When a Child’s Mind Turns: Recognizing the Invisible Battle of PANDAS

Picture of a boy standing at sunset

Disclaimer

The information provided in this blog post is for educational and awareness purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. PANDAS/PANS and any mental health or medical concerns should always be evaluated by a qualified healthcare professional. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, please seek immediate help by contacting your local emergency services or text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor through the Crisis Text Line.

AASP THEY MATTER does not provide medical treatment, diagnosis, or therapy. Our purpose is to offer education, support, resources, and hope.

It started with something no parent ever expects to hear from their child.

One night, an 11-year-old boy pulled his mother aside and whispered words that would forever change her life: “Mom, I’ve been having thoughts of suicide.”

He wasn’t being bullied. He wasn’t struggling in school. He wasn’t showing signs of depression that anyone could see. Just days earlier, he was laughing, playful, full of imagination — the same child who used to tell silly jokes at the dinner table. But almost overnight, he became withdrawn, tearful, and lost in fears he couldn’t explain.

What his mother, Kristan LeBaron, later discovered would shock her — and awaken thousands of parents around the world. Her son was battling something biological, not emotional.

The hidden culprit: PANDAS.

What is PANDAS / PANS?

PANDAS stands for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections, a subset of the broader diagnosis PANS (Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome).

These conditions occur when the immune system, after fighting off an infection like strep throat, mistakenly attacks parts of the brain—particularly the basal ganglia—causing a sudden and dramatic change in a child’s thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

Unlike gradual mental health conditions, PANDAS strikes fast. Symptoms often appear within 24–48 hours, transforming a happy child into one consumed by anxiety, OCD behaviors, or depression — sometimes even suicidal thoughts.

The Symptoms Few Recognize

Parents describe it like a “light switch” being flipped. One day their child is fine — the next, they’re not.

Common symptoms of PANDAS / PANS can include:

• Sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive behaviors

• Severe anxiety or panic attacks

• Tics or sudden motor/vocal movements

• Mood swings, irritability, or rage episodes

• Food restriction or refusal to eat

• Sleep changes, bedwetting, or regression in handwriting or school performance

• Depression and suicidal ideation

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In Kristan’s case, bloodwork showed elevated strep antibodies and recent signs of a mono infection. Together, they triggered an immune reaction that spiraled into neuropsychiatric chaos. After extensive testing and the help of compassionate doctors, her son was diagnosed with PANS/PANDAS — and treatment began.

Treatment and the Road to Healing

Treatment often involves:

• Antibiotics to clear the lingering infection

• Anti-inflammatory or immune-modulating therapies (like IVIG or steroids)

• Therapy and emotional support to help manage anxiety, OCD, and trauma from the sudden personality shift

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Kristan’s son improved after antibiotic treatment, though she learned relapses can happen — especially with new infections or immune triggers. Still, his recovery was remarkable. The joyful boy she once knew returned.

The Power of a Mother’s Instinct

Perhaps the most powerful lesson from Kristan’s story is this: Trust your gut.

If your child suddenly changes, and you know something deeper is wrong — you’re probably right. Too often, parents are dismissed or told “it’s just anxiety” or “they’ll grow out of it.” But when a child’s mind and emotions shift overnight, something physiological may be happening.

A parent’s intuition is one of the strongest tools in early detection and recovery.

Hope, Awareness, and Action

PANDAS / PANS is still widely misunderstood — even among medical professionals. Families often face confusion, isolation, and judgment. But awareness is growing, and stories like Kristan’s remind us that suicidal thoughts are sometimes the result of immune-triggered brain inflammation, not a child’s will to die.

As advocates, parents, and communities, our job is to listen — not dismiss, not minimize. Behind every behavior is a story. Behind every “bad day” could be a biological storm. And behind every diagnosis, there’s a child who simply wants their life back.

Final Thoughts

No parent should ever face the moment Kristan did — hearing their child whisper that they no longer want to live. But because she listened, because she believed, and because she fought for answers, her son is alive today.

If you take one thing away from her story, let it be this:

Sometimes healing begins when someone finally says, “I believe you.”

References

LeBaron, K. (2020, March 1). PANDAS: The illness behind my son’s thoughts of suicide. Austin Moms.https://austinmoms.com/2020/03/01/pandas-the-illness-behind-my-sons-thoughts-of-suicide/

National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). PANS and PANDAS: Questions and answers.https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/pandas

Swedo, S. E., Frankovich, J., & Murphy, T. K. (2017). Overview of treatment of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 27(7), 562–565. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2016.0148

Murphy, T. K., Kurlan, R., & Leckman, J. (2010). The immunobiology of Tourette’s disorder, pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcus, and related disorders: A way forward. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 20(4), 317–331. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2009.0118

Child Mind Institute. (n.d.). Parents’ guide to PANS and PANDAS.https://childmind.org/guide/parents-guide-to-pans-and-pandas/

PANDAS Network. (2024).

PANDAS/PANS symptoms and diagnosis information.https://pandasnetwork.org/

Williams, K. A., Swedo, S. E., Farmer, C. A., Grant, P. J., & D’Souza, P. (2016). Clinical management of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome: Part II—use of immunomodulatory therapies. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 26(7), 629–639. https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2016.0045

Read More: Is PANDAS Common in Mold Patients? Understanding the Link Between Infection, Inflammation, and Behavior