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Can therapy help children with PANS/PANDAS?

  • littlebirdhousethe
  • 6 days ago
  • 2 min read


This is a question many parents ask—and it’s completely understandable.

PANS and PANDAS are medical conditions, and therapy does not treat the underlying cause, which may involve the immune system or inflammation in the body.

However, therapy can play a really important role in supporting your child with the emotional and behavioural impact of what they are experiencing.


Why therapy can still help

Children with PANS/PANDAS often experience:

  • OCD behaviours

  • Tics

  • Anxiety or panic

  • Emotional overwhelm

These are the same difficulties that many children experience outside of PANS/PANDAS—and we have well-established, evidence-based ways of supporting them.

Approaches such as:

  • ERP (Exposure and Response Prevention) for OCD

  • CBIT for tics

  • ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) for managing difficult thoughts and feelings

can help children feel more in control, less distressed, and better able to cope.


Treating the symptoms, while understanding the bigger picture

Even when symptoms may have a physical or medical trigger, they still affect how a child feels, thinks and responds.

Therapy focuses on:

  • Reducing distress

  • Supporting emotional regulation

  • Helping children respond differently to urges, fears or sensations

  • Building confidence and resilience


A flexible and individual approach

For some children, symptoms may come in waves or “flares.”

During more intense periods, therapy may focus more on:

  • Emotional support

  • Feeling safe and understood

  • Reducing overwhelm

At other times, children may be more able to engage in structured approaches such as ERP or CBIT.

Support is always adapted to your child’s needs in that moment.


Working together

The most helpful support often involves a combination of:

  • Medical guidance where appropriate

  • Therapeutic support for emotional and behavioural symptoms

  • Parent support to help you feel confident in how to respond


A hopeful message

While therapy cannot “cure” PANS/PANDAS, it can make a meaningful difference.

Children can learn to:

  • Feel less overwhelmed

  • Understand what is happening in their body and mind

  • Develop ways to cope with anxiety, OCD and tics

  • Feel more confident and supported


 
 
 

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