Pathological demand avoidance

Pathological demand avoidance (PDA), or extreme demand avoidance (EDA), is a proposed behavioral profile characterized by an intense resistance to complying with requests or expectations and extreme efforts to avoid social demands. As it is not recognized as an independent syndrome, and contested, PDA is not included in criteria or diagnoses listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. It is suggested by proponents that any expectation or activity, such as brushing teeth or getting ready to leave home to visit a playground, can trigger avoidant behavior. If the demand cannot be avoided, a panic attack or a meltdown may ensue.