PDA can have a significant impact on Autistic adults’ lives.
Learn more about PDA and how it looks in the lives of Autistic adults in the post 8 Characteristics of PDA, Pathological Demand Avoidance, in Autistic Adults
The term PDA stands for Pathological Demand Avoidance. PDA is a behavioral phenotype of Autism Spectrum Disorder that’s characterized by an intense need to avoid demands.
PDA can significantly impact an Autistic adult’s life by causing extreme anxiety and resistance to everyday demands
Additionally, PDA causes self-care issues which can include difficulty with basic tasks like hygiene, eating, and managing personal finances due to the anxiety associated with following a routine.
PDA can also challenge emotional regulation in Autistic adults. Perceived demands can cause an Autistic adult with PDA to experience high levels of anxiety, increased panic attacks, and emotional distress, making it hard to manage emotions effectively.
When you combine the anxiety and resistance that PDA can cause, along with self-care and emotional regulation challenges that PDA can cause, it is no surprise that PDA can cause Autistic adults to engage in either procrastination and/or avoidance behaviors. This is evident in our tendencies to put off tasks or actively avoid situations that feel like demands, even if they are important.
One of the two biggest areas that are impacted by PDA in Autistic adults is in relationships. PDA can cause you to experience difficulty maintaining friendships and intimate relationships due to your strong need for control and resistance to others’ expectations, potentially leading to conflict and social isolation.
The second area that can be devastated by PDA in Autistic adults is in your professional and educational lives. PDA may cause us to struggle to meet deadlines, follow instructions, or adapt to changes in routine at work or school, which can result in job loss or academic setbacks.
Also, many Autistics may have a history of losing employment or changing jobs and careers because of the challenges that PDA places in their lives.
Another dangerous aspect of PDA for Autistic adults like you and me is feeling overwhelmed and/or experiencing burnout.
The constant stress from managing demand avoidance can lead to exhaustion and difficulty functioning in daily life.
