Do You Suspect PANS? Mental Health Resources for Next Steps

When a child suddenly develops severe OCD, anxiety, tics, rage, food restriction, or dramatic behavioral changes seemingly overnight, families and clinicians are often left searching for answers. 

Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) and PANDAS are complex, frequently misunderstood conditions in which neuropsychiatric symptoms may be linked to inflammatory or post-infectious processes. Early recognition and informed intervention can make a meaningful difference.

This dynamic roundtable discussion features three experienced mental health professionals alongside a physician from the Stanford Immune Behavioral Health Clinic & Research Program (formerly Stanford PANS Clinic.) Together, this interdisciplinary panel offers practical insights into the emotional, behavioral, and medical complexities of caring for children with suspected PANS/PANDAS.

Viewers will learn to recognize hallmark clinical features of PANS, including sudden-onset OCD and other commonly associated symptoms supported in current research. The panel also explores the medical component of care, including infection management, immune evaluation, and coordinated treatment planning across providers, schools, and families.

Beyond diagnosis, this conversation emphasizes hope and real-world strategies for healing. Viewers will learn how psychotherapy can support recovery after medical stabilization, including evidence-informed approaches such as Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for persistent OCD, anxiety, and related symptoms. Whether you are a therapist, physician, educator, or parent seeking answers, this informative webinar offers collaborative perspectives and actionable tools you can apply right away. 

Discussion Takeaways:

• Identify core clinical features of PANS by naming at least three neuropsychiatric symptoms linked in research to Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome and recognizing its association with inflammatory or post-infectious processes.
• Explain the medical component of care by describing the role of infection management, immune evaluation, and interdisciplinary coordination in the assessment and treatment of suspected PANS/PANDAS.
• Select and describe one evidence-informed psychotherapy intervention (e.g., Exposure and Response Prevention) appropriate to implement after medical stabilization to address persistent OCD, anxiety, or related psychiatric symptoms.