“Every day we see more and more patients coming to us with disorders including Pediatric Acute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS). And just as often, these same patients and their families have been shunted from one clinic to another in search of a proper diagnosis and treatment. For despite the many decades of quantifiable research for PANS and PANDAS, so many physicians still do not understand the breadth of these illnesses or in some instances or in some cases, they just refuse to acknowledge their existence.”
The fact is that we need more awareness and more education about these diagnoses in order to provide the most help for these children and, in some instances, young adults who have never received an accurate assessment. In this day and age of modern medicine, we simply cannot continue along this path and must do better for our patients.” ~ Dr. Suzanne Gazda Neurologist and member of the state of Texas PANS Advisory Council 2020-21 |
The MindWell Center for PANS & PANDAS represents (#) combined years of firsthand experience in the treatment of these related diagnoses that starts with identifying the root cause of the condition. Our clinical staff includes physicians, nurses, nutritionists, occupational therapists and other health professionals who are more than familiar with the diverse presentation of PANS, PANDAS and similar disorders.
Our comprehensive facility also makes available onsite infusion services for IVIG and other recommended protocols, provided in a warm and welcoming environment that makes it more comfortable for both patients and family members or attending caregivers.
How do these conditions manifest symptomatically?
Estimated to occur in 1 in 200 children, PANS and PANDAS are autoimmune-induced, inflammatory conditions that result when an infection or some other invasive trigger spurs the body to turn on itself and attack structures in the brain. This can result in sudden or subacute neuro-psychiatric changes that includes, but are not limited to:
Generally, PANDAS is now considered to be a subset of the broader classification, PANS, both of which are acute-onset disorders that afflict children of many ages and with a broad range of symptoms. It’s called “acute onset” because the associated behavior changes come on very suddenly, reaching full-scale intensity within 24 to 48 hours. Given the disparity of symptoms and the rate at which they manifest, many children are often misdiagnosed as having psychiatric disorders. Subsequently they do not receive the appropriate treatment in a timely manner or are prescribed psychiatric medicines that actually can exacerbate symptoms.
So how do we approach treatment? Learn more about our protocols.
Our comprehensive facility also makes available onsite infusion services for IVIG and other recommended protocols, provided in a warm and welcoming environment that makes it more comfortable for both patients and family members or attending caregivers.
How do these conditions manifest symptomatically?
Estimated to occur in 1 in 200 children, PANS and PANDAS are autoimmune-induced, inflammatory conditions that result when an infection or some other invasive trigger spurs the body to turn on itself and attack structures in the brain. This can result in sudden or subacute neuro-psychiatric changes that includes, but are not limited to:
- sudden onset of severe obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- tics including motor tics, hair pulling,
- extreme and ongoing anxiety
- eating restrictions or anorexia
- behavioral regression and other symptoms
- mood swings and behavioral changes
- sleep problems
- behavioral or developmental regression
- decline in school performance
- withdrawal from traditional activities
Generally, PANDAS is now considered to be a subset of the broader classification, PANS, both of which are acute-onset disorders that afflict children of many ages and with a broad range of symptoms. It’s called “acute onset” because the associated behavior changes come on very suddenly, reaching full-scale intensity within 24 to 48 hours. Given the disparity of symptoms and the rate at which they manifest, many children are often misdiagnosed as having psychiatric disorders. Subsequently they do not receive the appropriate treatment in a timely manner or are prescribed psychiatric medicines that actually can exacerbate symptoms.
So how do we approach treatment? Learn more about our protocols.