Please upgrade to Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, or Firefox.
Lo sentimos, la página que usted busca no se ha podido encontrar. Puede intentar su búsqueda de nuevo o visitar la lista de temas populares.
A brief overview of the signs and symptoms, and how it's treated
en EspañolThe typical symptoms of OCD—in which a child looks to manage unwanted thoughts or impulses through repetitive rituals such as hand washing and touching things in a certain order—normally come on gradually. But with acute-onset OCD, parents report that symptoms appear “overnight.” There is debate in the medical community over what causes acute-onset OCD and how to treat it.
While researchers originally hypothesized that the symptoms were triggered by a strep infection, hence the name PANDAS, it later became linked to other types of infections, such as Lyme disease, mononucleosis and the flu. The more recent name, PANS, doesn’t specifically link the condition to any cause.
How acute-onset OCD is treated depends on the clinician’s belief as to the cause. If it’s linked to an infection, treatment involves targeting the inciting infection with antibiotics; in severe cases, treatment options include plasmapheresis (the exchange of blood plasma) or IVIG (intravenous immunoglobin), which gives children antibodies from a myriad of donors.
Clinicians who do not accept infection as a cause usually recommend the standard treatments for OCD, including exposure therapy and antidepressant medication.
"*" indicates required fields
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Get updates on our care services in California and resources to support children’s mental health.
"*" indicates required fields
Get exclusive updates on our care services and resources to support children’s mental health.
"*" indicates required fields
Join our weekly newsletter for expert tips, parenting guides, and more.
"*" indicates required fields
Notifications