PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Disorder): When Anxiety is Actually PANDAS

When Camryn's fearless 4-year-old suddenly became anxious, her gut said something deeper was wrong. Multiple "all clear" evaluations followed—until a post-virus crash at age 6 that led to a diagnosis under the PANS/PANDAS umbrella (autoimmune encephalitis). Camryn shares how a steadfast pediatrician, early referrals, and balancing clinical guidance with peer support helped her daughter reclaim everyday life—right down to summer swim league. She also opens up about protecting her child's privacy, supporting siblings, starting trauma therapy, and building margin for joy. This is a masterclass in parental advocacy, nervous-system care, and creating a trusted circle around your child. Y

Resources mentioned

 

• PANDAS Parents (national Facebook community) — peer support and practical tips.
  
  

• ASPIRE (clinical education & navigation for PANS/PANDAS).
  
  

• MomBrain.com — anonymous Q&A platform for moms (Camryn is co-founder).
  
  

• School-based supports (counselor, principal, buddy programs) for siblings.

 

🎉 Special Thank You for Our Listeners! 🎉

We're giving you free access to our most popular pediatric masterclasses — How to Prepare, Support, and Respond to Your Child During Shots, Blood Draws, and Vaccines and How to Use Comfort Positioning in Pediatrics — a $250 value, completely free! All you have to do is leave a written review of the Child Life On Call podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, then email a screenshot of your review to [email protected]. Once we receive it, you'll get instant access to both courses — no strings attached. It's our way of saying thank you for listening and helping more parents discover our show. 💛

 

 

The Child Life On Call Podcast is for informational and educational purposes only. The content shared in each episode, including stories, discussions, and interviews, is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard on this podcast. The views and opinions expressed by guests on the Child Life On Call Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Child Life On Call. Child Life On Call does not endorse any specific medical treatments, procedures, or opinions shared in the podcast. If you or your child are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate medical attention. By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge that Child Life On Call and its affiliates are not responsible for any decisions made based on the information provided.

 

 

Keywords
PANDAS, PANS, autoimmune encephalitis, pediatric anxiety, OCD in kids, basal ganglia inflammation, post-strep, family advocacy, sibling support, pediatrician partnership, trauma therapy, child life, SupportSpot, MomBrain, Austin families