What Is PDA?

As if a geode could be described in simple words

A thousand layers of fine grade sand

Swirl around me yet solid

Refuting all attempts at demand

Of coercion.

With one sharp crack,

Shatter.

The jagged edges of the self laid bare

Casting beams of fire, repelling scrutiny.

All is loud.

All is blinding.

You are not meant to see within

Secret self so precious

Shown to but few.

Let there be silence.

Let there be stillness.

I am the storm's eye

A wish for freedom

Caught in a maelstrom of anxiety

Judgement

The desire to be free

Yet bound by expectations and conventions

They say we must follow to be accepted

Whilst they share their message of awareness

Our true selves too much for them.

Too wild, too free

Snarling in the face of normality.

Justice seekers

Protectors

Fierce guardians of their own.

It is spirit

It is loyalty

It is unfearing in defence of others

It is a gift.

Authors Note: I wrote this in March 2019 whilst processing a traumatic car accident which impacted heavily on my PTSD and MH. At the time I threw myself into helping in groups and it's a common sad tale that we are often 'too much' for folk, especially when we are traumatised and in a meltdown. There are as many good sides to PDA as there are the harder sides

Find out more about Pathological Demand Avoidance at The PDA Society.