PANS and PANDAS: Support for Children and Families

When Sudden Changes Leave You Searching for Answers

Sometimes, a child’s behavior or personality seems to change overnight. A happy, confident child may suddenly become anxious, withdrawn, or begin showing obsessive or unusual behaviors. As a parent, this can be confusing and frightening. You may find yourself wondering what happened and how to help your child feel like themselves again.

For some families, these symptoms may be connected to PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) or PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections)—conditions that can cause a sudden and dramatic change in a child’s emotions and behavior.

At New Heart Therapy, we provide specialized therapy for children and families coping with the emotional and behavioral challenges of PANS and PANDAS. Our goal is to help your child feel safe, supported, and empowered—and to help your family find stability and understanding through the healing process.

What Are PANS and PANDAS?

• PANDAS occurs when a strep infection triggers an autoimmune response that mistakenly affects areas of the brain involved in behavior, emotion, and movement.

• PANS describes a similar condition that may result from other infections, immune responses, or environmental factors.

These conditions can lead to a sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, often appearing within hours or days.  In some cases, symptoms can wax and wane and the original onset is missed as it is believed to be a developmental stage or associated with illness.

Common Symptoms

Children experiencing PANS or PANDAS may suddenly develop one or more of the following symptoms:

• Obsessive-compulsive behaviors (OCD)
  
  

• Separation anxiety or new fears
  
  

• Sudden mood swings, irritability, or aggression
  
  

• Tics or repetitive movements
  
  

• Sleep disturbances
  
  

• Food restriction or changes in appetite
  
  

• Regression in age-appropriate behaviors
  
  

• Difficulty concentrating or sudden academic decline
  
  

These symptoms can be intense and disorienting for the whole family. Therapy can help you understand what’s happening and provide strategies for coping day-to-day.

How Therapy Can Help

While medical care addresses the physical aspects of PANS and PANDAS, therapy helps children and families manage the emotional, behavioral, and relational effects.

At New Heart Therapy, we take a family-centered, trauma-informed approach that focuses on healing and resilience. In therapy, we help families:

• Develop tools to manage OCD, anxiety, and emotional distress
  
  

• Support children in regulating their emotions and building confidence
  
  

• Strengthen communication and connection between family members
  
  

• Provide parent guidance and coaching for challenging behaviors
  
  

• Collaborate with medical providers, psychiatrists, and schools for comprehensive care
  
  

Our approach blends evidence-based practices and family-based support—so both the child and family can move toward healing together.

A Family-Centered Approach to Healing

When a child is struggling, the whole family feels the impact. Parents often experience fear, confusion, and exhaustion, while siblings may feel left out or worried.

In our work together, we focus on:

• Rebuilding a sense of safety and stability at home
  
  

• Understanding and responding to emotional or behavioral changes
  
  

• Reducing stress and supporting parental well-being
  
  

• Strengthening the family’s ability to cope and connect
  
  

You don’t have to go through this alone. Therapy can help your family feel more grounded, informed, and hopeful.

Working Together with Your Care Team

PANS and PANDAS often require a multidisciplinary approach. We’re happy to collaborate with:

• Pediatricians and specialists managing the medical treatment plan
  
  

• Psychiatrists for medication evaluation and monitoring
  
  

• School staff to ensure academic and emotional accommodations
  
  

This coordinated care helps your child receive consistent, compassionate support across all settings.

Helpful Resources

If you’re looking to learn more about PANS and PANDAS, these trusted organizations offer education, advocacy, and family support:

• Northwest PANS and PANDAS Network

• PANDAS Network

• PANDAS Physicians Network

• Aspire 

• International OCD Foundations Pans/Pandas

• National Institute of Mental Health – PANS and PANDAS
  
  

Podcasts

• Demystifying Pans and Pandas Podcast by Dr. Nancy O'Hara

• Untangling PANDAS & PANS: Conversations about Infection-Associated, Immune-Mediated Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Documentaries

• Stolen Childhood

• My Kid is Not Crazy: A Search for Hope in the Face of Misdiagnosis

You’re Not Alone

Watching your child change so suddenly can be one of the hardest experiences a parent faces—but there is hope. With the right combination of medical care and therapeutic support, many children recover and return to thriving.

At New Heart Therapy, we are here to help you and your child navigate this journey with compassion, clarity, and care.

Serving families in person in Bellingham, Washington  and telehealth therapy options within Washington state to make support accessible and flexible for your family’s needs.

Get in Touch

If you believe your child may have pans/pandas and you’re seeking guidance, I’d be honored to support your family.

📞 Call: (360) 218-4115
💬 Email: andrea@newhearttherapy.com
📅 Schedule a Consultation: 

Together, we can help your child feel safe, supported, and strong again.