PANS, PANDAS, & Lyme
What are PANS, PANDAS, & Lyme?
Etiology
PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) are conditions characterized by the sudden onset of severe psychiatric symptoms such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, and behavioral changes in children. PANS is triggered by various factors, including infections, metabolic disturbances, or other inflammatory reactions, while PANDAS is specifically associated with streptococcal infections, where the body’s immune response to the infection mistakenly targets brain tissue, leading to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Lyme Disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through tick bites, can also lead to significant psychiatric symptoms when it affects the nervous system, known as neuroborreliosis. Symptoms can include severe mood changes, anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments.
Mental Health
These conditions intersect with psychiatry because they present primarily with acute psychiatric symptoms, despite having underlying infectious or autoimmune etiologies. Psychiatric manifestations like OCD, anxiety, mood disorders, and behavioral changes can be debilitating and significantly impair daily functioning. Best practice guidelines suggest that psychiatric treatment is an essential part of the management for patients with PANS, PANDAS, and Lyme disease. Effective psychiatric care, including therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and appropriate medication management, is crucial in addressing the neuropsychiatric symptoms, improving patient outcomes, and enhancing overall quality of life. Collaboration with neurologists and immunologists is also important to address the underlying medical causes, ensuring comprehensive and integrated care.
Our Approach
At The Anxiety Center, we specialize in treating the psychiatric symptoms of PANS, PANDAS, and Lyme disease with a comprehensive and collaborative approach. Following the best practice guidelines by the PANDAS Physician Network we provide expert psychiatric care. Our services include evidence-based therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and medication management for PANS, PANDAS, and Lyme disease. We collaborate closely with neurologists and immunologists to ensure coordinated care that addresses both psychiatric and medical components of these conditions. By personalizing treatment plans for PANS, PANDAS, and Lyme disease, we aim to reduce symptoms, improve functioning, and enhance quality of life. Our holistic approach emphasizes individualized care, family support, and continuous monitoring for the best patient outcomes.
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The disorders that we treat
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