When Your Child Changes Overnight: A Gentle Naturopathic Approach to PANS
Children’s Health • Behaviour & Mood • Immune System Support
I’ll never forget the mum who sat across from me, visibly shaken. “Something’s happened to my son,” she said. “It’s like he woke up one day… and he was a different child.”
Her once confident, creative boy had started refusing to go to school. He was washing his hands until they were raw. Crying if his shoelaces weren’t tied just right. His handwriting — once neat and proud — had suddenly become messy and cramped. Teachers were calling home, saying he couldn’t concentrate, and he’d started getting into trouble for things that would never have bothered him before.
Then came the tics — sharp, repetitive movements in his eyes and neck that seemed to come out of nowhere. He was covering his ears at loud noises, refusing to wear certain clothes because they felt itchy, and clinging tightly to his mum.
“It all started after that fever,” she said. “We thought it was just a virus. But now… I don’t recognise him.”
This is the heartbreaking experience so many families face when their child develops PANS — Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. And while it can be confusing, frightening, and often misdiagnosed, there are gentle, effective ways to support the body in healing.
What is PANS?
PANS is a condition where children experience sudden, dramatic shifts in behaviour, emotions, or physical health — often triggered by an infection, immune stress, or even environmental exposure. These changes are not gradual. They appear almost overnight.
You might notice:
Sudden obsessive behaviours or rituals
Rage, meltdowns, or intense anxiety
Tics, motor changes, or handwriting regression
Sleep disturbance or night terrors
Toileting regression or food refusal
Sensory overload or emotional clinginess
These changes are real — even if test results come back “normal.” They’re the body’s way of saying it needs help.
A Naturopathic Perspective
In clinic, I take a gentle, holistic approach to PANS. We don’t rush or overload. Instead, we support the child’s nervous system, immune system, and gut — the three systems often in distress beneath the surface.
We also focus on three crucial goals:
Protecting the brain from ongoing inflammatory damage
Reducing systemic inflammation to calm the body’s overactive responses
Healing the gut to restore the microbiome, calm the immune system, and support brain health
Rather than aiming to suppress symptoms, we explore:
How is the nervous system coping?
Is there unresolved infection or immune activation?
Is the gut inflamed, leaky, or out of balance?
Are there nutritional deficiencies or toxic burdens affecting the brain?
From there, we create a calm, step-by-step plan that meets your child exactly where they are.Herbal & Nutritional Support
Plant-based remedies and nutrients offer gentle, effective support for children with PANS — especially when chosen carefully for their constitution and symptoms.
Some of the tools I often reach for include:
Chamomile – calming for the nervous system and gut
Passionflower – supports sleep and emotional overwhelm
Magnesium – soothes tension, helps with sleep and sensory overload
Saccharomyces boulardii – supports gut flora and immune regulation
Zinc & vitamin A-rich foods – help modulate immune responses
In cases where a recent infection may be involved:
Golden seal and thyme – gentle antimicrobial herbs
Echinacea – for immune balance and support
Each child’s needs are different. The key is to start slowly, supportively, and only introduce what feels manageable.
Homeopathy for Whole-Child Healing
Homeopathy can be incredibly helpful for children with PANS — especially when emotional or behavioural symptoms are prominent.
Some remedies I might consider include:
Stramonium – for intense fear, night terrors, and clinginess after illness
Cina – for irritability, sensitivity, and signs of gut imbalance
Nux vomica – when children are highly reactive, overstimulated, and unable to wind down
Remedies are selected based on the whole picture — who your child is, what has changed, and how they express their discomfort.
What About Testing?
When needed, we can explore non-invasive testing to help uncover what’s happening beneath the surface. These tools can guide and personalise your child’s care — especially when symptoms are complex or persistent.
Some of the testing options I may suggest include:
Comprehensive microbiome testing – to assess gut bacteria, inflammation, yeast, or parasites
Nutrient testing – including iron, zinc, B12, and vitamin D levels
Food sensitivity screening – if digestive symptoms or behavioural changes seem food-related
HTMA (Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis) – to assess mineral imbalances and heavy metal exposure, which can affect mood, behaviour, and detoxification
Testing isn’t always necessary — but when used thoughtfully, it can help us connect the dots and take the guesswork out of care.
Rhythms That Restore
When a child is overwhelmed or dysregulated, re-establishing gentle rhythms helps create a sense of safety and calm. These small habits can deeply support their healing.
Suggestions I often offer:
A warm, protein-rich breakfast (like eggs or chia pudding)
A few minutes of outdoor time before school
Nutrient-dense snacks after school (e.g. bliss balls, veggie sticks, boiled eggs)
A screen-free unwind period in the afternoon
Foot soaks or warm baths with magnesium flakes
A consistent, unhurried bedtime routine with quiet connection
These daily anchors become a safe container in a world that may suddenly feel unpredictable.
A Story from the Clinic
One family I supported had a 10-year-old girl — previously confident, social, and thriving in school. After a mild viral infection, her world shifted dramatically.
She began experiencing sudden, involuntary movements — rapid eye blinking and neck jerks that were both distressing and exhausting. Her once neat handwriting became nearly illegible, and she started avoiding schoolwork she used to enjoy. She developed intense fears, insisting on repetitive rituals like checking locks multiple times before bed, and became extremely sensitive to certain fabrics, refusing to wear clothes that previously posed no issue.
Her parents were bewildered and concerned. "It's like she became a different child overnight," her mother shared.
We approached her care gently and holistically. We focused on:
Calming her nervous system with herbal remedies like chamomile and passionflower.
Reducing inflammation through an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
Healing her gut by introducing probiotics and eliminating potential dietary triggers.
Supporting her emotionally with homeopathic remedies tailored to her specific fears and sensitivities.
Over several weeks, her tics diminished, her anxiety lessened, and her joyful spirit began to reemerge. Her parents reported, "We're starting to see glimpses of our daughter again."
A Gentle Word
If you feel like something has changed in your child — and no one is listening — trust your knowing. You know your child. You know when something’s not quite right.
PANS is real. And while it can feel big and scary, there are gentle, effective ways to support your child’s healing.
You don’t have to do it all at once. You don’t have to do it alone.
Ready to Support Your Child’s Healing?
If your child is struggling with emotional overwhelm, behavioural shifts, or post-illness changes, I’d love to walk alongside you. In a naturopathic consultation, we explore the full picture — and create a personalised plan that brings relief in steady, manageable steps.
Book a Children’s Naturopathy Consultation
Let’s gently bring their spark back — together.
With warmth and care,
Ayelet x
