PANS and PANDAS are conditions causing inflammation in the brain resulting in neuro-psychiatric symptoms such as OCD, tics, eating disorders and anxiety along with many more. As many of you know our daughter Anna was diagnosed with this condition in December following a difficult and challenging few months. Anna is making progress however she relapses when she has another illness such as a cold or when she comes into contact with someone who is unwell.

There is not yet any NICE guidance on the treatment of this condition so NHS treatment is limited and we have had to seek private treatment for Anna. NHS kept pushing for us to follow the CAMHS route without ever having examined Anna or done blood tests. Thanks to private treatment identifying an ongoing bacterial infection Anna was given 6 weeks of antibiotics which she responded well too and all her symptoms disappeared. Had we not sought private treatment Anna would still be very unwell and awaiting a CAMHS appointment that she no longer needs.

More commonly affecting children, these conditions can be isolating and life changing. PANS PANDAS UK's mission is to ensure speedy diagnosis and effective treatment for sufferers by educating the medical community as well as offering support to sufferers and their families.

For more information please see our website www.panspandas.org.uk