Here's an interesting article published by the New York Times last May. Reporter Lisa Belkin explores the research surrounding Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Streptococcal Infection, or PANDAS for short.


The article describes how researchers have discovered cases of sudden onset OCD in children may be linked to strep infections. And that by use of long-term antibiotics, the children's OCD symptoms improve.

This theory is controversial for sure, and the article does an awesome job of covering all sides.

Experts in the field estimate that over one million US children suffer from OCD. That is an amazing statistic. And the researchers working on PANDAs believe that many, many of them acquired the disease because of a biological trigger -- an infection.

Hmmm...the field of neurology and psychiatry is so interesting. And so pertinent to parents of children with emotional disorders. What accounts for our children's disorders -- environment, genetics, life experiences, or infections or other physiological reasons? I keep telling my older children that neurology is medicine's final frontier and if they are looking for an occupation -- that would be a good one. (Ok, part of my ulterior motive is a rich doctor in the family and someone to help with LuLu's issues!)

But seriously, linking bacteria to mental illnesses is huge. Much like the theories behind the Defeat Autism Now! movement, it links our physiology with our mental health in ways not widely understood. It definitely puts a different spin on mental illnesses and extreme behaviors -- and will hopefully yield new treatments and new answers for troubled children and their families.

To learn more about PANDAS -- visit the National Institute of Mental Health's (NIMH) official website.