainer for those not familiar with RSD (Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria) as well as for those who've never realized there's a name and explanation for the feelings many ADHD'ers struggle with (myself included). 

Thanks to NetGalley and John Murray Press US/Sheldon Press for the ARC edition of this book. 

[Ashley Hana · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 42%

It's funny that this book is targeted at ADHD, because this book basically does not get to the damn point. It sketches out loads and loads of hypothetical situations and barely gives any advice on how to actually cope. Some might find it nice to have that material, but it's just not for me.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I’d give this a 3/3.5 stars I think, as I had moments where I thought it was really good and I certainly found it relatable but at other points, it felt slightly repetitive.

Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for this honest review.

[victoria marie]

Not yet published • Expected 24 Mar 26

[Cindy Bokma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why Does Everybody Hate Me? by Alex Partridge was one of my most highly anticipated books of 2026. As someone recently diagnosed with ADHD, learning about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria felt like a lightbulb switching on. Suddenly, so much made sense, why I’m ultra-sensitive, why emotional pain can feel unbearable, and why I’ve often felt like I don’t quite fit in anywhere.

I discovered Alex’s fantastic podcast and have been learning more about ADHD and RSD ever since.

I loved every page of this book. It felt like sitting with a friend who truly understands you. I appreciate the time and care that went into writing it, and I honestly wish I could sit down with Alex and talk about it for a few hours.