
The PANDAS Puzzle: How Doctors Diagnose This Complex Condition
Unravel the PANDAS puzzle. Learn about PANDAS diagnosis, symptoms, strep triggers, and how doctors identify this complex condition.
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Unravel the PANDAS puzzle. Learn about PANDAS diagnosis, symptoms, strep triggers, and how doctors identify this complex condition.

Was your child doing just fine and then one day, they’re angry, anxious, or stuck in rituals that came out of the blue? It’s scary when things shift so sudden and fast. But what you’re seeing isn’t “bad behavior” – it’s a dysregulated brain. In kids with PANS/PANDAS, this dysregulation is caused by an infection or toxin. What is PANS/PANDAS?

I see how devastating and disorienting it can be when your child suddenly changes, leaving you grappling with behaviors and emotions that seem to have appeared out of nowhere. For families facing Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS), the stress can feel relentless. The fear, isolation, frustration, and lack of clear

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes PANS and PANDAS have a lot in common, but when it comes to treatment, understanding the differences is essential. Parenting a child with one of these conditions can feel like navigating a maze of misinformation, especially when reliable answers are so hard to find. As a fellow PANS mom, I understand the frustration, fear, and

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes As a mom of a child with PANS, I know how terrifying it feels when your child suddenly starts to behave differently overnight. Understanding what a flare looks like and the underlying causes is one of the vital steps to managing it. For the parents in my one-to-one program or for those that got my

If you’re parenting a child who’s recovering from Lyme disease, it can feel like a long road of trial and error. The fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and mood swings don’t always disappear with antibiotics alone. That’s because chronic Lyme affects the brain, immune system, and nervous system—and that means a brain-based, body-wide recovery plan matters. Herbs can be powerful allies.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Watching your child change overnight is terrifying. As a mom to two neurodivergent kids—one with PANS—I know the heartache, confusion, and desperation that can come with this journey. The good news? Low-dose Naproxen has made a real difference for many of the families I support. It helps calm the inflammation in the brain triggered by

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Is your child struggling with sudden, overwhelming symptoms that seem impossible to control? For families dealing with PANDAS, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment offers a beacon of hope, helping to reset the immune system and bring much-needed relief. What is PANDAS? PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) is a sneaky subtype of Pediatric

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Mold toxicity is often overlooked in worsening PANS/PANDAS symptoms, and as a parent who’s been there, I get the struggle. Mold spores trigger inflammation in sensitive immune systems, making neurological symptoms harder to manage. More families are realizing mold doesn’t just affect the home—it also prevents healing. Addressing this is key to supporting your child’s

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes When your child has PANS or PANDAS, school can feel like a daily battle. The sudden onset of anxiety, OCD, or tics can derail their ability to focus, learn, and even feel safe in the classroom. As a parent, watching them struggle to keep up—while others expect them to function like nothing’s wrong—can be heartbreaking.

Unravel the PANDAS puzzle. Learn about PANDAS diagnosis, symptoms, strep triggers, and how doctors identify this complex condition.

Was your child doing just fine and then one day, they’re angry, anxious, or stuck in rituals that came out of the blue? It’s scary when things shift so sudden and fast. But what you’re seeing isn’t “bad behavior” – it’s a dysregulated brain. In kids with PANS/PANDAS, this dysregulation is caused by an infection or toxin. What is PANS/PANDAS?

I see how devastating and disorienting it can be when your child suddenly changes, leaving you grappling with behaviors and emotions that seem to have appeared out of nowhere. For families facing Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) or Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections (PANDAS), the stress can feel relentless. The fear, isolation, frustration, and lack of clear

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes PANS and PANDAS have a lot in common, but when it comes to treatment, understanding the differences is essential. Parenting a child with one of these conditions can feel like navigating a maze of misinformation, especially when reliable answers are so hard to find. As a fellow PANS mom, I understand the frustration, fear, and

Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes As a mom of a child with PANS, I know how terrifying it feels when your child suddenly starts to behave differently overnight. Understanding what a flare looks like and the underlying causes is one of the vital steps to managing it. For the parents in my one-to-one program or for those that got my

If you’re parenting a child who’s recovering from Lyme disease, it can feel like a long road of trial and error. The fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and mood swings don’t always disappear with antibiotics alone. That’s because chronic Lyme affects the brain, immune system, and nervous system—and that means a brain-based, body-wide recovery plan matters. Herbs can be powerful allies.

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes Watching your child change overnight is terrifying. As a mom to two neurodivergent kids—one with PANS—I know the heartache, confusion, and desperation that can come with this journey. The good news? Low-dose Naproxen has made a real difference for many of the families I support. It helps calm the inflammation in the brain triggered by

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Is your child struggling with sudden, overwhelming symptoms that seem impossible to control? For families dealing with PANDAS, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment offers a beacon of hope, helping to reset the immune system and bring much-needed relief. What is PANDAS? PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) is a sneaky subtype of Pediatric

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes Mold toxicity is often overlooked in worsening PANS/PANDAS symptoms, and as a parent who’s been there, I get the struggle. Mold spores trigger inflammation in sensitive immune systems, making neurological symptoms harder to manage. More families are realizing mold doesn’t just affect the home—it also prevents healing. Addressing this is key to supporting your child’s

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes When your child has PANS or PANDAS, school can feel like a daily battle. The sudden onset of anxiety, OCD, or tics can derail their ability to focus, learn, and even feel safe in the classroom. As a parent, watching them struggle to keep up—while others expect them to function like nothing’s wrong—can be heartbreaking.
The effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment vary by patient and condition. Dr. Roseann Capanna-Hodge, LLC does not guarantee certain results.