#154 Don’t Tell Me What To Do: ADHD, PDA & The Demand-Avoidant Brain

In this episode, we’re unpacking Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) - It’s the “the second it becomes a have to, my brain says hell no” feeling, you might experience… 

I can decide myself to clean the kitchen & feel fine. But if my partner asks me, suddenly it’s a whole thing!

We’ll chat about:

• What PDA is & how it’s driven by anxiety & a need for autonomy, not laziness or being difficult.
• How PDA can show up in adults with ADHD, from ignoring texts to melting down over “simple” tasks
• Why your nervous system treats everyday demands like threats, even when they’re self-care or fun
• The key difference between PDA & ODD (and how the why behind behaviour matters)
• 3 Practical ways to make demands feel smaller & safer, increase your sense of choice,& support your nervous system instead of bullying yourself into action

If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I fight even the things I want to do?”, this episode is for you my friend.

LINKS TO GOOD SH*T:

*Join Adulting with ADHD your ADHD toolbox & everything you need to work with your brain

*Get our ADHD Coach in your pocket! + the ADHD Goal Setting Workbook (life planner tool)

*12 Things I wished my Doctor had told me about Adult ADHD

*Find out if you might be living with ADHD - Download Symptoms List

*Check out Courses & Coaching with Xena

*Learn, Inspire, Share & Connect inside our Facebook Community 

*Come hang out with me on Instagram!