What Is PANDAS?

If you’re concerned that your child may be suffering from PANDAS in Stuart, FL, let Dr. Lisa Rankin and Dr. Melissa Singer at Coastal Integrative Medicine help find a treatment plan to get them back to normal living.

What Exactly Is PANDAS?

PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections, but that probably doesn’t answer your question very clearly. It’s common for children to get strep throat. It’s often passed around schools and daycare centers, and many children end up with the infection more than once.

In most cases, strep throat will run its course and, with medication, your child can be back to normal within about a week. However, sometimes, there are some lingering effects.

For some children, their body has a very different reaction to the infection, which causes some strange – and often scary – changes in behavior. When this occurs, it is known as PANDAS.

Symptoms of PANDAS

Symptoms of PANDAS might not appear suddenly. They often take weeks or possibly a couple of months to show up. These symptoms typically include behavioral changes such as:

  • Depression and even suicidal thoughts
  • Fear and panic attacks
  • Hallucinations, both visual and auditory
  • Separation anxiety
  • Obsessive, compulsive, or repetitive actions
  • Irritability and screaming
  • Constant mood changes
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Refusal to eat
  • Hyperactivity
  • Difficulty focusing or remembering
  • Sensitivity to sound, touch, or light
  • Bedwetting
  • Physical tics or unusual movement
  • Pain in the joints

Some parents also notice a regression in abilities or development. For example, handwriting and other fine motor tasks may worsen. Some children may also appear to be in a near-catatonic state. If you notice your child having any of these symptoms after a recent bout of strep throat, it’s important to visit Dr. Rankin and Dr. Singer at Coastal Integrative Medicine for a full and proper diagnosis.

Is There Any Treatment for PANDAS in Stuart, FL?

Researchers are still working to determine the exact cause of PANDAS, but there is good news. Children who receive therapy and medication for the condition typically make a full recovery.

Don’t fight the PANDAS battle alone. Text (772) 344-1409 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Rankin and Dr. Singer at Coastal Integrative Medicine in Stuart, FL.

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Coastal Integrative Medicine

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