Why Does Everybody Hate Me?: Living and Loving with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria

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, Audiobook, Psychology

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published 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!

[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

[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!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book — a complete 5-star read for me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this, because honestly, it has been incredibly validating. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been told I’m “too sensitive,” “too lazy,” or just “too much,” and I’ve carried that with me my entire life. Reading this book felt like someone had finally put my exact thoughts and feelings into words.

Every single page resonated deeply. The way it explains interactions with others, the constant overthinking, and that persistent feeling of “have I done something wrong?” hit so close to home. I’ve always found myself replaying conversations in my head or worrying that people secretly dislike me — even those closest to me. This book made me realise that these feelings aren’t just me being overly sensitive; they’re part of something real and valid.

The sections on rejection and people-pleasing especially stood out. Feeling left out, not knowing what to say in group situations, or taking things to heart when plans don’t include you — these are experiences I’ve always struggled with and blamed myself for. It was honestly such a relief to see them acknowledged and explained in a way that made sense.

More than anything, this book made me feel seen. It reassured me that I’m not “too much” — I’m just someone who experiences things deeply, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, overly sensitive, or like they’re constantly second-guessing themselves. It’s comforting, eye-opening, and incredibly validating.

[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.

[Dea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, but alas...

To reject a book written by someone who has rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) seems cruel, but I had so many bones to pick while reading this.

For me, a large part of the issue with this book was its genre classification and framing. I fully respect Alex Partridge telling his story of ADHD and RSD, but I genuinely wish it was framed as such; his story. Instead, this seems to have been written more as a book defining RSD as an informative guide to what RSD is and how to manage it, which felt overstated. I think if it were written as a memoir, this would have earned a 3 or 4-star rating from my perspective.

For one, there are sweeping generalizations stated as fact, and entirely without citations. Oof, this was a big issue for me. There are some general little factoids about the ADHD brain, but without citations, it's really difficult to contextualize them.

There are countless "you" statements that really should have been "I" statements. For example, "you prioritize the approval of others. In your desperation to avoid uncomfortable conversations, you end up damaging the relationships that matter to you. You put distance between you--" and so on and so forth. This is just one snippet, but defining someone else's experience, even if they have the same clinical diagnosis as the author, like this, should be avoided.

The author also states that people with RSD know they have it because "they identify with and accept it. [...] They know that the RSD concept is valid because it matches their lived experience exactly." This is a troublesome perspective to take in psychiatry, and providing an overview of diagnostic criteria would have been more useful here. OCD, for example, is another psychiatric disorder that has been damaged by people simply claiming that they have it because they were related to a snippet they heard about it.

Of note, the author was diagnosed with ADHD at 34 years old. I wish there were some acknowledgment made to the possibility that there are systematic differences in how ADHD manifests in those who are diagnosed as children versus adults. The “STOP” strategy was also brought up, but only the “S” and “T” steps were actually defined, which limits the usefulness. Maybe this was just an oversight?

Another big thing is the repetition throughout the book. I am not joking when I say the statement that children with ADHD hear 20,000 more negative comments in childhood was repeated 19 times in this short book. And by the way, that statement is not even from a paper or study, but rather just an observation from Dodson's clinical practice. "Burting into tears" was also stated 14 different times throughout. That's a lot of tears. There are many other repetitive statements and sentiments throughout, but these were the two that really ground my gears.

Part of my low rating was also the aversiveness I felt toward the arrogance in many sections. For example, “Even when I only gave 50% effort towards a task, it was better than most people’s 100%.” And “people with RSD are the world’s best problem-solvers” as well as being “the most empathetic.” I also wish that some of the advice was more focused on inwards work, such as improving one’s own emotion regulation, rather than the heavy reliance on expecting friends, family, and coworkers to create a list of compliments to have on hand to help soothe someone with RSD (this was a real a tip repeated through the book).

Does it get better? Yes. I am happy that I fought through the urge to DNF at 25% because it did slowly get better, and I enjoyed reading the examples from others with the disorder. A few of the author's analogies were really well stated, such as describing rejection as a slap on the back for a neurotypical individual, while for someone struggling with RSD, it's more like a slap on the back with a bad sunburn. There is also some good advice in here for just about any reader, such as learning to say "Can I let you know tomorrow?" instead of a knee-jerk "Yes" that ends up getting many of us into cycles of being over-committed to tasks that we don't actually want to be roped into. There was also the very helpful advice to know when to leave a situation before it escalates, and to understand that people are allowed to reject a part of you without rejecting you as a whole. I also appreciated that the book was organized into short, digestible sections.

I would like to state that, while I was initially very excited about this book, I quickly realized I was far from the target audience. I work in the field of clinical neuroscience and received my PhD studying neuromarkers of ADHD, so I'm coming at this from a scientific perspective rather than from lived experience with RSD. That said, I do think more caution should have been exercised in writing this book to avoid presenting lived experience as a fact about a clinical population.

Thank you, NetGalley and John Murray Press, for the opportunity to read an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Ro U]

I picked this up because the title alone felt a little too relatable, and honestly, parts of it really hit. There were moments where it put words to feelings I’ve struggled to explain - especially around rejection sensitivity - and that kind of validation is powerful. It made me feel a little less alone and a little more understood, which is always a win.

That said, I had kind of a mixed experience overall. A lot of the insights were helpful, but not necessarily new if you’ve already spent time reading about ADHD or RSD. I kept waiting for something that would feel like a real “aha” or give me a concrete way to handle things differently, and I’m not sure I fully got there.

Some of the advice also felt easier said than done. I understand there’s no magic fix (and the book doesn’t pretend there is), but I did wish for more practical, in-the-moment tools, especially for the spiral-y thoughts this kind of sensitivity can trigger.

Still, I’d absolutely recommend it to someone who’s just starting to understand their brain in this way, or even to partners/friends who want a better window into it. It’s a quick, validating read—even if it didn’t completely change the game for me.

Thanks John Murray Press and 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

[Nita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and John Murray Press for the eARC.

I started reading Why Does Everybody Hate Me? early in the year because I wanted to set the tone for 2026. I’ve known I have ADHD for a while, but it always felt a little different for me. Something about the way I react to things never quite lined up with the typical explanations.

This book helped connect those dots.

Learning about rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) resonated with me more than I expected. It explained a lot about why certain situations feel so intense and why the fear of rejection can show up even when nothing has actually happened.

Since reading it, I’ve noticed a real shift in how I approach things. I’m an educator, and while I still sometimes worry about how I’ll be received, I’m better at pushing through that feeling instead of shutting down. Recently I took a big leap toward a goal I’d been nervous about, convinced the answer would be no—but instead my bosses loved that I initiated the conversation and gave me a big yes.

This book gave me clarity around ADHD and RSD in a way that felt validating and practical. I can absolutely see myself returning to it whenever I need a reminder not to let the fear of rejection hold me back.

[Stacey Shepherd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read for anyone with ADHD or someone who simply wants to understand people with ADHD more.

I was aware of RSD knowing it to be an issue of mine, now I have the tools to help me going forward, to recognise what is real and what is RSD.

So much of this book resonated with me, to know there are many people feeling the same, takes a little bit of shame away.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real eye opener

[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.

[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

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's nice to see yourself being seen.

Did you know the average person with ADHD receives 20,000 criticisms by the time they are 12? 20,000 negative comments about who you are before you hit puberty. Can you imagine?

I can. I, like the author, was diagnosed with ADHD late in life at 26 years old. Since then I have been learning so many things about myself. Like I have RSD, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. Every tone change or facial expression in a conversation can be construed as a criticism that will debilitate me, often times making me lash out.

Does this sound familiar? Then this book is for you too!
It was great to be validated in my own thoughts and feelings. It was great to hear I am not broken or alone. It was great to hear what others with RSD do to help combat it on a daily basis so I can use those tools too.

I have followed Partridge's videos for about a year now and they always hit me so hard but not as hard as this book did. I cried many times and had to put the book down because it saw me so clearly.

My favorite line of the book, and the first to make me cry, "But RSD is wrong- everyone doesn't hate you. In face, the only person who hates you is you."
I just teared up again typing that.

Thank you Alex Partridge for writing this book. I think it is going to help so many people who have or love someone who has ADHD to live less painful lives.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of Why Does Everybody Hate Me?

[Maricruz Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

My gratitude to NetGalley and Hachette Mobius for this ARC.

In this accessible and conversational book, Alex Partridge explores Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), a form of emotional dysregulation that many people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) report experiencing.

Because RSD is not currently recognized as an official diagnosis in the DSM, research on the topic remains limited, and that gap becomes noticeable throughout the book. Partridge draws heavily on personal experiences and conversations with individuals who identify with RSD, which helps illustrate how deeply these feelings can affect people’s lives. However, I did find myself wishing for more input from clinicians or researchers to provide additional context and scientific grounding.

At times the discussion felt somewhat repetitive, and the insights presented were not always as in-depth as I had hoped. Still, the book succeeds in opening the door to a topic that many readers may not yet be familiar with.

Overall, I think this serves as a solid introductory read for anyone who is new to discussions about ADHD and rejection sensitivity. Increasing awareness is an important first step toward understanding neurodivergent experiences, and this book contributes to that conversation in an approachable way.

[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.

[Lisa Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars This book is about Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), which is a condition many people with ADHD have, but it is not an official DSM diagnosis and therefore we have a severe lack of research on the topic, even though it’s very real. This author is not a mental health professional - he’s a late-diagnosed ADHD’er with RSD who has a podcast called “ADHD Chatter”, and he’s talked to over 10,000 people with ADHD and RSD. So just know that this information is anecdotal BUT anecdotal is all we have until we invest in more research on this topic. (Also I’m afraid to critique a book by an author with RSD, but I am a book reviewer, sorry Alex!) I felt reading this like the author was describing pretty severe cases of RSD, and portraying it as maybe more common than it is…? But what do I know, I don’t have ADHD! As I said, more research needed! That said, Partridge gives many great examples where you can really see how this would play out at work & in relationships. He gives lots of useful ideas & tips for coping and lots of reassurance that you are not “too much”. I’m so happy this book is in the world - we need so much more on this topic, but for now if you are a therapist, please read this & provide this info to your ADHD clients. It could literally save a life.

[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.

[Emilee Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve had this book saved for months on my TBR when I found out about the release. I couldn’t wait to hear a personal perspective (especially from a Male’s pov) with RSD.

Overall the book is super informative. It is a good book for someone who has just learned, or is learning that they have RSD. It’s also a great book for loved ones of people with RSD. Especially for them to be informed of how RSD feels, and understand the “why” aspect to their reactions or coping.

The book was slightly repetitive and wish it had more strategies of preventing the blow ups or even just coping in the real world. Some of the tools or potential conversations were not very realistic- but maybe they just didn’t personally relate to me.
But the majority of the advice behind the behavior were more excuses, especially being childhood related. The repetition of examples and strategies were not very practical in real world situations. Granted it’s hard to explain and put into words how it feels to live with this disorder.

Overall a good read to help understand RSD- for you and others- with accurate descriptions.

[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!

[Jamie Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading this book, I have never heard about Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). This book explained why I feel such a visceral response when I perceive someone has rejected me and why I absolutely dread confrontation. The author validates your feelings, gives real examples of people experiencing RSD and tips and tricks to help you learn to cope with feelings associated with RSD.

The only negatives for me were that at times it was a bit redundant. As someone with ADHD, I wanted him to be a bit more concise at times. Also- food for thought- we should put people first in a diagnosis. For example change the language from ADHD person to a person with ADHD. We are so much more than our diagnosis.

Overall, would recommend this book to someone living with ADHD who has been told their too sensitive, feels they have be perfect, and takes rejection as a punch to the gut.

[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.