Jenna Dalton

If you’re neurodivergent, you’ve probably had the experience of reading relationship advice that felt almost right – but not quite. Like the shape was familiar, but the edges didn’t totally match your experience.

Part of the reason is that “neurodivergent” is a broad umbrella. And within that umbrella, ADHD and autism can show up in romantic relationships in very different ways – sometimes even in opposite ways. If you’re in a relationship where one partner has ADHD and the other is autistic (which is actually pretty darn common), understanding these differences isn’t just helpful. It’s essential.

And if you’re someone who has both – AuDHD – buckle up, because your internal experience might feel like a tug-of-war between competing needs. Let’s break it down.

[Read more…] about The Hyperfocus Honeymoon vs. the Slow-Burn Bond: ADHD and Autism in Love

You’ve met someone. You like them. Maybe you really like them. And now your brain is doing the thing it always does – running the Masking Program at full capacity. You’re carefully monitoring your facial expressions, editing your texts three times before pressing send, mirroring their energy, acting like you remember the details of that conversation you had last Sunday, suppressing your stims, pretending you’re fine with the brain-crushingly loud restaurant, and generally performing the version of yourself that you think they’ll find most lovable.

It’s exhausting. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you know it’s not sustainable. Because at some point, the mask will slip. And then what?

If you’re neurodivergent and you’ve been through this cycle before – mask, attract, exhaust yourself, let the mask slip a little, they notice a difference and wonder what’s going on because something seems…. off, the relationship ends before it really even got a chance to get going – I want you to know something:

You are not broken. The mask was a survival strategy. It was useful to help you feel comfortable and safe. But you aren’t stuck in this cycle for the rest of your life. And you get to decide when and how you start taking that mask off. I’m here to help.

[Read more…] about They Fell for the Mask. Now What? A Guide to Showing Up Authentically in Love as a Neurodivergent Human

If you’ve ever Googled “why am I so anxious in relationships,” there’s a good chance you stumbled onto attachment theory. Maybe you took a quiz, got labelled “anxious” or “avoidant,” and thought, “Well, that explains everything.”

And honestly? Attachment theory is a genuinely useful framework. Understanding how you bond with people, what triggers your fear responses, and what you need to feel safe in relationships – that’s powerful information.

But here’s the problem: traditional attachment theory was developed by studying neurotypical brains. And if your brain is neurodivergent – you have ADHD, autism, or both – a lot of what looks like an “attachment style” might actually be something else entirely.

[Read more…] about What Attachment Theory Gets Wrong (If You’re Neurodivergent)

Your partner asks if you can take out the trash. Simple request. Totally reasonable. But something in your body clenches. It’s not that you don’t want to help. It’s not that you’re lazy. It’s that the moment it became a request – something expected of you – your entire nervous system started pushing back.

Or maybe it’s bigger than chores. Maybe your partner suggests a date night, and even though you want to go, the fact that it’s now a plan makes you want to cancel. Maybe they say “I love you” and you can’t say it back in that moment – not because you don’t feel it, but because the expectation to respond stole the words right out of your mouth.

If this sounds like your life, you might be dealing with a PDA profile – Pathological Demand Avoidance (although I prefer the term Persistent Drive for Autonomy). And when PDA shows up in romantic relationships, it can create some deeply confusing patterns for everyone involved.

[Read more…] about When Love Feels Like a Demand: Understanding PDA in Romantic Relationships

Your partner takes a little too long to text back, and suddenly your brain is writing an entire breakup story. They use a slightly different tone when they say “goodnight,” and you’re lying awake replaying it, convinced something is wrong. They make an offhand comment about dinner, and – even though you try to convince yourself to let it go – you can’t stop turning it over and over in your head.

If any of this sounds familiar, you might be experiencing Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria – or RSD. And if you’re neurodivergent, especially if you have ADHD, this is one of the most misunderstood and under recognized patterns that can wreak havoc on your relationships.

Here’s the thing: RSD isn’t you being “too sensitive.” It’s your brain processing perceived rejection with the volume turned all the way up. And once you understand that, everything shifts.

[Read more…] about It’s Not Overthinking. It’s Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (And It’s Impacting Your Relationship.)

Have you ever noticed how sometimes you can handle stress like a pro, but other times the smallest thing sends you spiralling?

Or maybe you’ve experienced moments where you feel completely numb and disconnected, like you’re watching your life from the other side of a two-way mirror?

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone – and there’s actually a really helpful framework that explains what’s happening.

It’s called the window of tolerance, and understanding it can be a game-changer for managing your emotions and feeling more in control of your responses to life’s ups and downs.

[Read more…] about Understanding Your Window of Tolerance: The Key to Emotional Regulation