S2 Episode 8: The Misdiagnosed Epidemic: Is it Behaviour… or is your Child’s Brain under Attack? with Dr Nancy O’Hara
Welcome to My Mighty Quinn
If you’ve ever been told your child is “just anxious,” needs firmer discipline, or is simply wired differently — this episode could change everything.
Because sometimes, it’s not “just behaviour.” It’s not ADHD. It’s not autism. It’s your child’s immune system attacking their brain.
I sit down with Dr Nancy O’Hara — world-renowned paediatrician and functional medicine expert — to expose the truth about PANS, PANDAS, and Basal Ganglia Encephalitis: immune-driven brain conditions that are more common than most realise, often misunderstood, and frequently misdiagnosed.
This is personal. My son Quinn has PANS. I’ve lived the overnight personality shifts, the fear, the school calls, the tics, sleep terrors, and seizures. If you’ve ever looked at your child and thought, “This isn’t my child anymore,” this conversation will meet you there — and offer grounded hope.
Summary
Dr O’Hara and I unpack what PANS and PANDAS truly are, how they differ from typical mental health conditions, and why so many children are missed. We explore symptoms like sudden OCD, anxiety, tics, regression, sleep and eating changes, and even seizures. Dr O’Hara explains how infections, mould, and toxins can trigger these conditions — and why this isn’t “bad behaviour,” it’s brain inflammation.
We also cover diagnosis, treatment, and the vital role of parental self-care and advocacy. I share my journey with Quinn — the heartbreak, the healing, and the fierce love it takes to fight for answers.
Key Takeaways
PANS, PANDAS are underdiagnosed, not rare. They’re immune brain conditions that can cause extreme changes in mood, behaviour, and function.
If your child suddenly develops OCD, anxiety, tics, food refusal, bedwetting, rage, or sleep issues — don’t brush it off.
Common triggers include infections, mould, toxins, stress, and family history of autoimmunity.
Testing can help, but clinical history matters most.
True healing needs a three-pronged approach
Parental stress is inflammatory too. Your nervous system affects theirs — which is why self-care and co-regulation are essential, not optional.
Resources
Demystifying PANS / PANDAS by Dr Nancy O'Hara
Free Quick Start Guide to PANS
Resource Links:
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