Rejection hurts everyone—but for some, it cuts deeper, faster, and lingers longer. This intense emotional pain in response to perceived rejection or criticism is known as Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). While not (yet) a formal clinical diagnosis, RSD is increasingly recognized by clinicians as a pattern that significantly impactsonal well-being, especially among those with ADHD, trauma histories, or neurodivergent profiles.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is more than just severe PMS; it's a debilitating condition that significantly impacts mood and daily functioning in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Recent research highlights a disproportionate prevalence of PMDD among neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD and autism.

We are in the midst of a much-needed shift in how we understand women’s mental health. For decades, hormonal changes have been sidelined or even dismissed as “emotional” or “irrational.” But what if we’ve been overlooking one of the most powerful regulators of mood, memory, andntal well-being in the female body?

If you're a woman navigating perimenopause and ADHD, you're not imagining it — things might feel harder than ever. Many women report worsening symptoms during perimenopause, and yet support is often lacking. Most healthcare systems still don’t fully understand how ADHD shows up in women, let alone how it interacts with hormonal shifts.

In this state, the amygdala, the brain’s alarm system, becomes dominant. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain responsible for language, reflection, and logical thinking—goes offline. This is not a behavioural choice; it’s a biological reaction.

Why Do I Feel So Bad About Myself Sometimes? If you’ve ever noticed that you feel bad about yourself—even when no one is judging you—it’s not because you’re broken.

By mirroring the caregiver's low self-worth, the child may have found a form of connection:

"If I feel bad too, maybe we’ll be close. Maybe I won’t be abandoned."

This becomes a form of emotional attunement based in pain.

They’re often overwhelmed, exhausted, and in survival mode. And while they’re seeking strategies or steps to feel better (which is understandable), I offer something that might sound simple, but is profoundly rooted in neuroscience:

“You need to create the conditions — and then your body and brain will do the healing.”

Let me explain.

A boy who grows up in a chaotic or unsafe environment might quickly learn that showing pain or needing comfort makes him a target. So he adapts. He becomes hard. He stops crying. He acts out with anger instead of sadness. He might bully others to avoid being the one who gets bullied. He might lash out to feel some sense of power in a world where he otherwise feels powerless.

This isn’t because he’s “bad.” It’s because, on some level, being hypermasculine feels safer than being a victim.

“Boys who are exposed to trauma often internalize rigid beliefs about masculinity as a way to regain control and feel emotionally protected”
— Dr. Niobe Way, Deep Secrets: Boys’ Friendships and the Crisis of Connection (2011)

It’s a form of emotional armor — but like all armor, it’s heavy, and it limits connection.

Bondi Junction: One Year On: Trauma, Grief, and the Quiet Work of Healing.

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) is a profile on the autism spectrum that’s characterized by an intense, anxiety-driven avoidance of everyday demands. But unlike deliberate defiance, the avoidance in PDA is rooted in a need to feel safe and in control — not a desire to challenge authority or misbehave.

Navigating the educational journey for students who have experienced trauma requires a nuanced approach that considers the neurobiological impact of their experiences. By integrating strategies rooted in relationship-building, positive physical spaces, emotional self-mastery, and positive primers like brain breaks, educators can leverage neurobiology to foster healing and a sense of safety for these students.

In today's fast-paced and demanding work environment, many of us find ourselves juggling various responsibilities, striving for perfection, and constantly pushing our limits to achieve professional success. Whilst caring about your work and being dedicated are valuable traits, they can also lead to burnout, stress, and a lack of self-care. This is where self-compassion at work comes into play. In this blog, we'll explore the concept of self-compassion and how it can transform how you feel about yourself and your working life.

You have just worked really hard, invested a lot of time and money into getting your child assessed. You finally have a diagnosis and a treatment plan and one part of the treatment plan includes medication. Of course, as a parent, you have feelings about giving your child medication. It is afterall putting a chemical in your child’s body. But, you work through those feelings, and you are now ready to start the treatment. Suddenly you face yet another obstacle ….

Tantrums are a normal part of childhood, but they can be particularly challenging when they occur in older children. While tantrums are commonly associated with toddlers, children of all ages can experience emotional outbursts when they are upset, frustrated, or feeling overwhelmed. As a parent or caregiver, it can be difficult to know how to respond …

A good enough parent understands that being receptive, empathic, caring, and loving to our children is important. Perfectionistic parenting is the belief that if we want to be excellent parents, we must carry out those duties flawlessly throughout the day, every day. The truth is