I’ve always felt extremely vulnerable to criticism and rejection – as if I could be totally crushed at any moment, like an orange whose flesh is exposed without its peel.
A tiny negative touch from the outside world and I can implode into a sticky mess, dripping with sadness and rage.
As someone with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, I certainly attracted a lot of criticism growing up.
Comments such as ‘Stop being so sensitive’. ‘Stop fidgeting’ and ‘You’re so lazy’ were commonplace throughout my childhood.
These extra criticisms made me feel as though I wasn’t accepted as I was, that I didn’t belong and, ultimately, that I was broken.
These are even harder to deal with because I, like many people with ADHD, have rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD).
A symptom of the emotional dysregulation and different brain chemistry that comes with ADHD, RSD manifests as severe emotional pain because of a failure or feeling rejected.
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Alex Partridge (left) and the cover of his new book, Why Does Everybody Hate Me? Living and Loving with Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (right)
What RSD feels like
While a neurotypical person is able to recognise rejection, rationalise it, feel bad then move on fairly quickly, RSD is physically painful, all-consuming and disproportionate to the event that triggered it.
For example, when someone told me they were too busy to attend my birthday party it felt like they’d swung a bag of bricks into my chest. The pain was instant and nothing could distract me from it.
In my experience, both personally and from interviewing thousands of people with ADHD, RSD is the hardest part of ADHD.
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Left unchecked, it can cause more damage to someone’s life than any of the other executive functioning challenges linked to ADHD.
My advice for parents
If you’re parenting a child with RSD, the first step is being transparent with them about how their brain perceives criticism from others. Tell them that their emotional responses to these criticisms will be intense, but there’s nothing wrong with this.
When your child experiences an RSD episode, remain calm and grounded. This provides a clear message that their big emotions aren’t a problem for you, and you understand where they’re coming from.
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Shower them with praise and reassurance, and remind them of their strengths.
RSD children can stress about making things perfect. So, as well as praising the final result, praise the process. This ensures they assign value to their effort, not just their output.
Teach them to separate objective from subjective feedback – what’s fact, versus personal opinion. It’s easy for those with low self-esteem to have difficulty doing this, but it’s a really important distinction to learn.
Remind them, too, that every opinion or criticism is a reflection of what’s going on in that person’s head. Your child can’t control people’s thoughts, but neither should they assume these are a signal they’re in any way ‘less than’.
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Ultimately, teach your child to accept and be open to the sensitivities that come with ADHD and RSD, rather than feeling shameful.
Tell them they’re not broken, just different, and that they will always be enough exactly as they are.
The president threatened stop tankers from entering or leaving the key oil and gas shipping lane, a move that is expected to further drive up oil prices when markets open, after they have already risen as a result of Iran’s grip on the strait in retaliation for the US-Israel war against it.
The Highlander between Belsay and Ponteland has captured the hearts of visitors on TripAdvisor, earning 221 ‘excellent’ reviews – making it the number one restaurant in the area.
You can find the gastro pub off the A696, just a few minutes away from Newcastle International Airport.
The building is Grade II listed dating back to the 1700s and closed its doors in 2018 before being re-purchased and renovated to reopen in September 2023.
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Open from Wednesday to Sunday, drinkers can come in and enjoy beers and spirits as well as tasty bites from pub classic fish and chips to Sunday roasts and mouth watering desserts.
Despite the long closure, it’s clear the boozer is having a positive impact on diners who have taken to TripAdvisor to praise staff and the chefs.
One happy customer said: “Amazing food and great atmosphere. Went for the Thursday special for our first ever visit and we will be back. Food was delicious.”
Another said: “First time visiting the highlander and we will definitely be back. The service was first class, especially how busy the pub was.
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“Picturesque pub and ambience just right. Could not fault the food whatsoever, everything was lovely. We will definitely be back and recommend to friends and family.”
Three people were pulled from Loch Lomond waters after their vessel began sinking in a dramatic rescue operation.
Three people have been rescued from the water after a vessel began sinking on Loch Lomond sparking a major emergency response.
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Rescue crews were paged for the third time in a single day at around 1.21pm on Sunday, April 12, following a report from Police Scotland of a boat in distress.
The incident took place between Inchmurrin Island and the Boturich shoreline, where three people were reported to be on board a vessel that was sinking.
Emergency responders from Loch Lomond Rescue Boat launched immediately, arriving at the scene shortly after 1.40pm alongside National Park Rangers. On arrival, all three people were found submerged in the water next to the stricken vessel.
Due to the location, two members of the rescue boat crew entered the water and swam to the sinking vessel in order to assess the situation and help save their lives.
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One casualty was recovered to the rescue boat and given immediate medical care before being transferred to National Park Rangers. He was then taken to Duncan Mills slipway to meet crews from the Scottish Ambulance Service.
A HM Coastguard rescue helicopter was also dispatched to the scene and winched the remaining two casualties to safety before transporting them to Glasgow Airport.
Following the operation, rescue crews were able to return to base and stand down at around 3pm.
Police Scotland has been contacted for comment.
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The First Minister and other Scottish party leaders faced an audience of fed-up voters in Paisley who declared they were considering not turning out on May 7.
20:37, 12 Apr 2026Updated 21:07, 12 Apr 2026
John Swinney was put on the spot over the SNP’s record on the NHS and energy during the first live TV debate of the Holyrood election campaign tonight.
The First Minister and other Scottish party leaders faced a BBC audience of fed-up voters in Paisley – with several declaring they were considering not bothering to turn out on May 7.
One audience member told the panel of six: “One question was why should we vote? What I’ve heard tonight is why we shouldn’t vote, as all we are hearing is squabbling.
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“The reality is the SNP Government has driven us towards a two-tier health system. In the last three weeks, I’ve known of someone who was 83rd on the list to see a doctor in A&E, and waited 10 hours to be seen.
“I know someone who has waited over two-and-a-half years to get an audiology test and driven towards paying £1,800 to buy from a high street store. Within four days they had their hearing aids.”
Swinney responded: “What I accept is there are people who have waited too long for treatment. And some of that is a product of the impact and disruption of the covid pandemic.
“When I became First Minister, I pledged to bring long waits down – and that’s exactly what’s happening.”
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Debate host Stephen Jardine then pointed out the SNP Government has just missed its own target to rid the country of year-long waits by March 2026.
Swinney continued: “For nine months in a row, we have seen a reduction in long waits for inpatient and outpatients as well.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar told the First Minister to “take some responsibility for once” on issues within the NHS.
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He asked Swinney if he knew how many people are on a two-year waiting list. Sarwar said: “How many people in Scotland are waiting more than two years? Five thousand.
“In in England, 10 times the size, it’s 300. You’ve been in power for 20 years, take some responsibility for once. Why should they give you one more minute when that’s your record?”
The SNP leader had earlier been eager to talk about the soaring cost of energy – insisting it was a “key issue” of this election – and blasted the UK Government’s failure to so far meet a 2024 election pledge to reduce household bills by £300.
The First Minister told the audience: “Anas Sarwar promised to deliver change in 2024 and fuel bills have gone up, so you cannot take a word seriously of what Anas Sarwar says.”
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But one audience member later asked: “Mr Swinney, you say you’re going to cut energy costs. But a couple of SNP conferences ago, did you not say you were going to create a not-for-profit energy company? What’s happened to that?”
The First Minister responded: “I would love to be in a position to do that.”
He added: “What I want to make sure is that Scotland’s energy wealth is available to the people of Scotland to reduce bills.”
Greens co-leader Ross Greer later branded ex-Tory peer Malcolm Offord a “chancer” after he defected to become Reform UK leader in Scotland
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In a clash over immigration, Greer said: “He is an absolute chancer.
“This is a failed Tory minister who gave the Tory Party £200,000 and then they gave him a seat in the House of Lords and ministerial office – I’m sure that was totally coincidental.
“He was part of that failed Tory government, the former leader of Reform in Wales is currently doing a 10-year jail sentence for taking Russian bribes, they are not the answer to any of the challenges in Scotland.”
Malcolm Offord said he was in favour of immigration for those coming to work, but he did not support those who are “jumping the queues” of public services “to the detriment of local people in our own communities”.
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Public services union Unison said its study estimates at least 21,000 roles are due to be cut by 2028 in hospitals and other health facilities.
Efforts to meet the Government’s demand for trust budgets to break even from this year are driving workforce reductions across hospital, community and mental health services, the union said.
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The cuts were revealed by trusts in response to freedom of information requests by Unison and are in addition to job losses at NHS England and integrated care boards announced last year, it warned.
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The union said its research reveals trusts are planning cuts to roles including nurses and other clinical staff, as well as support post reductions through vacancy freezes, restructuring and reduced use of agency workers.
Unison’s head of health Helga Pile said: “Cutting thousands of NHS jobs is the wrong answer when staff are already stretched to breaking point.
“The public are all too aware how understaffing is a major problem, so they’ll be rightly alarmed when the situation’s getting worse.
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“Years of underfunding have left many trusts out of pocket and ministers’ financial reset is creating deep uncertainty about services and staff.
“Morale is through the floor as workers worry whether their jobs are at risk, amid soaring levels of stress and violence.
“The NHS is being asked to transform how care is delivered, with more community services and technology, but none of this is possible without the staff to make it happen.”
A Department of Health and Social care spokesperson said: “Thanks to the extra £26 billion we have invested, the NHS has an extra 12,000 doctors, 16,000 nurses, and 8,000 mental health workers compared to July 2024.
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“We make no apology for reducing spend on agency staff, for which the NHS was previously paying huge sums to rip-off recruitment agencies.
“It is only because of that focus on getting better value for money that we have been able to invest in more frontline staff, give staff above forecast inflation pay rises for two years in a row, and improve services for patients.”
What’s in store for you today? (Picture: Metro.co.uk)
Venus in Taurus aligns with Jupiter in Cancer, a fruitful and bountiful blend. The two planets of fortune being aligned, the cosmos is keen to bestow goodness.
Sagittarius, Pisces and Aquarius, you could feel highly inspired today. Whether it’s creatively, or in terms of decision making,you will be implored to take action.
Exciting developments and new paths are on the cards. Go forward bravely.
Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Monday April 13, 2026
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With Mars blazing in your sign and linking to Neptune, you’ll be confident and yet a little uncertain of where you’re going. You’ll be motivated, but the path ahead can be slippery. You know you want to do something, but toward what end? It’s no good aiming wildly and hoping for the best. Be inspired and put any ego aside, then you’ll move powerfully and wisely.
Venus in your sign aligns with Jupiter in Cancer, turning a friendly chat into fertile ground for exciting developments. A cosy get-together could provide the perfect ambience for a talk that takes you from vision to inspiring possibility. Someone’s questions can unlock a brilliant idea, or you may be introduced to a new and supportive friend. Believe good things can unravel today.
While Mars energises your social life, its merger with Neptune can usher in a world of inspiration and illusion. Someone’s idea may sound amazing, or a group project could seem to promise so much but pause before doing anything you might regret. Neptune can blur new possibilities and smudge the facts. Ask clear questions and work on the details, then start.
A feisty and alluring blend of energies lights up your career zone in an ethereal yet magnetic dance. You’ll have big ambitions, but the path ahead may be vague. A professional opportunity could shimmer with promise, but before you agree, make sure it is truly right for you. Channel your drive into goals that reflect your values and avoid chasing success for its own sake.
A desire for faraway places could inspire you with images of delightful scenes and open spaces. You might be drawn by an urge for adventure and new experiences that take you away from your everyday life. A glamorous aspect could lead you astray while promising everything. Before you book a course, buy a ticket, or make a commitment, be sure to research it all carefully, Leo.
Go easy around shared resources and deep commitments, as things may not be as they seem. You could feel compelled to act decisively, yet paradoxically uncertainty hold you back. This is a good thing, as boundaries can blur and people may be evasive. Use your analytical skills to the max as they are very much needed. Yet inspired collaboration is possible over the coming days.
Cosmic messages for Cosmic messages for Virgo today
Libra
September 24 to October 23
Venus in Taurus aligns with Jupiter in Cancer, potentially creating harmony around finances and emotional trust. A joint venture could blossom as you and another discover mutual inspiration and support. It’s wise to keep things simple, though. A relaxed conversation over a meal could lead to a profitable idea. You won’t need to drive a hard bargain, as goodwill can work wonders
Today’s Mars-Neptune tie can lead to inspired action, but it’s hemmed in by uncertainty. You’ll want to get moving, but your priorities be unclear. Feel driven to fix everything at once? It’s best not to try too hard. Channel your energy into creative solutions rather than trying to do it all. A project involving healing or service could flourish – if you truly know what you are doing.
You’ll be dynamic and motivated to share feelings, create art or chase your dreams. Yet, it’s wise to have a plan or a map before you get moving. Mars and Neptune dance together, yet this blend of energies hides some big red flags. It’s better to channel your feelings into something meaningful rather than something very alluring. Be realistic, and then your plans can blossom.
A trip with a partner or friend could feel effortless and wildly luxurious. Conversation can flow, and laughter bubble up easily, making this a wonderful day for ideas that could be profitable and even truly golden. An encounter on this journey could lead to a warm and sincere friendship and could open a door later. Yet there is no need to chase opportunities, as they can seek you out.
Your mind may be racing ahead, and your ideas can sparkle and dazzle, but when it comes to the details, you may be tempted to gloss over them. Before announcing a plan, it’s a good idea to check it all out first. Don’t promise anything on the spur of the moment or make any grand gestures – you may regret doing so. Inspired action, combined with careful thought, is the key.
Venus aligns with bountiful Jupiter. These are the two planets of fortune, Jupiter is your traditional ruler, so this can be day that can hum with all sorts of serendipity andpotential. You’ll also have the happy knack of being able to captivate people with your ideas and even how you say things. If you have first date, your timing is impeccable – you can be charm personified
Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.
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A detective in the case revealed he thinks Packer likely killed others before Emma Caldwell (Picture: PA)
The murder of Emma Caldwell was likely not the first killing carried out by Iain Packer, according to a former detective.
Retired detective constable Stuart Hall told a podcast he believes ‘there’s going to be more found out in the future’ about Packer’s offending.
Ms Caldwell, 27, was killed in 2005, but it wasn’t until 2024 that Packer was convicted of her murder, along with a string of sexual offences against other women.
Police had questioned Packer in the weeks after the death of Ms Caldwell, but instead a group of Turkish men were charged in relation to her death in 2007. The case against them later collapsed.
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Mr Hall spoke to a podcast series which is examining the deaths of several women involved in prostitution around Glasgow in the 1990s and early 2000s.
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Emma Caldwell was killed in 2005 (Picture: PA)
The Beware Book podcast examines the deaths of eight women during the period, four of which remain unsolved.
The podcast takes its name from a journal which was used by women involved in prostitution to warn each other about potentially dangerous or suspicious clients.
Mr Hall was asked about the fact that Packer’s offending continued for years after Ms Caldwell’s murder, and whether the full extent of his crimes has come to light.
He said: ‘No – short answer. I think there’s a lot more to be found out about Iain Packer. Personally, I don’t think it was his first murder.
‘I think there’s going to be more found out in the future. I’d love to be involved in something to do with that, but I think there’s far more to it.’
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Iain Packer was arrested more than a decade after Caldwell’s death (Picture: PA)
He added: ‘There’s a pattern of behaviour here. As they discovered during the trial, which is now common knowledge, he did the same thing to several girls.
‘Although Emma was the only one we know of at this time who was murdered. I see no reason for there not to be more.’
Mr Hall said Packer’s history of violence against women had emerged in court, and ‘seems to be who is is’.
Packer was jailed for life with a minimum term of 36 years after he was found guilty of Ms Caldwell’s murder.
Her body was found in a remote location in Limefield Woods in South Lanarkshire. Other former detectives have previously told the podcast about their certainty of Packer’s guilt.
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However, they said their suspicions were dismissed by superiors, with one being told Packer ‘will never be accused’.
A public inquiry, chaired by Lord Scott KC, is due to examine the police investigation into the murder.
Police Scotland Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: ‘Emma Caldwell’s family have shown incredible courage and determination following her murder in 2005, and we are absolutely committed to supporting the inquiry and getting her loved ones the answers they deserve.’
Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life in 2017 due to social media harms, told Keir Starmer the ‘cost is too high to get this wrong’
The dad of Molly Russell has warned Keir Starmer not to rush into a social media ban amid new polling that shows a majority of children in Australia are still accessing sites despite restrictions.
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Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter took her own life in 2017 due to social media harms, told the PM the “cost is too high to get this wrong” as he urged him to ensure any action to improve online safety in the UK is evidence-led.
Australia banned access to social media for under 16s in December, yet new polling shows three in five (61%) Australian 12 to 15 year-olds still have access to one or more accounts on restricted platforms.
The survey showed major social media firms have retained a majority of their child users, with 53% of previous TikTok users, 53% of YouTube users and 52% of Instagram users still able to access an account on these sites.
The first major polling of 1,050 children aged 12-15 was conducted by Molly Rose Foundation and YouthInsight, Australia’s largest online youth panel.
MRF, set up in the name of Molly, warned the findings raise “major question marks” about the effectiveness of Australia’s social media ban. It said a ban risks offering parents a “false sense of safety” and is instead calling on the PM to commit to a new Online Safety Act in the King’s Speech.
Mr Russell said: “Keir Starmer has the chance to make the UK a world leader in online safety by following the evidence with robust new laws that give parents what they are rightly demanding.
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“The cost is too high to get this wrong by rushing into an Australia-style ban that offers the perception of security but is letting children down in practice.”
Andy Burrows, Chief Executive of Molly Rose Foundation, said: “These results raise major questions about the effectiveness of Australia’s social media ban and show it would be a high stakes gamble for the UK to follow suit now.
“Parents and children deserve better than a flawed ban that delivers a false sense of safety that quickly unravels. Proponents of a ban argue that it offers an immediate and decisive firebreak, but the early evidence from Australia shows it only lets tech firms off the hook and fails to give children the step change in online safety and wellbeing they need.”
The UK Government is currently consulting on children’s social media safety with a wide range of options available to them, including cracking down on addictive and dangerous design features or imposing overnight curfews. An outright social media ban for under 16s will also be considered as part of the three-month consultation.
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A DSIT spokesman said: “This research underlines the importance of getting the next steps right. Our consultation on children’s wellbeing online looks at a breadth of options – from digital curfews and time limits on apps, to a social media ban. It is focused on ensuring that any action we take is technically sound, enforceable, and places real responsibility on the platforms themselves, to give children and parents the genuine protection they deserve.”
More than 100 easyJet passengers have been left stranded in Milan after their flight left without them following long queues at border control, it has been reported
Carrington Walker and Tim Hanlon News Reporter
21:48, 12 Apr 2026
More than 100 easyJet passengers are reportedly stuck in Milan after their flight departed without them.
Numerous travellers have turned to social media to voice frustration over lengthy queues lasting up to three hours at border control as they attempted to depart from the Italian city’s Linate airport.
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There are also claims that several passengers fell ill after standing in sweltering conditions while waiting for their easyJet flight on Sunday evening back to Manchester Airport. EasyJet has reportedly stated it was assisting passengers but insisted the circumstances were beyond their control, reports the Mirror.
Kiera, 17, from Oldham, says she and her boyfriend are now facing a 20-hour wait at the airport before they can board another flight tomorrow. “We got here at 7.30pm for our flight at 11pm so were super early. We got to Border Control and it was a massive queue of people. I wasn’t feeling great anyway because I think I’d got food poisoning,” Kiera told the BBC.
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“At about 10.50pm they brought some water over for people, and when we got to the front of the queue someone asked us if we were going to Manchester, and told us our flight had just gone.
“There were only about 30 people got on the plane, and about 100 people didn’t.” Kiera explained that securing replacement flights will now set them back £520, and they’ll be forced to travel via Gatwick instead of Manchester.
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Another passenger, Adam Lomas, 33, from Wakefield, has found himself stranded alongside his wife Katy, 31, and their four-month-old daughter. He reportedly said: “We have been sat at the airport for hours. A few people have been on the phone to easyJet. I attempted to contact them but just got chatbots and then there were audio issues and they couldn’t hear me and after five or 10 minutes they hung up.
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“We are trying to find a hotel and we are going to have to book a flight to London and then get from London to Manchester because our daughter’s babyseat is there.”
An Easyjet spokesman has reportedly attributed the hold-ups to delays at passport control linked to the new European Entry/Exit System introduced last October. He said: “We are aware that some passengers departing from Milan Linate today experienced longer than usual waiting times at passport control and we advised customers due to fly to allow additional time to make their way through the airport.
“We have been doing all possible to minimise the impact of the airport queues, holding flights to allow customers extra time and providing free flight transfers for any customers who may have missed their flight including EJU5420 to Manchester.
“We continue to urge border authorities to ensure they make full and effective use of the permitted flexibilities for as long as needed while European Entry / Exit System is implemented, to avoid these unacceptable border delays for our customers. While this is outside of our control, we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.”
NEW YORK (AP) — Oil prices rose in early market trading Sunday after the U.S. said it would blockade Iranian ports beginning Monday.
The price of U.S. crude oil rose 8% to $104.24 a barrel and Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 7% to $102.29.
Brent crude has swung dramatically during the Iran war, rising from roughly $70 per barrel before the war in late February to more than $119 at times. On Friday, ahead of the peace talks, Brent for June delivery fell 0.8% to $95.20 per barrel.
Iran has been effectively controlling the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for global oil shipping.
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U.S. Central Command said the blockade would be “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations” entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
It said it would still allow ships traveling between non-Iranian ports to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Around a fifth of the world’s traded oil typically flows through the Strait of Hormuz every day. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iran are all major exporters.
Traffic in the Strait has been limited even in the days since the ceasefire. Marine trackers say over 40 commercial ships have crossed since the start of the ceasefire.
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Claudio Galimberti, chief economist of Rystad Energy, said the blockade will raise prices but might move the needle on talks.
“It means the oil markets will be even tighter than before,” he said. “However, I think this is a negotiation tactic, which eventually resolves into a full opening of Hormuz. So, more pain now, but more gain later.”
However, Jim Krane, Energy Research Fellow at Rice University, said the blockade might be effective as a long-term strategy to impose pain on the Iranian economy, but it isn’t a good short-term negotiating tactic when the oil market is already under strain.
“If the deficit to the oil market takes another jump it is going to impose pain on every person on Earth that’s subject to market oil prices,” he said.
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