Puberty and the Second Storm - Why Adolescence Destabilises PDA

Episode notes

There is a moment many parents describe with quiet shock: the child who had finally found equilibrium suddenly begins to unravel again.

In Episode 26 of The William Gomes Podcast, we explore why Puberty acts as a "Second Storm" for Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) youth. We discuss why adolescence is not just a social transition but a Biological Upheaval, where hormonal surges amplify anxiety in a nervous system already sensitive to threat.

William Gomes explains why this phase often looks like "regression" (the return of school refusal, meltdowns, and withdrawal) but is actually a necessary Reorganization of the nervous system.

We look at the collision between Identity Pressure and Bodily Changes—how growth spurts and sexual development can feel like a loss of bodily autonomy. This episode is a guide to adjusting expectations without defeat, understanding why capacity drops just as school demands rise, and how to support your teen through the storm without panic.

Key Topics Explored:

• The Second Storm: Why stability often fractures during adolescence.

• Hormonal Amplification: How biology intensifies threat responses.

• Bodily Autonomy: Why physical changes feel intrusive to PDAers.

• The Burnout Trap: Why increased school pressure + decreased capacity = collapse.

• Adjusting Expectations: Why "holding less" externally allows for internal growth.

CONNECT & LISTEN:

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