COMPARING PANDAS/PANS AND TRADITIONAL OCD

AGE OF ONSET:
PANDAS/PANS: Average age of the initial onset of PANDAS is 6.5 years old
TRADITIONAL CHILDHOOD OCD: Typically see first onset between 8–18 years old

COURSE OF ILLNESS:
PANDAS/PANS: Relapsing-remitting course with dramatic, abrupt exacerbations of OCD and comorbid symptoms
TRADITIONAL CHILDHOOD OCD: Waxes and wanes with modest changes in severity

COMORBID SYMPTOMS:
PANDAS/PANS: Symptoms accompanying OCD may include restrictive eating, motor abnormalities, sensory sensitivities, depression, urinary symptoms, and more
TRADITIONAL CHILDHOOD OCD: OCD cycles between obsessions that cause anxiety and compulsions to reduce it. Most common comorbidities are generalized anxiety and depression

TYPE OF ONSET:
PANDAS/PANS: Acute and dramatic onset
TRADITIONAL CHILDHOOD OCD: Gradually more severe over time

TREATMENT:
PANDAS/PANS: Symptoms may remit with symptom severity based treatments such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, or IVIG. Therapy to assist with symptom management is also recommended
TRADITIONAL CHILDHOOD OCD: Effective treatments include SSRI’s and CBT/ERP therapy. No significant improvements with treatments such as antibiotics or IVIG