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Demystifying PANS/PANDAS: A Functional Medicine Desktop Reference on Basal Ganglia Encephalitis [Print Replica] Kindle Edition

4.7 out of 5 stars 55 ratings

See the child’s behaviors in a whole new light.

Demystifying PANS/PANDAS is a unique and long overdue resource in the field of pediatric neurobehavioral health, providing a comprehensive overview of the “three-pronged approach” to assessment and care, conventional and naturopathic interventions, a trove of case studies, and plenty of clinical pearls along the way.

Even more importantly, this book provides a roadmap for practitioners and families feeling confused and isolated by this condition, empowering them to make better decisions and sparking a greater conversation about this devastating illness.

Time and time again, I heard:

“I walked into the next exam room to greet a family I had known for years, an 11-year-old boy who was bright, funny, articulate, and confident, now huddled in the corner of the room, trying to resist rocking his neck in what seemed like a mini choreic movement. He and his parents looked terrified, and I was horrified. “What happened?” I asked. The parents said two days ago he had awoken like this and for the first time he had wet the bed and his covers were everywhere. I asked all the usual questions; Any signs of abuse, any antecedents of depression, any drugs or medications? All no’s and his exam, except for the movements and “the deer in the headlights look,” was normal. What was this? What didn’t I see? What could we do? As a practitioner for 25 years, I was stumped. Could this be that PANDAS thing about which I had vaguely heard? Where could I get answers?”
—Dr O’ Hara’s MD Mentee

“My daughter had recurrent sore throats as a young child, but nothing I ever felt was too concerning. After a significant strep infection in middle school, she was instantly a changed person. One day, she’s an honor student and star player on a club soccer team, and the next, she’s begging us to sleep in our bed, as she’s frightened to be alone at night. Her brain function deteriorated abruptly, and she mentally, socially, and physically regressed to her elementary school years.”
—PANDAS Parent

“After traveling home from vacation, my son contracted a virus. A few days later, his behavior became obsessive and aggressive, a far cry from the carefree and fun-loving boy I knew. He constantly needed to wash his hands and had a vocal tic that sounded like incessant clicking. It’s as if it happened overnight. It seemed like a bomb went off in his brain, not knowing what to do or who to turn to. I was scared.”
—PANS Parent

Does any of this sound familiar? As a practitioner or a parent, you are not alone.

About 1 in 200 children in the United States is affected by a condition resulting in inflammation in the brain, triggered by exposure to an infectious or metabolic agent.

Better known as PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) or PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus), these issues can be challenging diagnoses to receive, as some clinicians have never heard of it, they don’t believe it exists, and have no training on how to manage it

There is hope! From a pediatrician with nearly thirty years of experience in neurobehavioral health and functional medicine comes a desktop reference on this controversial yet critical and treatable condition. Geared toward physicians and all practitioners but also helpful for families,
Demystifying PANS/PANDAS is a comprehensive and concise dive into Basal Ganglia Encephalitis, walking the reader through the journey of its abrupt onset, diagnosis, and treatment with functional and allopathic medicine. Join Dr. Nancy O’Hara as she discusses how to work within the current medical framework to achieve simple and effective ways to overcome the pitfalls and roadblocks on the path to wellness.
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B8BC6XFR
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 15, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 15.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Format ‏ : ‎ Print Replica
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 55 ratings

About the author

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Nancy O'Hara
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Dr. Nancy O’Hara is a board-certified Pediatrician. Her career is dedicated to caring for children with neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric issues. Prior to her medical career, Dr. O’Hara taught children with autism. She graduated with highest honors from Bryn Mawr College and as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She earned a master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. After residency, chief residency and general pediatric fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. O’ Hara entered general private practice in 1993, and in 1999 began her consultative, integrative practice solely for children with special needs. Since 1999 she has dedicated her functional medicine practice to the integrative and holistic care of children with chronic illness and neuropsychiatric disorders such as PANDAS/PANS, BGE, OCD, Lyme, ASD and ADHD. She is also a leader in the training of clinicians, both in the United States and abroad. Beyond being a clinician and teacher, Dr. O’Hara is blessed to be a mom. She lives in Connecticut with her husband.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
55 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book invaluable for understanding PANS/PANDAS, with one mentioning it offers comprehensive references. Moreover, the writing style receives positive feedback, with customers describing it as easy to read and superbly written.

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12 customers mention "Information value"12 positive0 negative

Customers find the book invaluable for understanding PANS/PANDAS, with one customer noting its comprehensive references throughout.

"...It's a primer to give parents the tools they need to seek treatment for their children, but perhaps most importantly, it's a guide for practitioners..." Read more

"...A truly comprehensive guide. As a fellow PANS/PANDAS practitioner, I found her treatment flowchart extremely helpful. 5 stars!" Read more

"Very well written and informative. As someone dealing with PANS this resource was very helpful...." Read more

"Beautifully written and easy to read. This informative, engaging, easy-to-understand book explains what you need to know to help heal your child...." Read more

8 customers mention "Writing style"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it easy to read and understand, with one customer noting its step-wise approach.

"This book is supberbly written; it is clear, concise, and packed with practical steps for diagnosing and treating the increasing numbers of children..." Read more

"...for their children, but perhaps most importantly, it's a guide for practitioners who don't know how to help, but want to figure it out...." Read more

"...This book takes you through the journey of healing, and offers a step-wise approach to bring clarity out of the chaos...." Read more

"Very well written and informative. As someone dealing with PANS this resource was very helpful...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023
    This book is supberbly written; it is clear, concise, and packed with practical steps for diagnosing and treating the increasing numbers of children sickened by infections and environmental toxins which can lead to PANS, PANDAS and these complex neuro-immune conditions. Dr O'Hara's experience, wisdom and humanity shine through on each page. And she persuasively lays out her integrative approach which uses antibiotics and IVIG where indicated, but stresses the importance of good diet as foundational, and herbs, supplements, and other non-invasive therapies to help fight infections and modulate the immune system. I have read many books on these and related chronic health conditions and I couldn't recommend this highly enough as a resource for medical practitioners, parents and caregivers seeking to restore our children's health.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2022
    This book is accessible, comprehensive, and a valuable resource for any family struggling with trying to navigate this elusive constellation of medical issues while facing wall after wall after wall in doctor's offices. It's a primer to give parents the tools they need to seek treatment for their children, but perhaps most importantly, it's a guide for practitioners who don't know how to help, but want to figure it out.

    If you are one of the thousands of parents who have trudged from doctor to doctor, only to be dismissed, gaslit, or misdiagnosed to the point of utter insanity, this book will be the salve you need to get up, dust off, pick up your notebook and pen, get back to work, and FINALLY find healing for your child and your family. Dr. O'Hara confirms what you already know... a parent's intuition is almost always right.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2023
    Written with the heart of a loving mother and the savvy of an experienced functional medicine doctor. This book takes you through the journey of healing, and offers a step-wise approach to bring clarity out of the chaos. Case examples help you identify things that may be helpful for your child. A truly comprehensive guide. As a fellow PANS/PANDAS practitioner, I found her treatment flowchart extremely helpful. 5 stars!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 28, 2023
    Very well written and informative. As someone dealing with PANS this resource was very helpful. I would highly recommend this as a reference for any parent, practitioner, or PANS/PANDAS/AE patient to have on hand for quick access. I loved how there are case studies at the end that show different kids' treatment approaches and symptom presentation. I have read many books on this condition and this is one of my favorites! Thanks Dr. O'Hara!
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2022
    Beautifully written and easy to read. This informative, engaging, easy-to-understand book explains what you need to know to help heal your child.  After reading this, our family understood the clearly outlined path we needed to take to keep moving forward and rise above this condition. Educate yourself with Dr. O’Hara’s book and you will have a better understanding of PAN(DA)S. I'm so grateful to have found everything I needed all in one book. It helped to clarify a confusing topic.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2022
    So thankful to Dr O'Hara for writing this guide to treating PANS/PANDAS/BGE and creating a companion mentorship program. More doctors need to be able to recognize the signs and symptoms of PANS so that people can be diagnosed and treated appropriately in a timely manner. Too many suffer because there are not enough PANS literate providers and not enough of Dr. O'Hara to go around. So, this book is critical and should be read by all doctors and mental health professionals.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2023
    Great book. Helpful information. Easy to read. Wonderful author who has real life experience with PANS/PANDAS.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2022
    Thank you Dr O’Hara for putting this all out there. I hope this book gets into the hands of all pediatric doctors so they can become more aware of how to help our children. There are to many kids suffering and not being treated properly. This book was written in a format so that parents can also understand and have direction to help their children.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Nat
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book all about pans / pandas
    Reviewed in Canada on March 8, 2023
    I learned so much from this book , great book to get a much better understanding on pans / pandas and how to heal.

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