Feeling stuck in toxic relationships as an autistic, AuDHD, or ADHD adult—constantly people-pleasing, doubting your reality, or feeling like you are "too much" or "too sensitive"? In this episode of Adulting With Autism, therapist, coach, and author Shannon Petrovich joins to talk about toxic relationships, trauma bonds, and boundaries for neurodivergent adults.​

Shannon, author of Out of the FOG Into the CLEAR and creator of the TherapistTalks channel on YouTube, explains why many autistic and sensitive people are vulnerable to manipulation and gaslighting. She breaks down common red flags—guilt-tripping, blame-flipping, love-bombing, and chronic minimization of your feelings—and how to start trusting your own perception again.​

We explore what trauma bonds are, why leaving can feel almost impossible, and how to use journaling and reality-checking to untangle "love" from harm. Shannon shares practical tools for rebuilding self-worth and setting boundaries in small, doable steps, along with simple nervous system supports like movement, nature, and grounding to help you feel safer as you make changes.​

This episode is especially helpful if you:

• Wonder whether a relationship is "toxic" or if you are just "overreacting"
• Have a history of narcissistic abuse, chronic gaslighting, or intense people-pleasing
• Are learning to set boundaries for the first time as an autistic or AuDHD adult

If this conversation supports you, follow/subscribe to Adulting With Autism on YouTube, Apple, or Spotify, and leave a 5-star review so more neurodivergent adults can find it. Share the episode with someone you are worried about or a friend who is also unpacking toxic dynamics.

Merch for your healing journey: Get 20% off journals, tees, and "Boundary Boss"–style merch with code PODCAST26 at the Adulting With Autism Fourthwall shop (Linktree). Your support helps keep this podcast free for the community.

Resources mentioned:

• Out of the FOG Into the CLEAR by Shannon Petrovich
• Shannon's resources at therapytalks.com