Anxiety and OCD Behaviours in Kids: Could It Be PANS?
Anxiety and OCD Behaviours in Kids: Could It Be PANS?
It can feel frightening and confusing when a child who has always coped well suddenly becomes anxious, clingy or starts displaying compulsive behaviours. Parents often tell me their child has changed overnight or that they no longer recognise their confident little person.
While anxiety and OCD can have many causes, one important explanation that is often missed is PANS.
PANS (Paediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) is a condition where the immune system affects the brain, leading to sudden-onset anxiety, intrusive thoughts and behaviours that do not make sense for the child’s personality.
If your child’s anxiety or OCD behaviours came on suddenly, this article will help you understand why and what you can do next.
What Makes PANS-Related Anxiety Different?
Parents often describe:
Panic attacks over small things
Separation anxiety that was never there before
Intense fears about germs or contamination
Constant reassurance seeking
Difficulty coping with change or transitions
These fears are not choice based.
They are a sign of a brain that feels unsafe.
Children may say things like:
“I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“I feel scared and I don’t know why.”
These phrases are important clues.
What Do OCD Behaviours Look Like in PANS?
OCD behaviours often appear suddenly and may include:
Repetitive hand washing or cleaning
Needing to repeat actions until it feels “right”
Refusing foods due to fear of contamination
Compulsions that lead to distress if interrupted
Fixating on harm coming to self or others
The child is not trying to misbehave.
They are responding to a neurological stress signal.
What Causes This Sudden Brain Shift?
In PANS, the immune system is triggered by something such as:
Strep bacteria (PANDAS)
Mould exposure and mycotoxins
Viruses like flu or COVID
Gut inflammation or food intolerances
Chronic stress or poor sleep
The immune system then mistakenly affects the basal ganglia in the brain, which controls:
Anxiety response
Compulsions and motivation
Emotional regulation
The result:
Your child’s brain is reacting as if they are in danger.
PANS Is Often Misdiagnosed
Children may be labelled as:
ADHD
Autism traits
General anxiety disorder
Behavioural issues
But the sudden onset pattern is what sets PANS apart.
What Leading Doctors Want Parents to Know
Clinicians like Dr Nancy O’Hara and Dr Jill Crista stress that:
Sudden anxiety or OCD in children is not a behavioural problem
It is immune-driven brain inflammation
Early intervention improves the chance of full recovery
They encourage parents to trust their intuition, especially when changes feel drastic.
How a Naturopath for PANS Can Help
A naturopath like me can support children by:
Investigating immune triggers like mould or strep
Supporting gut healing to reduce inflammation
Using herbal medicine to calm anxiety and improve sleep
Providing nutrients that reduce brain inflammation
Helping the nervous system feel safe again
Healing begins when we understand the root cause and calm the whole system gently.
Learn more about my approach to children’s health:
https://www.botanicartisan.com.au/childrens-herbal-medicine-naturopathy
A Gentle Word for Parents
You are not imagining this.
Your child is not choosing these behaviours.
Their brain is overwhelmed and asking for support.
Many children recover beautifully once the right help is in place. There is so much hope.
Book a Free Discovery Call
If you are worried that sudden anxiety or OCD behaviours may be linked to PANS, I would love to help you explore the next steps.
With care,
Ayelet
