My Head Is Not My Own
My Head is Not My Own written by Libby, age 13 my head is not my own and i feel so alone i think that i am losing it i’m...
Personal Stories
Trapped In My Own Body: My Life Experience With PANDAS/PANS
PANDAS affected every relationship in my life. I argued more with my friends and my brothers. There were days when no one wanted to be around me, and I don’t blame them. I didn’t understand why I...
Emma’s Story: When PANDAS Steals Childhood
Our daughter Emma is turning ten. Her birthday happens to fall on October 9 — which is also PANDAS Awareness Day. I don’t think there’s anything more ironic than that. Because for the past year...
When Inflammation Is Dismissed: B’s Battle with PANS and Tick-Borne Co-Infections
When Inflammation Is Dismissed: B’s Battle with PANS and Tick-Borne Co-Infections Acute neuroinflammation can be life-changing—and it’s appalling when providers dismiss these symptoms as...
Restricted Eating and Misdiagnosis: Sophie’s Journey with PANS
When severe food restriction and complex symptoms are mistaken for FND, proper evaluation is crucial. When Sophie got the flu at age 12, she didn’t expect it would mark the...
Sudden Changes Overnight: A Family’s Journey with PANDAS
When a child’s behavior changes dramatically overnight, early recognition can make all the difference. This 6-year-old daughter woke up with sudden, severe contamination OCD, separation anxiety,...
Finding Answers Against the Odds: One Family’s Journey with PANS
When your child declines rapidly and no one believes you—trusting your instincts can save the day. Countless calls to pediatricians and child psychologists led nowhere. No one believed her symptoms...
Sweet & Sassy McKenzie’s Story
McKenzie hasn't officially been diagnosed with PANDAS by her pediatrician, as we are in the early stages; however, no one can convince me otherwise. My family's life has been completely turned upside...
Penelope’s Story Started with a Tick Bite
One year ago, Penelope was bitten by a tick, marking the beginning of our journey to uncover the truth. When she showed me the characteristic bull's-eye bite, I initially mistook it for a spider...
Something Doesn’t Feel Right: Evelyn’s PANDAS Story
Evelyn’s intrusive thoughts, rage, and vomiting fears were finally linked to strep and a PANDAS diagnosis. Evelyn’s challenges began early with fears of vomiting, panic attacks, aggression, and...
When Everything Changes Overnight: A Parent’s Journey Through PANS/PANDAS
Read more about one family’s story and what PANS/PANDAS really looks like, written by ANAD Community Member and ASPIRE’s Midwest Lead and Restricted Eating Lead, Breanne Failor One day, your...
When Overnight Everything Changed: A Parent’s Perspective on PANS/PANDAS
Sometimes what looks like an eating disorder is really a symptom of PANS/PANDAS. Too many families miss the real cause and go without the help their kids need. That’s why we’re so glad @F.E.A.S.T...