Lyme & PANS/PANDAS
What are Lyme & PANS/PANDAS
Chronic disease, adrenal fatigue, autoimmune disorders, Lyme, Tick-Borne Disease, and PANS/PANDAS are all on the rise due to culmination of factors – both genetic and environmental.* Unfortunately, many mental health providers lack the training to identify medical sources of psychiatric and neurocognitive symptomatology. We specialize in supporting those with chronic disease, Lyme Disease, Tick-Borne Disease, and PANS/PANDAS. Our staff all have a high level of training, so individuals and families can feel assured that they are in a safe and nurturing environment that provides expert care and psychoeducation. We offer a variety of therapies and services to help those experiencing neurocognitive, neuropsychiatric, and physical issues related to chronic disease. Through the use of a variety of therapies and techniques, we are able to bring symptom relief and aid in disease management.*
PANS stands for Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. This is when an infectious trigger makes the child's immune system go haywire. Infections such as sinus infections, allergies, pneumonia, Lyme, and environmental triggers can trigger inflammation in a child’s brain and cause debilitating symptoms.
PANS/PANDAS is a relatively new diagnosis in the medical world. Teachers, mental health, and medical professionals have not entirely accepted it and often blame it on a psychological issue. Even some pediatricians are unfamiliar with the symptoms. That means getting the right help is a significant obstacle to healing. If we can’t even recognize this medical issue properly, then kids and families suffer even more.
clinical guide:
Clinical Guide: Lyme & PANS/PANDAS
Even some pediatricians are unfamiliar with the symptoms. That means getting the right help is a significant obstacle to healing.
PANS, or Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, is a clinical disorder resulting in sudden symptoms such as OCD, including intrusive thoughts, compulsive behaviors, ritualistic behaviors, or disordered eating after an infection, multiple infections, or toxic trigger that results in inflammation.
CASE STUDY:
Case Study: Lyme & PANS/PANDAS
14-year old girl diagnosed with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)
Maya is a 14 yr-old-girl with a history of numerous infectious diseases, including Lyme, Bartonella, streptococcus, Epstein-Barr, and mold exposure. She had a normal, uncomplicated birth and a normal childhood with no known attentional, learning, behavioral, or emotional issues.
How are PANS and PANDAS the same?
Children with PANS and PANDAS share many of the same symptoms. The primary way PANS and PANDAS are the same, even though they are two different disorders, is that they have a sudden onset of neuropsychiatric and neurocognitive symptoms
What are the Common PANS/PANDAS Symptoms in Children and Teens?
PANS/PANDAS and AE symptoms can significantly impact a child's daily functioning ability, leading to difficulties at home, school, and social settings. Unfortunately, these disorders are often misdiagnosed, leaving children and their families struggling to understand the cause of their symptoms.
- Obsessions (Perfectionism, fear of contamination, fear of choking, vomiting, etc.)
- Compulsions (Checking, repeating, Washing/Cleaning)
- Severe Eating Restriction (Avoidant of particular foods, fear of contamination, loss of appetite) – Anxiety (General anxiety, separation anxiety)
- Depression (Emotional lability/Mood Swings)
- Aggression (talk and actions)
- Behavioral Regression (Developmental regression, Tantrums)
- Sensory and Motoric Abnormalities
- Changes in handwriting
- Somatic Symptoms (Bladder/bowel functioning)
Note: Symptom presentation/severity can differ from patient to patient
Be on the lookout for:
- Look for the common signs and symptoms associated with early or late-stage Lyme/Tick-Borne Disease, AE, and infectious disease.
- Look for a sudden change in behavior or cognitive, social, or physical functioning, especially after a known infection or case of Lyme or a tick bite.
- Infectious disease can create new symptoms or exasperate what was already there.
- Patients may develop cognitive and psychiatric problems from the disease either early or many months or years after the initial infection, especially with Tick Borne.
- There can be a waxing or waning of symptoms.
Our Science-backed Solutions
How can Neurofeedback help?
Individuals with pans/pandas often display overactivity in their brain wave functioning. They are especially prone to overthinking or repetitive thinking that results in a looping pattern in brain wave functioning (hyper coherence). Neurofeedback reduces these overactive brain waves to help retrain the brain and therefore reduce anxious symptoms.
How can Biofeedback help?
For those with pans/pandas, their entire nervous system is overstimulated. This heightened arousal state can produce physical and emotional symptoms. Biofeedback is designed to help the Central Nervous System (CNS) to calm down so one can self-regulate. One is therefore more in control of their CNS and not as easily flooded with stress, anxiety, and emotions.
How can counseling help?
We bridge neuroscience with clinically proven and effective, holistic therapies. Research has shown that some individuals with heightened levels of pans/pandas may not be as responsive to traditional talk therapy. We combine traditional talk therapy with effective techniques that more directly impact the subconscious, such as, EFT/Tapping, hypnosis, somatic therapy, play therapy, art therapy, etc.
Latest Blog on Lyme & PANS/PANDAS
Latest Podcast on Lyme & PANS/PANDAS
Why Dr. Roseann for Lyme & PANS/PANDAS?
Dr. Roseann is a Psychologist who works with children, adults and families from all over the US supporting them with research based and holistic therapies that are bridged with neuroscience.
Dr. Roseann is a Board Certified Neurofeedback (BCN) Practitioner and is a Board Member of the Northeast Region Biofeedback Society (NRBS) and Epidemic Answers.
She is also a member of the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR) and The Association of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB).
Here’s What Children and Families Are Saying About Working With Us!
Need help with Lyme & PANS/PANDAS for your child and family?
We’ve helped over 10,000+ children, teens, and young adults find relief, calm the brain, and lead healthy lives. If you’re worried that your current path is not getting to the bottom of the issues…all you need to do is fill out our solution matcher. We’ll let you know which of our solutions is right for your child and family.
