ADANTA - Sudden behavioral change can be linked to PANS / PANDAS
By Tracie R . Horton , CEO / Executive Director The Adanta Group
PANS / PANDAS is a clinical diagnosis given to children who have a dramatic – sometimes overnight- onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms including obsessions / compulsions or food restriction ( refusing to eat certain or all foods ). PANS refers to Pediatric Acute Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome while PANDAS is short for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal-A Infections . According to Stanford Medicine Children ’ s Health , children are often diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder ( OCD ) or an eating disorder , but the sudden onset of symptoms separates PANS / PANDAS from the other more commonly known disorders . Unlike in ordinary cases of OCD , which often manifest gradually over an extended period , parents of a child with PANS / PANDAS can often describe the exact day the child suddenly began exhibiting full-fledged symptoms of OCD . In addition , children diagnosed with PANS / PANDAS may have symptoms of depression , irritability , anxiety and have difficulty with schoolwork .
According to the National Institute of Mental Health , scientists conservatively estimate as many as 1 in 200 children may have PANS / PANDAS , with an average age of onset between 4 and 10 years of age . 162,000 cases in the United States alone makes PANS / PANDAS as common as pediatric cancer and pediatric diabetes . PANS and PANDAS are often misdiagnosed and undertreated due in part to a lack of awareness of the condition among both the general and medical community . Both PANS / PANDAS are considered an “ episodic illness ”, meaning symptoms can go away after an infection is treated , but then come back again , in what is called a flare-up or relapse . Symptoms may increase in
severity with every episode , or even last longer than the previous episode . With some children , their symptoms last for months , or even years , and can progressively worsen over time . While this may sound distressing , a flare up does not last forever , and symptoms eventually subside . In fact , some studies suggest that about 95 % of kids will outgrow PANS / PANDAS by adolescence or young adulthood when their immune system fully matures . There is not a 100 % definitive test for PANS or PANDAS . Boys are twice as likely to develop PANDAS than girls .
PANS and PANDAS are closely related , and PANDAS is considered to fall under the umbrella of PANS . To date , PANDAS is the only known subset of PANS , but more causes may be discovered in the future with ongoing research . Both conditions include abrupt onset of symptoms usually within 2-3 days , but PANDAS is associated with streptococcal infection ( like strep throat ) and PANS is associated with other infections , such as influenza , chicken pox , Lyme disease , upper respiratory infection
and an ending list of viruses , including COVID 19 .
Some common symptoms of both are :
• Tics , which can be verbal – such as grunting- jerking of the limbs or head .
• Depression , which can lead to suicidal thoughts and behavior , uncontrollable crying or fear .
• Extreme rage or inability to control anger , breaking items and throwing objects .
• Sleep issues , including lack of sleep or excessive fatigue .
• Bedwetting .
• OCD-like symptoms , such as repetitive actions , fear of germs or developing habits and rituals that must be followed to avoid anxiety and panic .
• Behavioral abnormalities and personality changes .
• Sensory problems , like sensitivity to light and sound .
• Academic skill deterioration and mental regression .
Experts believe PANS / PANDAS happen
30 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky September 2022