PANS/PANDAS
It is estimated that 1 in 200 children or young adults has PANS/PANDAS. This is a relatively new diagnosis credited primarily to Dr. Susan Swedo and her team of researchers working for the Institute of Mental Health. They were working with 50 cases of children who developed sudden onset obsessive-compulsive disorders following streptococcal infections in 1998. (Source)
PANS stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. This condition may be preceded by some type of infection or autoimmune response that is non-streptococcal in nature.
PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections. As the name states, this condition seems to be preceded by some sort of strep infection.
PANS/PANDAS is often misdiagnosed and mistreated. It may be seen as some other psychiatric disorder and managed accordingly, which generally does not yield good long-term results.
The onset of either syndrome is typically quite sudden. Some parents have said that it was like a switch had been flipped in their child, resulting in a variety of symptoms such as severe anxiety, obsessions, compulsions, sleep disturbances, very restrictive food intake, tics, emotional dysregulation, and sometimes paranoia and hallucinations.
But be aware that not all cases of PANS/PANDAS show up “overnight.” Sometimes it may be somewhat gradual in its onset.
The commonality between PANS and PANDAS is the evidence of brain inflammation and an elevated autoimmune response. In both conditions, the heightened inflammation and immune response are likely responsible for the behavioral and cognitive struggles that accompany PANS/PANDAS.
The kiddos struggling with this are not intentionally acting out or emotionally reactive. They are responding in regards to what is physically going on inside their bodies. The symptoms and struggles are there as signs of unaddressed underlying physiological issues.
Having this happen to an otherwise healthy child can be very scary and worrisome for the child’s family. In our traditional care system, help is very limited. Sometimes parents find that health professionals are not aware of PANS/PANDAS or don’t believe that it exists.
Thankfully, there is a tremendous amount of help and hope for children and young adults struggling with symptoms associated with PANS/PANDAS. I believe that God created our bodies to heal themselves. We see evidence of it every day. People heal from terrible accidents, injuries, and toxic exposures. Many children are healing from conditions that were supposedly irreversible. See several cases here.
If your child exhibits signs of PANS/PANDAS or if your child has an actual diagnosis of PANS/PANDAS, I would hop to it. Get help from someone trained in providing support for children and young adults to reduce inflammation, assist the body’s detoxification system, calm the nervous system, and help the body return to a healthier immune response.
Find a practitioner with experience dealing with the possible triggers associated with PANS/PANDAS. Some of the triggers may include:
Lyme-related illness, co-infections like Babesia and Bartonella
Mycoplasma infections
Epstein-Barr or other viral-type infections
Environmental toxins – chemicals, toxic metals, mold, mycotoxins, etc.
Bacterial infections such as strep (PANDAS)
Whether or not you get an official diagnosis of PANS/PANDAS doesn’t really matter. What matters is that you know your child. If you can see that something has significantly changed with their behavior, cognitive function, and/or ability to manage their emotions, then take steps to look for the underlying root causes.
The bottom line is to not delay getting the help you need to support your child’s natural detoxification system, nervous system, and immune system in a way that is best suited to their particular case.
Supporting their detoxification system can reduce inflammation, enhance cognitive function, strengthen the immune system, and promote overall physical and emotional well-being. All of which can help kiddos who struggle with issues associated with PANS/PANDAS begin to heal.
Consider applying for MISSION RESTORE: a healing program for children with chronic health issues like PANS/PANDAS. It provides the guided support that parents of children with chronic health issues are looking for, using targeted nutrition and supplements customized to meet each child’s needs. Find more information here.
Blessings in your journey to help your child enjoy the brightest future possible,
--Anita
Disclaimer: Beyond Brain Integration LLC does not diagnose, treat, or cure any illnees, disease, disorder, or ailment. All information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your licensed health professional for all health related issues.
