Is Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) considered to be an OCD-type disorder?
Yes. It can be thought of more broadly than that as well. A group based at the National Institute of Mental Health, led by Susan E. Swedo, MD, were pioneers in studying this and came up with the acronym. PANDAS syndrome is particularly siginificant in children. Some case studies indicate it could happen in adults too, but it is primarily thought of as a childhood disorder. It specifically effects prepubescent children who develop a very explosive sudden onset of neurologic symptoms following a streptococcal infection. They may have had mild OCD, but when they get a strep infection there is a huge increase in symptoms. These symptoms may then disappear as they recover from the infection and their immune system goes back to normal. It is thought to be an autoimmune mechanism. This as a really interesting subgroup of OCD. There is certainly a lot of evidence that some children have experienced worsening or perhaps onset of their symptoms associated with streptococcal infections. The epide
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