PDA. No, Not Public Display of Affection
The new episode of “You Are A LOT” (an ADHD/AuDHD podcast) is out now on your favorite podcast apps like Apple Podcasts or Spotify or click here for more listening options.
This week’s episode gives a name to a thing that maybe you experienced but never knew that it had a name! People can have PDA without having ADHD/AuDHD but it’s very common in ADHD/AuDHD humans. The term Pathological Demand Avoidance is objected to by many because it makes it sound like something’s wrong with a behavior that’s a natural reaction to anxiety, sensory overload, or needing autonomy, especially for neurodivergent people. That’s why I prefer to use the latest, more inclusive term: Pervasive Drive for Autonomy.
EPISODE 37: PDA: PERVASIVE DRIVE FOR AUTONOMY
In this episode: Jen breaks down the ins and outs of PDA; Pathological Demand Avoidance or Pervasive Drive for Autonomy. She chats about why even the simplest requests can feel like too much and how people with PDA handle those constant demands. Jen looks at the behaviors, challenges, and some ways to work on keeping a sense of autonomy even when triggered.