The Parent S Survival Guide To Pandas Pans

Has your child's personality seemed to change overnight? Has he or she been exhibiting unusual symptoms like tics, obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety, oppositional defiance, aggression or rage? Have you seen other symptoms, which seem unrelated, like a decline in math and handwriting abilities, urinary issues, sensory issues or trouble sleeping? These are trademark symptoms of PANDAS/PANS.PANDAS and PANS are becoming more common in children, yet many in the medical community are unaware of these illnesses and are unable to diagnose and treat them properly. Whether you are just beginning on this journey and attempting to get a proper diagnosis for your child, or have been on this journey for a while and need help coping, The Parent's Survival Guide to PANDAS/PANS will help you navigate the emotional, physical and financial challenges of these illnesses.This parent-friendly handbook is designed to help you:?Recognize what is going on in your child?Learn how to obtain a proper diagnosis?Explore treatment options?Set expectations for your family and others?Gain support and self-care?Learn tips and tricks to help manage day-to-day?Connect with extensive resources?Relate to real, raw stories of others?Understand what it feels like to have the illness from children's firsthand accounts"Deborah Marcus has put her heart and experience into a very comprehensive guide to help parents along a journey that is often riddled with questions and uncertainty. As a clinician who treats many PANDAS/PANS patients, I know this book will help families find answers for their children in a more efficient and educated way." - Jana Roso, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and owner/founder of Neuronutrition Associates"This is an amazing firsthand-experience guide that will help other families that are dealing with this complicated and often misunderstood disorder." - Dr. Denis Bouboulis, Advanced Allergy, Immunology & Asthma P.C.

Having a child who suddenly develops PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep), PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) or related conditions such as encephalitis can be a daunting challenge for parents. This clear guide explains the symptoms and diagnosis of PANDAS and PANS, with treatment options and recommended strategies for supporting children at home, at school, and in community settings. The book covers key symptoms including OCD, tics, anxiety, sensory issues and personality changes, with practical advice on medical management, nutrition, lifestyle, and addressing social and behavioural needs. Each chapter also includes handy sidebars with key information to remember, and action steps for overcoming challenges, managing relapse, family self-care and providing children with the best possible support.

The story of one mother’s fight against the medical establishment to prove the link between infection-triggered PANDAS and her son’s sudden-onset OCD and Tourette syndrome. The summer before entering sixth grade, Sammy, a bright and charming boy who lived on the coast of Maine, suddenly began to exhibit disturbing behavior. He walked and ate with his eyes shut, refused to bathe, burst into fits of rage, slithered against walls, and used his limbs instead of his hands to touch light switches, doorknobs, and faucets. Sammy’s mother, Beth, already coping with the overwhelming responsibility of raising three sons alone, watched helplessly as her middle child descended into madness. Sammy was soon diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and later with Tourette syndrome. Unwilling to accept the doctors’ prognoses for lifelong mental illness and repeated hospitalizations, Beth fought to uncover what was causing this decline. Beth’s quest took her to the center of the medical community’s raging debate about whether OCD and Tourette syndrome can be caused by PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). With the battle lines firmly drawn, Beth searched until she found two cutting-edge doctors who answered that question with a definitive yes. Together, they cured Sammy. Five years later, he remains symptom free.

This book is about a young boy’s journey with a harrowing illness called PANDAS, an acronym for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus. He wakes up one morning, and overnight, is stricken with unusual and frightening symptoms that turn his world upside down. Some of the symptoms he experiences are anxiety & OCD. This happened all because an autoimmune response caused dysfunctional antibodies to invade the basal ganglia of the brain instead of fighting off the streptococcus bacteria. The boy has never even heard of PANDAS. After a long road, filled with doctor visits, blood draws, procedures & surgery, he is finally on the road to recovery. In time, he is able to forget about this harrowing illness. Then, the only PANDAS he knows of are the black and white bears at the zoo. www.PANDAS-DISORDER.com Keywords - PANDAS, PANS, Pediatric, Autoimmune, Neurological, Disorder, Streptococcus, Anxiety, OCD, Antibiotic.

In all branches of medicine, effective communication between health care professionals and patients, families and carers is essential to ensure first-class treatment. Increasing public awareness of health issues and the ready availability of health information have led the public to be more widely informed about common conditions and the treatments available. Patients therefore attend a medical consultation better informed so the need for improved communication skills is even greater. Skill is communication is a matter of personal ability which varies widely between individuals in the medical profession as in any other. In response, the aim of this book is to dispel the anxieties which contribute to poor communication. This book covers ethical and legal issues, planning difficult conversations, the patient's and doctor's perspectives, issues surrounding special groups such as children and the elderly, and coversations with patients from different cultural backgrounds. Outlines of possible clinical cases posing specific problems are included with guidance on how to handle them.

PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Strep) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) occur when an abnormal immune response produces brain inflammation, leading to unusual psychological symptoms in children. Symptoms can include OCD, tics, ADHD, anxiety disorders, sensory issues and marked personality changes. This practical handbook explains how educators can distinguish between these symptoms and pre-existing conditions, and offers strategies for supporting students with PANDAS and PANS in school settings. Contributions from experts provide educators with the understanding needed to be able to collaboratively identify PANDAS and PANS, and carry out effective interventions. As the rate of incidence of PANDAS and PANS increases, this book will be an essential resource for school staff in getting to grips with these complex disorders and overcoming the challenges they present.

Never heard of PANS/PANDAS. You're not alone! Most adults don't hear anything about this mysterious ailment until they personally know a child who struggle to deal with it every day. So, what is PANS/PANDAS? How can you help? Let's talk!