Natural Treatment for PANS/PANDAS: A Functional Medicine Approach to Childhood Neuroinflammation
One day your child is fine. The next — they’re panicked, aggressive, withdrawn, or suddenly afraid of everything.
At BalanSoul, we help families decode the medical mystery of PANS/PANDAS with compassion, testing, and root-cause support.
Struggling with sudden mood changes, rage outbursts, OCD, or tics in your child — seemingly overnight?
You’re not imagining it. And you’re definitely not alone.
At BalanSoul, we offer natural treatment for PANS and PANDAS using integrative psychiatry, functional lab testing, and root-cause care. This includes natural support for childhood OCD and tics through nutrition, herbal therapies, and nervous system regulation.
🍃 Worried your child might have PANS or PANDAS?
Book your free 15-minute discovery call — let’s talk about what’s going on and how we can support your child.
What Is PANS/PANDAS?
PANS (Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections) are conditions where the immune system becomes dysregulated and triggers inflammation in the brain, often after an infection (such as strep), and sometimes after other immune stressors like Lyme, viruses, or mould exposure.
And here’s what makes it so frightening for families:
Symptoms can appear suddenly — sometimes overnight — with dramatic changes in mood, behaviour, and functioning. A child may seem like a different person, experiencing OCD, panic, rage outbursts, tics, food refusal, sleep disruption, or regression.
If you’ve been told it’s “just behavioural” or “just psychological,” you’re not alone.
At BalanSoul, we look for the root causes — not just the labels.
Now, let’s look at what actually drives it…
Root Causes and Contributing Factors
PANS/PANDAS is rarely caused by one factor alone. It’s often the result of a perfect storm — combining infections, immune dysregulation, inflammation, environmental stressors, and underlying vulnerabilities.
In other words: the symptoms are real — and they usually have identifiable drivers.
That’s why we look at what’s actually triggering your child’s neuroinflammation and nervous system disruption — so support can be targeted, personalised, and measurable.
Let’s break that down…
Infections
Triggering the Immune Response
In many children, PANS/PANDAS begins after an infection that primes or misdirects the immune system, leading to inflammation that affects the brain and nervous system.
Common infectious triggers include:
- Group A strep (strep throat)
- Lyme disease and coinfections (Babesia, Bartonella — especially linked to rage episodes in children)
- Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
- Herpes viruses (HSV-1, HSV-6)
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae
- Mold exposure (including mycotoxins)
Why this matters:
In susceptible children, antibodies created to fight infection may mistakenly target brain tissue, triggering sudden neuropsychiatric symptoms.
This is often the spark that starts the fire…
Immune Dysregulation & Autoimmunity
When the Immune System Targets the Brain
In PANS/PANDAS, the issue is often not just the infection itself, but how the immune system responds — or fails to switch off afterward.
This may include:
- Elevated anti-neuronal antibodies
- Positive Cunningham Panel (e.g., CaMKII)
- Mast cell activation (MCAS)
- Allergies, food sensitivities, histamine intolerance
Instead of calming down after the threat has passed, the immune system remains stuck in attack mode, sustaining neuroinflammation and behavioural symptoms.
💬 “We’d been told it was behavioural. But when we found the root cause — and started treating the inflammation — everything changed. It felt like getting our child back.”
Environmental & Biological Stressors
The Hidden Triggers That Add Fuel to the Fire
Beyond infections, many children with PANS/PANDAS are burdened by additional stressors that overload detoxification and inflammatory pathways.
These may include:
- Heavy metals (lead, mercury)
- Mold toxicity and water-damaged buildings
- Nutrient deficiencies (zinc, B12, D, iron)
- Gut dysbiosis and intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
- Birth trauma, vaccine stress, EMF exposure
⚠️ These factors don’t cause PANS/PANDAS on their own — but they can lower resilience, amplify inflammation, and slow recovery.
This is why a one-size-fits-all approach often fails…
Genetic & Epigenetic Vulnerabilities
Why Some Kids Are More Susceptible
Not every child exposed to infection develops PANS/PANDAS. Underlying genetic and epigenetic factors often influence who is most vulnerable.
These may include:
- MTHFR, COMT, DAO SNPs
- Family history of autoimmune or psychiatric disorders
- Low methylation status (esp. undermethylation)
- Abnormal copper/zinc balance
- Histamine intolerance or overload
Signs & Symptoms of PANS/PANDAS
These symptoms often appear suddenly and dramatically — typically following an infection, illness, vaccination, mould exposure, or emotional trauma.
One day your child is functioning normally.
The next, something has clearly changed.
Many parents ask: Can infections really cause OCD, rage, or anxiety in children?
With PANS and PANDAS, the answer is yes.
Common signs may include:
- Sudden-onset OCD or extreme food restriction
- Rage attacks, aggression, or panic episodes
- Tics or unusual motor movements
- Separation anxiety or intense clinginess
- Regressive behaviours (e.g. handwriting, speech, or academic decline)
- Sleep disturbances, night waking, or night terrors
- Frequent urination or bedwetting
- Sensory sensitivities (light, sound, texture)
- Cyclical symptom flares, often every 3–5 weeks
Here’s the key difference:
These symptoms are abrupt, severe, and out of proportion to the trigger — and they are not explained by typical developmental or psychological models.
Key Red-Flag Symptoms to Watch For
Here’s a quick visual summary of key red flag symptoms that may indicate PANS or PANDAS:
| Symptom | Description |
| Rage Attacks | Sudden, intense, unprovoked emotional outbursts |
| OCD | Hand-washing, rituals, checking, intrusive fears |
| Tics | Sudden repetitive movements or vocal sounds |
| Sleep Issues | Insomnia, night terrors, reversed sleep cycles |
| Anxiety | Separation fears, social withdrawal, panic |
| Regression | Loss of motor skills, speech, or toilet training |
And this is where many families are misled…
Can Infections Cause OCD in Children?
Yes.
In PANS/PANDAS, infections can trigger autoimmune inflammation in the brain, leading to the abrupt onset of OCD-like behaviours, anxiety, tics, or emotional dysregulation.
This is not behavioural defiance — it’s a neuroimmune reaction.
What It Feels Like to Live With PANS or PANDAS
Parents often describe it like this:
“It’s like their personality suddenly disappeared.”
“One day they’re calm, the next they’re in a full meltdown — over something tiny.”
“I see fear in their eyes… but they don’t know why they’re afraid.”
“We’ve seen 10 doctors, and no one believed us — until now.”
“At times it feels like I’ve lost my child… but deep down, I know they’re still in there.”
💔 This experience is frightening, isolating, and exhausting for families.
What Parents Often Say:
“My child isn’t ‘bad’ or ‘naughty’ — they’re scared, overwhelmed, and trapped inside a storm of inflammation. They need help, not punishment.”
“He was afraid to touch anything and washed his hands until they bled.”
“Our family walked on eggshells every day. It felt like something had hijacked her brain.
And this is exactly why punishment, discipline charts, or talk therapy alone often fail…
Testing & Functional Investigations
These are the core functional medicine tests we may use to guide individualized PANS/PANDAS treatment.
You do not need a formal diagnosis to work with us.
Many children present with overlapping symptoms — and we treat the child, not the acronym.
Common investigations may include:
Zinc & Copper levels (plasma + ratio)
Histamine / Methylation Status
Pyrroles (HPL) urine test
MTHFR genetic testing
Cunningham Panel (autoantibodies to dopamine receptors, CAMKII)
Mycotoxin Testing (urine)
Lyme/Bartonella/Mycoplasma panels
GI-MAP or OAT (Organic Acids Test) for gut and mitochondrial health
These are optional but often recommended and interpreted alongside symptoms and clinical history.
Natural & Integrative Treatment Options
At BalanSoul, we don’t aim to suppress symptoms — we work to restore balance at the root level.
Our approach to PANS and PANDAS focuses on:
- Calming neuroinflammation
- Rebalancing immune and gut function
- Gently regulating the nervous system
Everything is tailored to your child’s unique biochemistry, triggers, and sensitivities.
Functional Testing to Personalize Care
Before intervening, we assess the biological terrain.
Child-appropriate functional tests help uncover what’s really driving symptoms.
Depending on presentation, this may include:
- Organic acids testing (OAT)
- Stool microbiome and parasite analysis
- Viral and bacterial antibody panels
- Heavy metal and mycotoxin screening
- Cunningham Panel (for autoantibodies)
- Nutrient profiles (zinc, copper, B12, vitamin D)
This allows us to treat causes — not guess.
Nutritional & Herbal Interventions
Once the terrain is understood, we nourish and repair.
Targeted nutrients and botanical formulas may support immune balance, gut integrity, and brain health, including:
- Omega-3s (anti-inflammatory, cognitive support)
- Zinc, magnesium, B6, and methylation cofactors
- Herbal antimicrobials (olive leaf, oregano, berberine)
- Gut-repairing agents (L-glutamine, colostrum)
- Curcumin and resveratrol (natural neuroinflammation support)
Always individualized. Always monitored.
Targeted Immune Modulation
Rather than suppressing immunity, we aim to modulate it — calming the storm without weakening your child’s defences.
This may include, where appropriate:
- LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone, if applicable)
- Quercetin and vitamin C (mast cell calming)
- Probiotics for immune-microbiome regulation
- Transfer factors or immunoglobulin therapy (case-by-case)
Nervous System Regulation & Emotional Support
PANS/PANDAS is traumatic — for children and families.
Supporting the child behind the symptoms is essential.
We may incorporate:
- Gentle breathwork, tapping (TFT), and vagus nerve exercises
- Guided imagery and trauma-informed counselling
- Sleep support with natural remedies (e.g. magnesium glycinate, taurine)
- Functional movement therapies to improve regulation
👉 When the nervous system settles, everything else responds more effectively.
What Makes Our Approach Different?
We understand that many PANS/PANDAS families arrive exhausted, confused, and unheard.
Our goal is to offer clarity, structure, and hope — without overwhelm.
Your care typically begins with:
- A comprehensive intake and review of your child’s history, symptom timeline, and any existing results
- A clear, personalised plan using natural and functional strategies
- Optional functional testing, only when clinically appropriate
We work step by step — no rushed protocols, no one-size-fits-all care.
You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Book your discovery call to talk through what’s going on and explore next steps.
What To Expect From Working With Us
We understand that many of our PANS clients are medically complex, misdiagnosed, and exhausted. Our goal is to provide answers, clarity, and hope — not overwhelm.
At BalanSoul, we begin with a comprehensive intake, review of your child’s history, symptom timelines, and test results.
You’ll receive a personalized plan with natural interventions, coaching, and functional testing if needed.
We walk with you step-by-step — no rushed protocols, no one-size-fits-all care.
FAQ
How do you know if it’s PANS or regular OCD?
Clinical history, sudden onset, and lab testing help us identify PANS patterns, even without a formal label.
Do I need a formal diagnosis to start?
No. We work with symptom-based patterns, even without an official label.
Can my child stay on medication during this?
Yes — we integrate with your existing team and work respectfully alongside medical care.
Is this suitable for teenagers or adults with PANS-like symptoms?
Absolutely. Many teens and even adults present with post-infectious neuroinflammation that resembles PANS.
Do I need a formal diagnosis before working with you?
No. Many of our clients come to us while still seeking answers. We look at symptoms, case history, and testing to build a tailored approach — with or without a formal label.
