PANS and PANDAS in Kids- Sudden Behavior Changes in Children

Something Every Parent Should Know About Sudden Behavior Changes!

Imagine this: Your child goes to bed one night happy and calm.

The next morning they wake up:

-angry, anxious, obsessive, refusing foods, afraid of germs, unable to focus

They suddenly develop:

-OCD behaviors, rage episodes, school refusal, severe anxiety, bed wetting, picky eating

Most parents are told:

“It’s ADHD.”

“It’s anxiety.”

“It’s behavioral.”

But sometimes…It’s actually brain inflammation from infection or toxins. 

Your child is not broken. Their body is trying to protect them.

Click here to get to the episode now or read below on PANDAS and PANS in children

The Condition Most Doctors Still Miss in Children

In a recent episode of Root Cause Radio, I interviewed Dr. Ebony Cornish, a physician specializing in Lyme disease, autoimmune conditions, and neuroinflammation.

We discussed two conditions that are becoming increasingly common: PANS and PANDAS.

These are autoimmune disorders that occur when infections trigger inflammation in the brain. The result? Sudden psychiatric symptoms.

What Triggers PANS or PANDAS

Many parents are shocked to learn that things like infections or environmental toxins can affect the brain.

Triggers may include:

-Strep infections

-Lyme disease

-Mold exposure

-COVID

-Epstein-Barr virus

-Mycoplasma infections

-Parasites

-Heavy metals

-Potentially any other viral or bacterial infection!

These triggers can confuse the immune system & trigger what’s called “molecular mimicry”.

When that happens, the immune system begins attacking the brain- and in other situations like Hashimoto’s, the thyroid. Or with lupus, the tissues and joints!

I have completed the generation of a scientific illustration for molecular mimicry, which depicts the structural similarities between a pathogen protein and a host cell protein in a medical infographic style.

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Why PANS and PANDAS Get Misdiagnosed

Many children with PANS or PANDAS are diagnosed with:

-ADHD
-OCD
-Depression
-Anxiety

But the real problem is neuroinflammation.

The brain is inflamed, which changes behavior and emotional regulation.

The key sign parents notice is how sudden the change is.

Many parents say:

“My child became a completely different person overnight.”

Mold and Brain Inflammation

One trigger that is often overlooked is mold exposure. Mold produces toxins called mycotoxins, which can affect the nervous system.

Symptoms may include:

-mood swings

-brain fog

-irritability

-anxiety

-depression

-cognitive decline

I personally experienced this with mold toxicity. Severe mold rage!

The brain inflammation is very real, and it can make you feel like you are not yourself.

The Gut-Brain Connection

Another major factor is the gut. About 70% of the immune system lives in the gut, and the gut communicates directly with the brain.

When the gut becomes inflamed, it can trigger:

-immune dysregulation

-neurotransmitter imbalances

-psychiatric symptoms

This is why gut support is a critical part of healing.

Supporting Kids With PANS or PANDAS

While medical treatment is important, lifestyle factors also matter.

Some helpful foundations include:

• reducing processed foods
• limiting sugar
• focusing on whole foods
• supporting gut health
• reducing toxin exposure

But the most important thing?

Work with the child, not against them.

Kids dealing with neuroinflammation already feel overwhelmed.

Progress happens gradually.

The Biggest Takeaway in PANS and PANDAS

If your child develops sudden psychiatric symptoms, it is worth investigating possible medical triggers.

Behavior changes may not be “just psychological.” They may be signals that the immune system is under stress & fighting!!

And when the root cause is addressed, many children improve dramatically.

Your child is not broken.

Their body is trying to protect them.

And sometimes the key to healing is simply asking the right questions.

Want to work with me and get testing done? Click here to learn about my services.

With Love

-Lacey Dunn Holland, MS, RD, LD, CPT