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Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply
Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 02:26:11
15 copies available
U.S. only
For anyone who has ever felt like they are too much, a groundbreaking guide to understanding emotional sensitivity. This program is read by the author.
Overly dramatic. Irrational. Too sensitive. These are some of the labels applied to those of us who are emotionally triggered by everyday moments. Whether it’s a delayed text message, a last-minute invite, or a subtle shift in tone, what begins as a flicker of uncertainty can spiral into self-doubt, shame, or withdrawal.
From the outside, these reactions may seem overblown. But what if emotional sensitivity is not a personality flaw but rather the result of a highly responsive and attuned nervous system? In Too Sensitive, Dr. Sasha Hamdani—known to her online following as @thepsychdoctormd—offers an accessible explanation of emotional sensitivity as well as practical guidance for how to manage it. For many people, especially those with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence, emotional sensitivity may be recognized as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). Feelings of being excluded, overlooked, or dismissed are not all in our heads—they are based in our biology. In her groundbreaking book, Dr. Hamdani introduces the first assessment tool to discern where you fall on the emotional sensitivity spectrum and offers practical tools to restore calm to the nervous system.
Drawing from psychiatry, neuroscience, and the gentle compassion of lived experience, Dr. Hamdani shares research-informed strategies to regulate emotional surges, interrupt spirals, and build self-worth and resilience in relationships and at work. Most importantly, Too Sensitive reframes sensitivity not as fragility but as a powerful form of emotional awareness that can be understood and transformed into strength.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books
Overly dramatic. Irrational. Too sensitive. These are some of the labels applied to those of us who are emotionally triggered by everyday moments. Whether it’s a delayed text message, a last-minute invite, or a subtle shift in tone, what begins as a flicker of uncertainty can spiral into self-doubt, shame, or withdrawal.
From the outside, these reactions may seem overblown. But what if emotional sensitivity is not a personality flaw but rather the result of a highly responsive and attuned nervous system? In Too Sensitive, Dr. Sasha Hamdani—known to her online following as @thepsychdoctormd—offers an accessible explanation of emotional sensitivity as well as practical guidance for how to manage it. For many people, especially those with ADHD and other forms of neurodivergence, emotional sensitivity may be recognized as Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). Feelings of being excluded, overlooked, or dismissed are not all in our heads—they are based in our biology. In her groundbreaking book, Dr. Hamdani introduces the first assessment tool to discern where you fall on the emotional sensitivity spectrum and offers practical tools to restore calm to the nervous system.
Drawing from psychiatry, neuroscience, and the gentle compassion of lived experience, Dr. Hamdani shares research-informed strategies to regulate emotional surges, interrupt spirals, and build self-worth and resilience in relationships and at work. Most importantly, Too Sensitive reframes sensitivity not as fragility but as a powerful form of emotional awareness that can be understood and transformed into strength.
A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books
Audible Audio
Published August 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 27, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for advance access to this audiobook! Dr. Hamdani is an excellent narrator and I really enjoyed listening to her read her work.
Balanced between memoir, exposition, and explanation, Too Sensitive is one of the best self-help books I’ve read; and I’m trained in mental health care! Even if you don’t contend with Rejection-Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), this book is accessible and applicable to anyone who feels slighted at the first hint of rejection in professional or personal realms. Dr. Hamdani provides feasible tools to help readers manage when they feel rejected, giving consistent reminders that changes don’t happen overnight and even if you feel you’ve practiced enough… keep at it. Rewiring one’s nervous system takes time and regular effort, and she gently reminds us that becoming “healed” is a journey, not a destination.
Balanced between memoir, exposition, and explanation, Too Sensitive is one of the best self-help books I’ve read; and I’m trained in mental health care! Even if you don’t contend with Rejection-Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), this book is accessible and applicable to anyone who feels slighted at the first hint of rejection in professional or personal realms. Dr. Hamdani provides feasible tools to help readers manage when they feel rejected, giving consistent reminders that changes don’t happen overnight and even if you feel you’ve practiced enough… keep at it. Rewiring one’s nervous system takes time and regular effort, and she gently reminds us that becoming “healed” is a journey, not a destination.
August 25, 2026
Good lord did I ever relate to this book! I’ve carried that “too sensitive” label all my life, so to learn about Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) was very eye opening and validating. I listened to the audio for this one, which I thought worked really well, but I want to pick up the physical copy so I can easily reference back to the tools shared! Definitely recommend this one, especially if you’ve carried that “too sensitive” label too! 👏
Thank you partner Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Thank you partner Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
August 8, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
August 25, 2026
As a huge fan of Dr. Hamdani’s Instagram page, I recommend her content to all of my ADHD and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) clients. Naturally, I was thrilled to read her new book, Too Sensitive.
The phrase "you're too sensitive" is something so many of my clients hear. It gets weaponized against people until it becomes part of their core self-concept. Having been a therapist for over 20 years, I realized around the start of the pandemic that much of my knowledge on adult ADHD was outdated. While administering the ASRS assessment to a client, I actually scored higher than they did.
Lightbulbs went off. I reflected on a lifetime of challenges, dove into research on how ADHD presents in women, and eventually received my own evaluation and diagnosis. What I had previously misattributed to anxiety, depression, and mood instability were actually part of the ADHD package. I wasn’t lazy—I was experiencing dopamine burnout. My emotional explosions were RSD. My perfectionism and extreme task-procrastination were just me grasping for dopamine. Receiving a diagnosis and understanding the neurochemistry behind my behavior was deeply validating. Seeing Dr. Hamdani speak so openly and vulnerability on social media helped both me and my clients feel truly seen.
This book is an absolute game-changer. Dr. Hamdani explains the neurochemistry that reinforces ADHD behaviors in a clear, accessible way. For readers familiar with Gabor Maté’s work on trauma and ADHD, this book succinctly lays out the underlying science. It shifts the narrative away from perceived "character flaws" toward understanding a system operating in a deficit. Once you know what you’re working with, you can actually tackle it.
Her CALM YOUR MIND framework is fantastic. Synthesizing tools from third-wave behavioral therapies and IPT, she gives readers an actionable toolkit paired with real-world applications. Beyond coping skills, she offers deep reflective questions to help readers gain insight into their behavior, history, and growth.
I will undoubtedly be recommending this book to my clients. The work outlined here will help people extend grace to themselves, improve emotional regulation, and ultimately transform their relationships. Thanks to Net Galley and Flatiron Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The phrase "you're too sensitive" is something so many of my clients hear. It gets weaponized against people until it becomes part of their core self-concept. Having been a therapist for over 20 years, I realized around the start of the pandemic that much of my knowledge on adult ADHD was outdated. While administering the ASRS assessment to a client, I actually scored higher than they did.
Lightbulbs went off. I reflected on a lifetime of challenges, dove into research on how ADHD presents in women, and eventually received my own evaluation and diagnosis. What I had previously misattributed to anxiety, depression, and mood instability were actually part of the ADHD package. I wasn’t lazy—I was experiencing dopamine burnout. My emotional explosions were RSD. My perfectionism and extreme task-procrastination were just me grasping for dopamine. Receiving a diagnosis and understanding the neurochemistry behind my behavior was deeply validating. Seeing Dr. Hamdani speak so openly and vulnerability on social media helped both me and my clients feel truly seen.
This book is an absolute game-changer. Dr. Hamdani explains the neurochemistry that reinforces ADHD behaviors in a clear, accessible way. For readers familiar with Gabor Maté’s work on trauma and ADHD, this book succinctly lays out the underlying science. It shifts the narrative away from perceived "character flaws" toward understanding a system operating in a deficit. Once you know what you’re working with, you can actually tackle it.
Her CALM YOUR MIND framework is fantastic. Synthesizing tools from third-wave behavioral therapies and IPT, she gives readers an actionable toolkit paired with real-world applications. Beyond coping skills, she offers deep reflective questions to help readers gain insight into their behavior, history, and growth.
I will undoubtedly be recommending this book to my clients. The work outlined here will help people extend grace to themselves, improve emotional regulation, and ultimately transform their relationships. Thanks to Net Galley and Flatiron Books for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rating: 3 ⭐
Dr. Sasha Hamdani is a board-certified psychiatrist, which gives Too Sensitive more authority than most ADHD-adjacent self-help books. She cites studies, brings in other people’s work, and uses patient examples without turning the whole book into a memoir. After reading weaker ADHD books that make big claims with little support, this had more legitimacy from the start.
The first four chapters are the best part of the book. Hamdani explains RSD through ADHD, dopamine regulation, norepinephrine sensitivity, the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, the limbic system, nervous-system reactivity, and hormones. They make the case that emotional sensitivity is biological, not a character flaw.
The hormone chapter adds the discussion of estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, testosterone, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. It connects emotional sensitivity to body chemistry instead of vague self-compassion language. Chapter 4 also helps because it explains what RSD can look and feel like from the inside. The explanation could help people with RSD name the pattern, and help people around them understand why a delayed text, a flat tone, silence, or a small criticism can hit so hard. The 25-question self-assessment is more useful than most of the later tools because it helps identify the pattern before the book starts handing out coping skills.
Examples from the assessment:
• Do you frequently feel hurt by perceived slights or rejections from people closest to you?
• Do you find that you often take longer to recover from feelings of rejection than you think is typical?
• Do you struggle to set boundaries because you fear it might upset or alienate others?
Part Two is where the book drifts from what is going on with RSD to general therapy theory. The description promises research-informed strategies to regulate emotional surges, interrupt spirals, build self-worth, and manage relationships and work. The tools mostly come from CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness, grounding, I-statements, boundaries, movement, delayed reaction, and thought-challenging. Although the tools are legitimate, they were developed for neurotypicals and assume a level of real-time self-awareness and emotional regulation that many ADHD readers may not have access to while activated. These tools also appear in every book about anxiety, emotional regulation, or self-help. The tools should reflect the realities of an ADHD brain that fires off an emotional reaction in milliseconds and can't necessarily identify the emotion or body response in real time.
Chapter 5 is presented as a toolkit, but it functions as a therapy-skills chapter. Challenge negative thoughts. Accept the present moment. Label your emotions. Manage with mindfulness. Reframe. Move your body. Use I-statements. Delay reaction. Every tool runs into the same problem: it requires real-time self-awareness. The book describes RSD as fast, physical, automatic, and tied to ADHD and emotional dysregulation. Then it tells readers to pause, identify the thought, name the feeling, challenge the belief, breathe, ground themselves, and choose a measured response. You can't have it both ways. You can't just tell people, "now, change."
The book says emotional dysregulation is one of the most profound and impairing symptoms many people with ADHD experience. That makes the practical chapters more frustrating, because the advice assumes the reader can access the specific regulation skills the book says may be impaired or overwhelmed. The issue is being able to pause while activated. If someone could calmly notice, name, challenge, reframe, and delay every reaction, emotional dysregulation would not be a problem.
The relationship, friendship, family, and career chapters use relevant RSD-triggering scenarios: mixed signals, silence between texts, reassurance-seeking, canceled plans, feeling overlooked, family dismissal, breakup panic, and imposter syndrome. The answers to managing these problems always circle back to the same tools: pause, breathe, ground yourself, name the feeling, use an I-statement, move your body, delay the reaction. The scenarios are specific. The interventions are generic.
The “nearly 100% of people with ADHD have some component of RSD” claim also needs more precision. RSD is not a formal DSM diagnosis, so it's not a standardized construct. Rejection sensitivity and emotional dysregulation are common ways ADHD can affect people's lives. But emotional dysregulation being central to ADHD doesn't prove the claim that nearly everyone with ADHD has RSD. The author addressed this topic on her social media account, so it may be edited in the final draft.
The medication discussion appears in the reference section rather than in a dedicated chapter. That placement choice is a little unexpected for a psychiatrist-authored book that spends Part Two promising practical help. Hamdani says there are no medications designed specifically for RSD, but clinicians may treat overlapping ADHD, emotional dysregulation, stress reactivity, anxiety, depression, or mood instability. She also says medication can help “take the edge off” when grounding, reframing, and self-compassion are not enough and the emotional spiral takes over. That point could have been a chapter, particularly since RSD can interact with anxiety, depression and other mental health co-morbidities.
Too Sensitive is an excellent book to explain RSD through science, but it's weaker as a practical guide. The first four chapters are strong enough to make the book worth reading, especially for understanding RSD, emotional sensitivity, ADHD biology, and the role hormones can play. The rest turns into a repetitive therapy workbook that doesn't match the intensity of the problem the book just described. The science gets specific. The intervention remains generic.
Dr. Sasha Hamdani is a board-certified psychiatrist, which gives Too Sensitive more authority than most ADHD-adjacent self-help books. She cites studies, brings in other people’s work, and uses patient examples without turning the whole book into a memoir. After reading weaker ADHD books that make big claims with little support, this had more legitimacy from the start.
The first four chapters are the best part of the book. Hamdani explains RSD through ADHD, dopamine regulation, norepinephrine sensitivity, the amygdala, the prefrontal cortex, the limbic system, nervous-system reactivity, and hormones. They make the case that emotional sensitivity is biological, not a character flaw.
The hormone chapter adds the discussion of estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, testosterone, menstrual cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. It connects emotional sensitivity to body chemistry instead of vague self-compassion language. Chapter 4 also helps because it explains what RSD can look and feel like from the inside. The explanation could help people with RSD name the pattern, and help people around them understand why a delayed text, a flat tone, silence, or a small criticism can hit so hard. The 25-question self-assessment is more useful than most of the later tools because it helps identify the pattern before the book starts handing out coping skills.
Examples from the assessment:
• Do you frequently feel hurt by perceived slights or rejections from people closest to you?
• Do you find that you often take longer to recover from feelings of rejection than you think is typical?
• Do you struggle to set boundaries because you fear it might upset or alienate others?
Part Two is where the book drifts from what is going on with RSD to general therapy theory. The description promises research-informed strategies to regulate emotional surges, interrupt spirals, build self-worth, and manage relationships and work. The tools mostly come from CBT, DBT, ACT, mindfulness, grounding, I-statements, boundaries, movement, delayed reaction, and thought-challenging. Although the tools are legitimate, they were developed for neurotypicals and assume a level of real-time self-awareness and emotional regulation that many ADHD readers may not have access to while activated. These tools also appear in every book about anxiety, emotional regulation, or self-help. The tools should reflect the realities of an ADHD brain that fires off an emotional reaction in milliseconds and can't necessarily identify the emotion or body response in real time.
Chapter 5 is presented as a toolkit, but it functions as a therapy-skills chapter. Challenge negative thoughts. Accept the present moment. Label your emotions. Manage with mindfulness. Reframe. Move your body. Use I-statements. Delay reaction. Every tool runs into the same problem: it requires real-time self-awareness. The book describes RSD as fast, physical, automatic, and tied to ADHD and emotional dysregulation. Then it tells readers to pause, identify the thought, name the feeling, challenge the belief, breathe, ground themselves, and choose a measured response. You can't have it both ways. You can't just tell people, "now, change."
The book says emotional dysregulation is one of the most profound and impairing symptoms many people with ADHD experience. That makes the practical chapters more frustrating, because the advice assumes the reader can access the specific regulation skills the book says may be impaired or overwhelmed. The issue is being able to pause while activated. If someone could calmly notice, name, challenge, reframe, and delay every reaction, emotional dysregulation would not be a problem.
The relationship, friendship, family, and career chapters use relevant RSD-triggering scenarios: mixed signals, silence between texts, reassurance-seeking, canceled plans, feeling overlooked, family dismissal, breakup panic, and imposter syndrome. The answers to managing these problems always circle back to the same tools: pause, breathe, ground yourself, name the feeling, use an I-statement, move your body, delay the reaction. The scenarios are specific. The interventions are generic.
The “nearly 100% of people with ADHD have some component of RSD” claim also needs more precision. RSD is not a formal DSM diagnosis, so it's not a standardized construct. Rejection sensitivity and emotional dysregulation are common ways ADHD can affect people's lives. But emotional dysregulation being central to ADHD doesn't prove the claim that nearly everyone with ADHD has RSD. The author addressed this topic on her social media account, so it may be edited in the final draft.
The medication discussion appears in the reference section rather than in a dedicated chapter. That placement choice is a little unexpected for a psychiatrist-authored book that spends Part Two promising practical help. Hamdani says there are no medications designed specifically for RSD, but clinicians may treat overlapping ADHD, emotional dysregulation, stress reactivity, anxiety, depression, or mood instability. She also says medication can help “take the edge off” when grounding, reframing, and self-compassion are not enough and the emotional spiral takes over. That point could have been a chapter, particularly since RSD can interact with anxiety, depression and other mental health co-morbidities.
Too Sensitive is an excellent book to explain RSD through science, but it's weaker as a practical guide. The first four chapters are strong enough to make the book worth reading, especially for understanding RSD, emotional sensitivity, ADHD biology, and the role hormones can play. The rest turns into a repetitive therapy workbook that doesn't match the intensity of the problem the book just described. The science gets specific. The intervention remains generic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC from NetGalley
Book Publishing August 25, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy of “Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply” in exchange for my honest review.
Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a board-certified psychiatrist, explains and explores coping strategies to help navigate Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). RSD isn’t an officially recognized diagnosis in the DSM-5, but it has some more specific and distinguishing features that set it apart from other mental health diagnoses, such as ADHD and anxiety.
I thought this book was really interesting. I appreciated how the first few chapters were dedicated to defining and explaining the science behind RSD. Before discussing ways to cope with RSD, Dr. Hamdani included a questionnaire for people to screen themselves. The questionnaire was particularly helpful because I was on the fence about how well I could relate to this condition until I took the time to answer the questions and realized this book was for me.
After the scientific explanations and the questionnaire, the rest of the book focused on how RSD can affect all aspects of social life (friends, family, work, etc.) and on how to cope with it when it arises in specific situations. I liked how the scenarios came from real people, many of whom I could relate to. I liked the question-and-answer format for this section of the book, but I wished she had included some more in-depth stories as examples of situations and treatments. I also thought the mentions of the 5-4-3-2-1 method were a little repetitive.
I appreciated that the author included her own experiences, and I particularly enjoyed the letter she wrote to herself years ago as a struggling psychiatry resident at the end of the book.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was well done. I may have to purchase the print copy of this book for future reference.
Overall, this was an interesting and helpful book for anyone who struggles with being “too sensitive.”
Book Publishing August 25, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance listening copy of “Too Sensitive: Rejection, Resilience, and the Science of Feeling Deeply” in exchange for my honest review.
Dr. Sasha Hamdani, a board-certified psychiatrist, explains and explores coping strategies to help navigate Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). RSD isn’t an officially recognized diagnosis in the DSM-5, but it has some more specific and distinguishing features that set it apart from other mental health diagnoses, such as ADHD and anxiety.
I thought this book was really interesting. I appreciated how the first few chapters were dedicated to defining and explaining the science behind RSD. Before discussing ways to cope with RSD, Dr. Hamdani included a questionnaire for people to screen themselves. The questionnaire was particularly helpful because I was on the fence about how well I could relate to this condition until I took the time to answer the questions and realized this book was for me.
After the scientific explanations and the questionnaire, the rest of the book focused on how RSD can affect all aspects of social life (friends, family, work, etc.) and on how to cope with it when it arises in specific situations. I liked how the scenarios came from real people, many of whom I could relate to. I liked the question-and-answer format for this section of the book, but I wished she had included some more in-depth stories as examples of situations and treatments. I also thought the mentions of the 5-4-3-2-1 method were a little repetitive.
I appreciated that the author included her own experiences, and I particularly enjoyed the letter she wrote to herself years ago as a struggling psychiatry resident at the end of the book.
I listened to the audiobook, and it was well done. I may have to purchase the print copy of this book for future reference.
Overall, this was an interesting and helpful book for anyone who struggles with being “too sensitive.”
August 18, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the Advanced Listener's Copy! This review is voluntary and my honest opinion ♡
As someone who is VERY used to people calling me too sensitive, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone describing me to a T like this book has. It's opened my understanding of myself up a lot and I think it's going to be significant in my healing and allowing myself more grace. RSD is literally not something I've ever heard of and Sasha Hamdani explains that it isn't something talked about often and is pretty newly being researched. I am excited to have learned this new topic and how much I gained from this book. I will be doing more research into it and speaking to my health care providers about it as well.
This book is all about what it means to be 'too sensitive,' diving into the science behind it and why we react the way we do. It gives great advice for many different situations to help navigate your response as well as accepting your emotions but reframing what you THINK the narrative is behind things to help regulate your nervous system. Honestly, this book was so helpful and I will be revisiting it often.
The narrator had an even and soothing tone throughout. I will say whether from her voice or the text itself, the book felt a bit clinical at times that felt less about connecting to the audience and more like a classroom lecture. Both when it felt like a lecture AND when it came across more empathetic and deeply connecting felt necessary to really get these messages ingrained with me.
I only had the audiobook for this one but once it's out I will be getting myself a physical copy because I think this is very important for me. The only reason this is a 4 ⭐️ for me and not a 5 is that it is a bit repetitive. She works through many different situations with the same set of advices which is helpful to navigate for future reference BUT a bit overdone when reading the book from start to finish. I still loved it and would absolutely recommend it!
As someone who is VERY used to people calling me too sensitive, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone describing me to a T like this book has. It's opened my understanding of myself up a lot and I think it's going to be significant in my healing and allowing myself more grace. RSD is literally not something I've ever heard of and Sasha Hamdani explains that it isn't something talked about often and is pretty newly being researched. I am excited to have learned this new topic and how much I gained from this book. I will be doing more research into it and speaking to my health care providers about it as well.
This book is all about what it means to be 'too sensitive,' diving into the science behind it and why we react the way we do. It gives great advice for many different situations to help navigate your response as well as accepting your emotions but reframing what you THINK the narrative is behind things to help regulate your nervous system. Honestly, this book was so helpful and I will be revisiting it often.
The narrator had an even and soothing tone throughout. I will say whether from her voice or the text itself, the book felt a bit clinical at times that felt less about connecting to the audience and more like a classroom lecture. Both when it felt like a lecture AND when it came across more empathetic and deeply connecting felt necessary to really get these messages ingrained with me.
I only had the audiobook for this one but once it's out I will be getting myself a physical copy because I think this is very important for me. The only reason this is a 4 ⭐️ for me and not a 5 is that it is a bit repetitive. She works through many different situations with the same set of advices which is helpful to navigate for future reference BUT a bit overdone when reading the book from start to finish. I still loved it and would absolutely recommend it!
August 24, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Too Sensitive by Sasha Hamdani, MD
I wasn’t quite sure what Too Sensitive was going to be about when I started the audiobook, but I knew from Instagram that Dr. Sasha Hamdani is an expert in ADHD. I quickly realized that this book was going to put a name to something I have experienced but never really knew how to describe.
Dr. Hamdani explains Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), which is commonly associated with ADHD, and how it can cause extremely quick and intense emotional reactions to either real or perceived rejection. She provides detailed, relatable examples of the many ways RSD can show up, particularly for women with ADHD, and even has you take a quick quiz to assess your level of rejection sensitivity.
Wow. I scored a 99 out of 100—with 100 being the highest possible score. And that definitely isn’t necessarily an A+, but not the worst thing ever and your score can fluctuate at different times.
What I appreciated most is that this book doesn’t just explain why these reactions happen. Dr. Hamdani also walks through practical tools and strategies for recognizing those reactions and learning how to calm and manage them. The information is approachable, compassionate, and incredibly validating.
If you have ever been told that you “take everything too personally” or that “you’re reading into things that aren’t there,” you may want to pick up a copy of this book. It might help you understand yourself—or someone you love—in a completely different way.
I am so grateful that I was provided the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion. In fact, I was so impacted by it that I have already pre-ordered the hardcover to keep as a reference.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Dr. Hamdani, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to hear something that made me feel seen in ways I never knew how to articulate—and, perhaps most importantly, helped me realize I’m not the only one.
And the narration? Top shelf. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I wasn’t quite sure what Too Sensitive was going to be about when I started the audiobook, but I knew from Instagram that Dr. Sasha Hamdani is an expert in ADHD. I quickly realized that this book was going to put a name to something I have experienced but never really knew how to describe.
Dr. Hamdani explains Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), which is commonly associated with ADHD, and how it can cause extremely quick and intense emotional reactions to either real or perceived rejection. She provides detailed, relatable examples of the many ways RSD can show up, particularly for women with ADHD, and even has you take a quick quiz to assess your level of rejection sensitivity.
Wow. I scored a 99 out of 100—with 100 being the highest possible score. And that definitely isn’t necessarily an A+, but not the worst thing ever and your score can fluctuate at different times.
What I appreciated most is that this book doesn’t just explain why these reactions happen. Dr. Hamdani also walks through practical tools and strategies for recognizing those reactions and learning how to calm and manage them. The information is approachable, compassionate, and incredibly validating.
If you have ever been told that you “take everything too personally” or that “you’re reading into things that aren’t there,” you may want to pick up a copy of this book. It might help you understand yourself—or someone you love—in a completely different way.
I am so grateful that I was provided the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion. In fact, I was so impacted by it that I have already pre-ordered the hardcover to keep as a reference.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Dr. Hamdani, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to hear something that made me feel seen in ways I never knew how to articulate—and, perhaps most importantly, helped me realize I’m not the only one.
And the narration? Top shelf. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Too Sensitive is an informative and compassionate introduction to Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD), with the goal of helping readers move, as the author puts it, from "sensitive to strong." As both a psychiatrist and someone who personally experiences RSD, the author brings a level of credibility and empathy that made the book feel authentic and reassuring.
One of the book's strengths is its explanation of RSD as more than simply being "too sensitive." The author explores it as a difference in the nervous system while also acknowledging the roles of environment, culture, personal experiences, and society. I appreciated learning about the biology behind RSD, particularly the discussions of dopamine regulation and signaling. The comparisons between RSD, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder were also fascinating and helped clarify where these conditions overlap and where they differ.
The book is filled with practical strategies for people who experience RSD themselves. I think it could be a genuinely helpful resource for readers looking to better understand and manage the condition.
My one lingering wish was that the book had spent more time discussing how friends, family members, coworkers, or partners can effectively support someone with RSD. I found myself waiting for advice on navigating those relationships, since witnessing an intense rejection-sensitive response can be confusing if you don't understand what's happening.
My biggest criticism is that the book became somewhat repetitive at times, revisiting many of the same ideas throughout. Even so, the abundance of practical tips and the author's compassionate approach make it a worthwhile read for anyone who thinks they may have RSD or wants to better understand it.
This book was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
One of the book's strengths is its explanation of RSD as more than simply being "too sensitive." The author explores it as a difference in the nervous system while also acknowledging the roles of environment, culture, personal experiences, and society. I appreciated learning about the biology behind RSD, particularly the discussions of dopamine regulation and signaling. The comparisons between RSD, ADHD, and borderline personality disorder were also fascinating and helped clarify where these conditions overlap and where they differ.
The book is filled with practical strategies for people who experience RSD themselves. I think it could be a genuinely helpful resource for readers looking to better understand and manage the condition.
My one lingering wish was that the book had spent more time discussing how friends, family members, coworkers, or partners can effectively support someone with RSD. I found myself waiting for advice on navigating those relationships, since witnessing an intense rejection-sensitive response can be confusing if you don't understand what's happening.
My biggest criticism is that the book became somewhat repetitive at times, revisiting many of the same ideas throughout. Even so, the abundance of practical tips and the author's compassionate approach make it a worthwhile read for anyone who thinks they may have RSD or wants to better understand it.
This book was provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love an audiobook read by the author! This book is about emotional sensitivity and Rejection Sensitivity Disorder. Being sensitive isn’t a personality flaw. It usually means you care and that your body is having a biological reaction (& highly responsive to what’s going on around you). In this book, there is a test to see where you fall on the emotional sensitivity spectrum and tools to help you learn how to calm your nervous system in times of distress. We also learn how we can regulate our emotional reactions and how to build confidence in ourselves. Emotional sensitivity doesn’t mean you’re weak, it means you are emotionally aware, and this can be built into a strength.
I enjoyed how we learn about the science behind our emotions and reactions—how a lot of it stems from past traumas, but we can learn how to regulate better. Dr. Hamdani uses real life examples from real people and her own person life and also offers tools (including breathwork & other mindfulness techniques) to help change the results next time a dysregulation happens. She gives us specific tools and questions to ask ourselves when needed. I will be journaling and using some of her steps: 1. What actually happened/state the facts 2. Name the emotion and notice how you’re feeling in your body 3. What else could actually be true (as in why someone said what they said that in turn made you react so intensely). All around, this was a great useful book. I listed to the audiobook and would also appreciate having the hardcopy book to reference back to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review
I enjoyed how we learn about the science behind our emotions and reactions—how a lot of it stems from past traumas, but we can learn how to regulate better. Dr. Hamdani uses real life examples from real people and her own person life and also offers tools (including breathwork & other mindfulness techniques) to help change the results next time a dysregulation happens. She gives us specific tools and questions to ask ourselves when needed. I will be journaling and using some of her steps: 1. What actually happened/state the facts 2. Name the emotion and notice how you’re feeling in your body 3. What else could actually be true (as in why someone said what they said that in turn made you react so intensely). All around, this was a great useful book. I listed to the audiobook and would also appreciate having the hardcopy book to reference back to.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Too Sensitive is an informative and compassionate look at rejection sensitivity and Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD). I really appreciated how Dr. Hamdani blends research and science with personal experiences, real-life examples, and practical strategies throughout the book.
I found the earlier sections especially interesting, where she explains what RSD actually is to readers/listeners (and what it isn’t), including some of the science behind rejection sensitivity and the nervous system. She also discusses how RSD can overlap with or differ from things like ADHD, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. I appreciated that she makes it clear that RSD is not currently a formal diagnosis in the DSM rather than presenting it as something more established than it is.
The book then looks at how rejection sensitivity can affect so many different parts of someone’s life, including friendships, romantic relationships, family, and work. I liked the mix of explanations, examples, personal experiences, and practical tools because it kept the book from feeling too much like a textbook or clinical guide. I also think this book could work for a pretty wide audience. There’s enough discussion of research, psychology, and clinical concepts that I think it would be interesting for people within the mental health/clinical space, but it’s also written in a way that is very accessible to anyone simply wanting to learn more. You don’t need a mental health background to understand it. I think it could be especially helpful for someone who experiences rejection sensitivity themselves, but also for anyone wanting to better understand why someone might react so strongly to perceived rejection or criticism.
I did find some of the concepts and strategies a little repetitive as the book went on, and I would have liked more discussion about the other side of these relationships—how partners, friends, family members, or coworkers can understand and support someone experiencing RSD. But overall, I appreciated that the book never presents any of these strategies as a quick fix. There’s an emphasis on practicing these skills over time and on understanding that changing how we respond to rejection takes work.
I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Dr. Hamdani herself, and I thought audio was a great format for this one. Her narration felt very natural and conversational, and I especially liked hearing her discuss her own experiences in her own voice.
This was an interesting and accessible mix of science, personal experience, real-life examples, and practical guidance. I think it’s a helpful introduction to a topic that many people may experience without necessarily having the language to describe it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review!
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Bookstagram
I found the earlier sections especially interesting, where she explains what RSD actually is to readers/listeners (and what it isn’t), including some of the science behind rejection sensitivity and the nervous system. She also discusses how RSD can overlap with or differ from things like ADHD, anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. I appreciated that she makes it clear that RSD is not currently a formal diagnosis in the DSM rather than presenting it as something more established than it is.
The book then looks at how rejection sensitivity can affect so many different parts of someone’s life, including friendships, romantic relationships, family, and work. I liked the mix of explanations, examples, personal experiences, and practical tools because it kept the book from feeling too much like a textbook or clinical guide. I also think this book could work for a pretty wide audience. There’s enough discussion of research, psychology, and clinical concepts that I think it would be interesting for people within the mental health/clinical space, but it’s also written in a way that is very accessible to anyone simply wanting to learn more. You don’t need a mental health background to understand it. I think it could be especially helpful for someone who experiences rejection sensitivity themselves, but also for anyone wanting to better understand why someone might react so strongly to perceived rejection or criticism.
I did find some of the concepts and strategies a little repetitive as the book went on, and I would have liked more discussion about the other side of these relationships—how partners, friends, family members, or coworkers can understand and support someone experiencing RSD. But overall, I appreciated that the book never presents any of these strategies as a quick fix. There’s an emphasis on practicing these skills over time and on understanding that changing how we respond to rejection takes work.
I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Dr. Hamdani herself, and I thought audio was a great format for this one. Her narration felt very natural and conversational, and I especially liked hearing her discuss her own experiences in her own voice.
This was an interesting and accessible mix of science, personal experience, real-life examples, and practical guidance. I think it’s a helpful introduction to a topic that many people may experience without necessarily having the language to describe it.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review!
__________________________________
Bookstagram
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Apparently, I have never had a unique experience in my entire life.
If you've been described since childhood as "sensitive" and are always panicking on the inside even when on the outside you look like you got it all together...this book is for you. Expanding on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), the author does a deep dive on why things that don't seem to bother others gets under your skin.
I found the neuroscience on why your body reacts so viscerally when facing uncertainty and (perceived) rejection fascinating. Like, I knew I wasn't being chased by a lion, but my body didn't seem to get the message. This explanation was followed by real live examples, broken down by category (friends, family, work) and ways to retrain your body to not be so overwhelmed all the time by all the negative emotions associated with feelings of rejection.
Whether or not this will stick in the moment is another matter, but sometimes naming the dragon allows you to tame it, and realizing what's happing and why can take away the feelings of helplessness in the moment.
The author narrated the book herself and did a wonderful job.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the review copy.
If you've been described since childhood as "sensitive" and are always panicking on the inside even when on the outside you look like you got it all together...this book is for you. Expanding on Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD), the author does a deep dive on why things that don't seem to bother others gets under your skin.
I found the neuroscience on why your body reacts so viscerally when facing uncertainty and (perceived) rejection fascinating. Like, I knew I wasn't being chased by a lion, but my body didn't seem to get the message. This explanation was followed by real live examples, broken down by category (friends, family, work) and ways to retrain your body to not be so overwhelmed all the time by all the negative emotions associated with feelings of rejection.
Whether or not this will stick in the moment is another matter, but sometimes naming the dragon allows you to tame it, and realizing what's happing and why can take away the feelings of helplessness in the moment.
The author narrated the book herself and did a wonderful job.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*This is a review of the ebook & audiobook. A special thank you to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the ARC/ALC. All opinions are my own.*
Too Sensitive by Dr. Sasha Hamdani provides a wonderfully clear and approachable look at Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) - what it is, why it happens, and how to manage and harness it. There are many things I appreciated about this book, most notably the validation that RSD is not just having big feelings, but a biological response. It's our brains and nervous systems trying to protect us, and something we can work with. I also found the questionnaire, and the section on RSD and our hormones really helpful.
I love that Dr. Hamdani reads the audiobook; her voice is clear, and her sincerity and compassion shine through. It also makes the real-life examples, and her personal experiences and anecdotes more impactful.
Overall, I loved the book and audiobook. The information is insightful and validating, and the coping strategies are accessible and actionable. I've already recommend the book to several friends and family members, and I genuinely hope they give it a chance. If audiobooks are your thing (as they are mine), I highly recommend the audiobook version. If audiobooks are not your thing, the text version is also excellent.
This is a great book for anyone who:
*Has, or thinks they may have, RSD
*Struggles with being "too sensitive"
*Considers themself a "highly sensitive person"
*Wants to understand the more sensitive people in their lives
*Wants to learn more about RSD
Too Sensitive by Dr. Sasha Hamdani provides a wonderfully clear and approachable look at Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) - what it is, why it happens, and how to manage and harness it. There are many things I appreciated about this book, most notably the validation that RSD is not just having big feelings, but a biological response. It's our brains and nervous systems trying to protect us, and something we can work with. I also found the questionnaire, and the section on RSD and our hormones really helpful.
I love that Dr. Hamdani reads the audiobook; her voice is clear, and her sincerity and compassion shine through. It also makes the real-life examples, and her personal experiences and anecdotes more impactful.
Overall, I loved the book and audiobook. The information is insightful and validating, and the coping strategies are accessible and actionable. I've already recommend the book to several friends and family members, and I genuinely hope they give it a chance. If audiobooks are your thing (as they are mine), I highly recommend the audiobook version. If audiobooks are not your thing, the text version is also excellent.
This is a great book for anyone who:
*Has, or thinks they may have, RSD
*Struggles with being "too sensitive"
*Considers themself a "highly sensitive person"
*Wants to understand the more sensitive people in their lives
*Wants to learn more about RSD
August 26, 2026
This is a practical guide for anyone who is extra sensitive in social interactions and anyone who is trying to understand rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD).
I read this as a mom, as a therapist, and as someone who has been described as sensitive, although I don’t have an RSD diagnosis. On each of those levels, this book was great. The author shares her own life experiences as well as brief quotes from people with RSD in a way that makes this sensitivity feel very human and very common. The author’s voice is warm and reassuring as she walks the reader through the neurological basis for RSD and a whole host of tools for coping. This is followed by chapters on specific scenarios that many of us face in relationships, at work, and with our families.
I listened to this audiobook straight through (and the author as narrator was great!), but I suspect most people will find it more helpful to have this as a book to pull off the shelf and refer to when different scenarios arise in their own lives.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.
I read this as a mom, as a therapist, and as someone who has been described as sensitive, although I don’t have an RSD diagnosis. On each of those levels, this book was great. The author shares her own life experiences as well as brief quotes from people with RSD in a way that makes this sensitivity feel very human and very common. The author’s voice is warm and reassuring as she walks the reader through the neurological basis for RSD and a whole host of tools for coping. This is followed by chapters on specific scenarios that many of us face in relationships, at work, and with our families.
I listened to this audiobook straight through (and the author as narrator was great!), but I suspect most people will find it more helpful to have this as a book to pull off the shelf and refer to when different scenarios arise in their own lives.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ⓑⓞⓞⓚ Ⓡⓔⓥⓘⓔⓦ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
𝕋𝕠𝕠 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖
𝗦𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗶 MD
I read this because I am overly sensitive. I always have been and it drives me nuts. So, I thought maybe I could find some helpful advice in this book.
The term Rejection-Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) really grabbed my interest. I found that intriguing as it hit home for me. Learning more about that was worth reading this book.
What I found is that many of the suggestions are simple things that I already do, like asking myself whether what I’m thinking about myself is the same as what I would think about a friend if I put them in my place. The book also seemed rather repetitious to me. I found myself skimming through some of the parts.
I feel this was worth the read, yet I don’t feel that it has helped me feel any less sensitive. It did help me understand myself a bit better though.
Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Sasha Hamdani MD for providing me with this ebook to read and review.
𝕋𝕠𝕠 𝕊𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕧𝕖
𝗦𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗮 𝗛𝗮𝗺𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗶 MD
I read this because I am overly sensitive. I always have been and it drives me nuts. So, I thought maybe I could find some helpful advice in this book.
The term Rejection-Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) really grabbed my interest. I found that intriguing as it hit home for me. Learning more about that was worth reading this book.
What I found is that many of the suggestions are simple things that I already do, like asking myself whether what I’m thinking about myself is the same as what I would think about a friend if I put them in my place. The book also seemed rather repetitious to me. I found myself skimming through some of the parts.
I feel this was worth the read, yet I don’t feel that it has helped me feel any less sensitive. It did help me understand myself a bit better though.
Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Sasha Hamdani MD for providing me with this ebook to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This took me a second to warm up to. I’ve done a lot of self reflecting on taking hyper accountability and this felt a bit like I was undoing some of that. This book in my opinion needs to paired with healthy boundaries.
Just like any self help/mental health take was resonates and leave the rest.
Overall this book takes a deep dive into RSD (not an official DSM diagnosis) and how it affects your brain and every day life. I personally enjoyed the first few chapters where she explained the biology behind RSD with hormones.
The last few chapters got into standard CBT toolkit and how to use it. As someone who struggles with nervous system regulation this is always a good refresher.
*I got this as a free ALC through NetGalley for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to everyone who made this happen❤️*
July 26, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC audiobook!
This book mainly uses CBT and DBT skills to help challenge negative automatic thoughts and increase distress tolerance. Like many self-help books, reading it all in one sitting can start to feel repetitive, so it’s likely that this book would be most helpful if read slowly. After the introduction, the chapters are broken up into different circumstances that may be triggering for people who are sensitive to rejection. I’d recommend reading each chapter and then practicing it on your own before returning to the book and looking at the next section (I know this is what all self-help books recommend and I never ever do this myself but I still think it’s a good suggestion!).
This book mainly uses CBT and DBT skills to help challenge negative automatic thoughts and increase distress tolerance. Like many self-help books, reading it all in one sitting can start to feel repetitive, so it’s likely that this book would be most helpful if read slowly. After the introduction, the chapters are broken up into different circumstances that may be triggering for people who are sensitive to rejection. I’d recommend reading each chapter and then practicing it on your own before returning to the book and looking at the next section (I know this is what all self-help books recommend and I never ever do this myself but I still think it’s a good suggestion!).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
If you have ever been called “too sensitive”, this may be the book for you. I found this book incredibly insightful from the neurological science behind why some feel more than others to the various tools the author sets forth to help manage these feelings. I listened to this book on audio and the author did a great job narrating, but plan to get myself a hard copy once released so I can refer back to the material. Highly recommend if this topic interests you.
If you have ever been called “too sensitive”, this may be the book for you. I found this book incredibly insightful from the neurological science behind why some feel more than others to the various tools the author sets forth to help manage these feelings. I listened to this book on audio and the author did a great job narrating, but plan to get myself a hard copy once released so I can refer back to the material. Highly recommend if this topic interests you.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This was a really important book for me. I feel now that I can truly name the condition that's been plaguing me my whole life - Rejection Sensitivity Disorder. Hamdani's definitions and examples of how my brain works illuminated so much for me. The coping strategies in the second half were not as useful since I've done a lot of training on mindfulness and cognitive therapy, but I think those just figuring out how to navigate this condition will benefit quite a bit.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Do you ever think you are too much? People react to events, people, feelings differently and this normalizes that. You can care. This offers solutions in the form of recognizing and reacting, while remaining your true self.
The author and William Dodson provided a calming and clear narrative performance in the audiobook, much appreciated for a non-fiction read.
Thanks to the publsishers for the eARC and ALC
The author and William Dodson provided a calming and clear narrative performance in the audiobook, much appreciated for a non-fiction read.
Thanks to the publsishers for the eARC and ALC
August 25, 2026
4.5 stars. The title, Too Sensitive by Dr Sasha Hamdani, drew me in. A book for me? I have no regrets requesting this title from Macmillan Audio. Read by the author, i really enjoyed learning the science behind Rejection-Sensitive Dysphoria. I think I would recommend getting a physical copy of the book though as it is something that could and should be referenced later. The book felt a little repetitive at times but I think it’s meant to read in short doses, not cover to cover.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I feel like this book could help a lot of people but sadly I don't think it was me. I am emotional but in a different sense. I personally don't believe I have Rejection Sensitivity Disorder so I won't be able to use the tools that were given but I feel like this can be really useful for others! Amazing writing and Sasha explains everything so well.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Excellent background of the science behind Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria. But later chapters were too stretched out given how the same, predictable organization was used for multiple chapters, which made the information feel repetitive and overly generalized.
Review of advance copy
this book made me book a therapy appt and I need the book in my shelves now for review like a textbook thx u
July 29, 2026
This book was informative, and I did learn a few things from it. However, it also felt very repetitive and stretched out in places. I think the same points could have been made in a much shorter book without losing the overall message.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Too Sensitive by Sasha Hamdani was an insightful and validating read. It does an excellent job of explaining what sensitivity is, where it comes from, and how it can affect different aspects of life. The book also offers practical guidance for navigating relationships, whether you're the sensitive person yourself or you're trying to better understand a friend or family member who is.
As I read, I recognized so many of my own traits and experiences in the pages. It was reassuring to finally have an explanation for things I've felt for years. I especially appreciated the practical strategies the author shares for managing sensitivity in a way that reduces unnecessary stress and helps you work with your personality instead of against it.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, easy-to-understand book that offers both knowledge and practical advice. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand sensitivity—either in themselves or in the people they care about.
As I read, I recognized so many of my own traits and experiences in the pages. It was reassuring to finally have an explanation for things I've felt for years. I especially appreciated the practical strategies the author shares for managing sensitivity in a way that reduces unnecessary stress and helps you work with your personality instead of against it.
Overall, this is a thoughtful, easy-to-understand book that offers both knowledge and practical advice. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to better understand sensitivity—either in themselves or in the people they care about.
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