Pathological Demand Avoidance (Why You Missed This Feeling!)
Aspergers and Autism Podcast [The Aspie World] · Aspergers and Autism Talk
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Show Notes
Pathological Demand Avoidance, often called PDA, is one of the most misunderstood autism profiles. Many autistic people struggle with overwhelming resistance to everyday demands, yet they do not realize why it happens. It can feel like laziness, defiance, or lack of motivation, but the reality is very different.
PDA is driven by anxiety and the brain’s strong need for autonomy and control. Even simple requests like answering a message, completing a task, or following a routine can trigger an intense feeling of pressure. The brain reacts by avoiding the demand completely, even when the person actually wants to do the task.
In this episode you will learn:
• What Pathological Demand Avoidance actually means
• Why everyday requests can feel overwhelming
• How anxiety and control play a role in demand avoidance
• Signs that PDA may be affecting your life
• Practical ways to manage demands without triggering shutdown or avoidance
If you often feel an intense resistance to tasks you know you should do, this episode will help you understand why that feeling happens and why many autistic people miss the signs for years.