PANDAS/PANS is a neuropsychiatric syndrome that is characterized by an acute onset of OCD symptoms. It is often accompanied by other mental health symptoms such as anxiety, verbal or motor Tics, sensory amplification, rage, poor emotional regulation, motor abnormalities, behavioral regression, ADHD symptoms, deterioration in school performance, depression, food issues, urinary symptoms and/or sleep disturbances. It typically appears in children; however, it has been diagnosed in adolescents.

PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is often related to Lyme disease, other tic-borne illnesses, mold, allergies, etc.

PANDAS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) is related to strep infection.

What is it?

resources

Providers who treat PANDAS/PANS:

  • Dr. Steven Zarembka, ND

  • Dr. Julianne Forbes, ND

  • Peggy Ouellette, NP

  • Dr. Greenspan, ND (New Hampshire)

  • Dr. Green, ND (New Hampshire)

OCD Treatment Providers

  • Dr. Lee Fitzgibbons, PhD

Helpful books:

  • Demystifying PANDAS/PANS, by Nancy O’Hara

  • In a Pickle Over PANDAS, by Melanie Wiess

  • Helping Your Child with OCD: A Workbook for Parents of Children with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, By Lee Fitzgibbons and Charlene Pedrick

  • Childhood Interrupted: The Complete Guide to PANDAS and PANS, by Beth Alison Maloney

My families’ journey

My eldest son contracted Lyme at about 3 years old. The onset of PANS was difficult to detect at the time, as most 3 year old’s all have similar symptoms of PANDAS/PANS! He wanted things his way, threw tantrums, worried, had difficulty sleeping, wet the bed, was hyper, was a picky eater, regressed, and had sensitive senses.

Our pediatrician was amazing and helpful, but we really needed someone who specialized in treating PANDAS/PANS. Practitioners who specialize in this disorder are hard to find and can be expensive due to insurances often not covering treatments. My personal opinion is that a functional medicine practitioner is the most effective way to go when seeking treatment of PANDAS/PANS for your child.

Psychotherapy can be helpful for the child and family. I often provide supportive therapy for families struggling with PANDAS/PANS. If your child has significant OCD symptoms, it is best to seek treatment from a provider who specializes in OCD and can provide an empirically based treatment such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)