S1E07:Why PDA Triggers Shame Spirals in AuDHD

Ever feel crushed by shame when a hobby you love suddenly feels impossible? In this episode of Not Quite Typical, I unpack why PDA (pathological demand avoidance) and ADHD shame spirals hit so hard for me as a late-diagnosed AuDHDer. From my abandoned baking dreams to work guilt and friend-text paralysis, I share it all.I dive into the roots: RSD (rejection sensitive dysphoria), masking exhaustion, executive dysfunction, and that nervous-system freeze when “just do it” advice backfires. Then I share three tiny shifts that broke my cycle:* Name the mechanism (like saying “This is PDA, not failure”)* Reframe interests as “mini pools” - deep skill dives I can revisit, not flaky failures* Permission to be small - 5-minute starts over perfection pressureFind Not Quite TypicalInstagram: @notquite_typicalSubstack: ambernapthine.substack.comListen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — search Not Quite Typical Hey friends, just a gentle reminder: I’m sharing from my own lived experience with AuDHD, not a medical textbook! While some of our guests have clinical expertise, every single neurodivergent journey is different. This space is for sharing stories and community, so please always seek professional advice for your own personal health and wellbeing. Thanks for being here!