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 The next — they’re panicked, aggressive, withdrawn, or suddenly afraid of everything.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 mistakenly attacks the brain, often triggered by infections like strep, Lyme, or even mould.
This autoimmune brain inflammation in children is now recognized as a key mechanism behind the dramatic behavioural shifts.
The result? Sudden, drastic changes in behaviour, emotion, and function. These children may wake up one day a different person, with OCD, rage, anxiety, food refusal, or regression.
It’s often misunderstood. Many families are told “it’s just behavioural” or “psychological.”
Here at BalanSoul, we explore the root causes—not just the labels.
Root Causes and Contributing Factors
PANS/PANDAS is rarely caused by just one factor. It’s often the result of a perfect storm — combining infections, immune dysfunction, environmental stressors, and genetic vulnerabilities. That’s why every case needs a custom approach based on what’s actually driving the child’s symptoms.
Infections
Triggering the Immune Response
- 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)
Immune Dysregulation & Autoimmunity
When the Immune System Targets the Brain
- Elevated anti-neuronal antibodies
- Positive Cunningham Panel (e.g., CaMKII)
- Mast cell activation (MCAS)
- Allergies, food sensitivities, histamine intolerance
💬 “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
- 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
Genetic & Epigenetic Vulnerabilities
Why Some Kids Are More Susceptible
- 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 after an illness, vaccine, mould exposure, or emotional trauma.
Many parents ask: can infections cause OCD or rage in children? With PANS and PANDAS, the answer is yes.
- Sudden onset OCD or food restriction
- Rage attacks, aggression, or panic
- Tics or unusual motor movements
- Separation anxiety or clinginess
- Regressive behaviours (e.g., handwriting, academics)
- Sleep disturbances and night waking
- Frequent urination or bedwetting
- Light, sound, or texture sensitivities
- Cyclical flares every 4 weeks
Here’s a quick visual summary of key red flag symptoms that may indicate PANS or PANDAS:
| Symptom | Description |
| Rage Attacks | Sudden, unprovoked outbursts |
| OCD | Hand-washing, rituals, checking |
| Tics | Sudden, repetitive movements or sounds |
| Sleep Issues | Insomnia, night terrors, reversal of sleep cycles |
| Anxiety | Separation fears, social withdrawal |
| Regression | Loss of motor skills or toilet training |
Can infections cause OCD in children?
Yes. In PANS/PANDAS, infections can trigger autoimmune inflammation in the brain, leading to abrupt onset of OCD-like behaviours.
What It Feels Like to Live With PANS or PANDAS
“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.”
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.
Testing & Functional Investigations
These are the core PANS functional medicine tests we use to guide individualized treatment plans.
You don’t need a formal PANS/PANDAS diagnosis to work with us. Many children present with overlapping symptoms even without a label — and we treat the child, not the acronym.
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
Treating the Brain by Healing the Body
At BalanSoul, we don’t aim to suppress symptoms — we work to restore balance at the root level. Our protocols for PANS and PANDAS focus on calming neuroinflammation, rebalancing immune and gut function, and gently regulating the nervous system. Everything is tailored to your child’s unique biochemistry, triggers, and sensitivities.
Functional Testing to Personalize Care
We begin by assessing the biological terrain. Accurate, child-friendly tests help us identify the hidden causes behind your child’s symptoms.
- 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)
Nutritional & Herbal Interventions
Once we understand the terrain, we nourish and repair. Specific nutrients and botanical formulas can support the immune system, gut lining, and brain health — often with powerful results.
- 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)
Targeted Immune Modulation
Rather than suppressing immunity, we help modulate it — calming the storm without weakening your child’s defences.
- 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
We support the child behind the symptoms, not just the biology. PANS/PANDAS is traumatic — for child and family alike. Nervous system healing is essential.
- 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
What Makes Our Approach Different?
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.
