Therapists need to be aware of when inflammatory disorders can masquerade as psychiatric conditions
Therapy Today – September, 2024 – Lucy McDonald is a counselor at the Children’s e-Hospital, a journalist, and the co-host with Jo Joyner of the PANS PANDAS Stories podcast (available on most podcast platforms).
‘In our clinical practice, we’re observing an intriguing pattern – certain psychiatric symptoms that appear abruptly might have an immune-mediated origin’ Dr Paul Bain.
“But there is increasing research to show how different mental illnesses are linked
to immune problems. Robert Yolken, a scientist at Johns Hopkins University, estimates that about one-third of schizophrenics show signs of immune disturbance, and autoimmune diseases are more common among schizophrenics and their immediate families than the general population, which could mean a shared genetic vulnerability. Immunological abnormalities have been observed in patients with bipolar disorder and depression, while scientists have noted that certain autoimmune diseases, such as lupus, can be associated with psychosis.It takes around 17 years for research to trickle into clinical practice, so an educational gap exists for many clinicians who may be unaware of advances in the field. …Chances are that therapists reading this will have worked with someone who has PANS/ PANDAS without realising it.”
Lucy McDonald The inflammation Factor – Therapy Today
Gabriella True
