When your child changes overnight, it's not “just a phase.”
PANS/PANDAS is a sudden-onset neuropsychiatric condition that can change a child's behavior, mood, or habits almost overnight, often after an infection like strep throat. Sudden-onset OCD, tics, anxiety, or behavioral changes can be alarming and confusing. We help families understand what's happening and find a path forward.
Schedule a ConsultationTwo conditions, one sudden shift
PANDAS is triggered specifically by strep infections, while PANS is a broader diagnosis that can follow other infections or triggers. Both describe a sudden, dramatic shift in a child's neuropsychiatric symptoms, not a gradual change parents can see coming.
These presentations are frequently misunderstood or dismissed elsewhere. If you've felt like your child changed and no one believed you, you're not imagining it, and you're not alone. Our in-depth PANS/PANDAS guide covers the research and diagnostic criteria in more detail.
This isn't just clinical territory for us, it's personal.
One of our own team members has a son with special needs who came down with strep throat, the way so many kids do. He was treated, the strep cleared, but something else didn't. In the weeks after, his anxiety turned into something none of us had seen in him before, not the typical worry or obsessive behavior families often describe with PANS/PANDAS, but something quieter and harder to name. He paced back and forth for hours. He couldn't settle into sleep, staying up long after the rest of the house had gone quiet. He drummed his fingers, banged pencils, tapped blocks together again and again, like his body couldn't find stillness no matter what he tried.
It took time and a lot of listening before we connected it back to that strep infection. Once he was properly diagnosed and treated, the change was real: his immune system settled, his anxiety eased, the pacing and banging faded, and his gut health improved too. Watching one of our own families go through that, and come out the other side, is part of why we take these sudden shifts so seriously in every child who walks through our door. We know how disorienting it is to watch your child change in ways you can't explain, because we've lived it too. If this sounds like your family, read more about what sudden overnight changes can mean.
Signs to watch for
Every child is different, but these are some of the changes families have described to us, some familiar, some less talked about.
How we help
Comprehensive intake
We look closely at infection history and immune function, not just the symptoms in front of us.
Integrative testing
We coordinate functional and integrative lab work to understand what's driving the change.
Individualized planning
Every child's treatment plan is built around their specific triggers and needs.
Ongoing monitoring
PANS/PANDAS symptoms can fluctuate, so we stay closely involved over time.
Frequently asked questions
How is PANS/PANDAS diagnosed?
There's no single test. We look at the timing and pattern of symptom onset alongside infection history, immune markers, and a full clinical picture.
What does a first visit look like?
We start with a detailed history of when and how things changed, followed by targeted testing to help confirm what's driving your child's symptoms.
Can PANS/PANDAS symptoms come back?
Yes, symptoms can flare with new infections or illness. That's why ongoing monitoring is part of our approach, not just an initial diagnosis.
Is PANDAS the same as PANS?
Not exactly. PANDAS is triggered specifically by a strep infection, while PANS is a broader diagnosis that can follow other types of infections or triggers. Both describe the same kind of sudden, dramatic symptom onset. This distinction is supported by research published via the National Institutes of Health.
Does PANS/PANDAS always involve OCD?
No. While sudden OCD-type behaviors are common, PANS/PANDAS can also appear as new tics, separation anxiety, sleep disruption, repetitive movements, or a sudden regression in skills, not textbook OCD in every child.
When should I reach out to GAIP about possible PANS/PANDAS?
If your child's behavior, mood, or habits changed suddenly, especially after an illness like strep throat, and it doesn't feel like a typical developmental phase, it's worth having it evaluated.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
If your child has changed in ways that don't add up, we're here to help you understand why, and what to do next. We proudly serve families in Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Marietta, Sandy Springs, and across Metro Atlanta, with telemedicine visits available for families who prefer to meet virtually.
Schedule a Consultation