1. Difficulty tolerating any demands, even those that are reasonable and typical.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance have difficulty tolerating any demands, even those that are reasonable and typical. This can lead to a lot of frustration for the individual as well as those around them, as they often struggle to meet everyday demands.
2. Excessive need for downtime or downtime that often interrupts daily activities.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance often need a lot of downtime or downtime, which can often interrupt their day-to-day activities. This can be upsetting for the person and those around them because it can make finishing work or meeting deadlines impossible.
3. Feeling overwhelmed by everyday demands.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance often feel overwhelmed by everyday demands. This can lead to feelings of anxiety and frustration, as they may feel like they are constantly struggling to keep up.
4. Making excuses to avoid demands or procrastinating on meeting them.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance may make excuses to avoid demands or procrastinate on meeting them. This can be very frustrating for others around them, as it can often lead to missed opportunities or tasks not being completed on time.
5. Experiencing physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, and nausea when confronted with a demand.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance may experience physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or nausea when confronted with a demand. This can be very frustrating and overwhelming for the individual and can make completing tasks difficult.
6. Reacting with anger, irritability, or withdrawal when confronted with a demand.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance may react with anger, irritability, or withdrawal when confronted with a demand. Because of this, the person may find it challenging to complete chores and feel highly frustrated and overwhelmed.
7. Significant impairment in functioning due to pathological demand avoidance.
Pathological demand avoidance can significantly impair an individual's functioning due to the amount of stress and anxiety it causes them. For the person, this can be incredibly annoying and overpowering, which might make finishing activities challenging.
8. Difficulty in following through on commitments.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance may have difficulty following through on commitments due to their fear of abandonment or overwhelming anxiety. This can be very frustrating for others around them and cause missed opportunities.
9. Fear of abandonment.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance often have a fear of abandonment. This can be very debilitating for the individual and may make it difficult to form or maintain relationships.
10. Intolerance of change.
Individuals with pathological demand avoidance often have an intolerance of change. This can be very frustrating for the individual, as they may struggle to adapt to new situations. Others who are close to them may also find it frustrating because it may make activities stressful.