When Your Child Changes Overnight: A Parent’s Guide to PANS, PANDAS, and Pediatric Mental Health
Reading Time: 4 minutes PANS and PANDAS are real, recognized pediatric conditions in which the immune system, often triggered by a common infection like strep, causes a sudden shift in a child’s behavior and mental health. They are diagnosable, they are treatable, and the AAP formally published clinical guidance in 2025. In this week’s post, Dr. Marie walks parents through what to look for, how diagnosis works, and the layered treatment approach (antibiotics when needed, evidence-based therapy, and SSRI management) that gives children the best chance at relief.
