When Paris Hilton described her experience with rejection sensitive dysphoria on The Skinny Confidential podcast, calling it “like physical pain” and comparing it to “a demon in your mind,” the term went viral. But rejection sensitive dysphoria is not new, and it is not a formal diagnosis. It is a widely discussed pattern of intense emotional reactivity tied to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) that millions of people recognize in their own lives. Here’s what the research says about rejection sensitive dysphoria, why it happens, and what may help. What Is Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria? Rejection sensitive dysphoria (RSD) describes intense emotional pain triggered by actual or perceived rejection, criticism, or failure. The term “dysphoria” comes from the Greek word meaning “hard to bear,” which captures how the experience feels: sudden, overwhelming, and disproportionate to the triggering event. People...

If children have suddenly began shouting “6-7!,” in class, at home, or during playtime, they are part of one of 2025’s biggest viral fads. The “6-7,” trend has taken over TikTok and Instagram Reels, spreading so widely that some schools have begun restricting or banning it. While the chant might appear harmless and nonsensical, its popularity offers valuable insight into how social media influences children’s group behavior, emotional expression, and sense of belonging. What Is the “6-7” Trend? The phrase “6-7,” (also seen as 67 or 6,7), originated from the song “Doot Doot (6 7),” by Skrilla, which was featured in basketball highlight clips of LaMelo Ball, who stands 6’ 7” tall. The meme went viral after Overtime Elite player Taylen “TK” Kinney and a young fan known as “the 67 Kid,” popularized it through exaggerated gestures and chants during games. Since then, the trend has spread among elementary and middle school stu...

This content has been updated from the previous article on October 15, 2020. 1. Flip the Script Sometimes when we experience stress, negative thoughts about ourselves creep in. These invasive thoughts may declare that you aren’t good enough or you can’t handle what’s going on. Therapists teach and utilize tools such as “cognitive reframing” to help people avoid a feeling of spiraling into stress. Take a moment and notice any negative thoughts you’ve had about yourself. Include anything you thought about yourself but would never say about your best friend. Once you have identified these thoughts, turn them around. Examples of turning negative thoughts into positive ones include: “I can’t handle this!” becomes “Considering all that’s going on, I’m handling it well.” “Nothing is going my way. Everything is awful.” becomes “I’ve hit a few obstacles, but I know good things will happen too.” “I am alone in this.” becom...

I invite friends over for dinner at least twice a week. This may sound unusual or even stressful to many people, but to me it has brought joy and closeness with family and friends. When I cook, we all participate. My friends have sunk their hands into the warm earth to plant herbs, fruits, and vegetables that make it into almost every meal I cook year-round, a proposition that can be difficult in the Michigan winter. Each of the kids and our closest friends helped build the dining room table from local cherry wood that we gather around to eat. To connect. And the wooden center countertop upon which we roll dough for pastas and breads was made by us as well. We feel connected from the food we grow to the places we prepare and eat food. It is all tied together, and all of it is powerful medicine. The kitchen is the heart of our home. The kitchen is the heart of our home. This focus is incredibly important to me as a person and parent. The kitchen is the center of family congregation. It is where we prepare food, discuss our day, and decompress. Achievements and milestones are marked with food and time in the kitchen. This runs deeper than just the food that is prepared and consumed by those who I hold dear. It’s about connection, tradition, and well-being....