PANS & PANDAS Treatment in Brookline, MA
PANS and PANDAS are conditions in which children experience a sudden and significant change in behavior, mood, or functioning, often following an infection or immune response. Families may notice abrupt onset of anxiety, obsessive behaviors, emotional changes, or a rapid decline in daily skills.
Dr. Annabel Kuhn has worked with the Massachusetts General Hospital Pediatric Neuropsychiatry and Immunology Program and provides expert evaluation and treatment of PANS and PANDAS. Her approach is grounded in evidence-based medicine and begins with a comprehensive psychiatric assessment integrated with careful review of medical history and relevant laboratory data.
Because symptoms can develop quickly and may overlap with other medical or psychiatric conditions, careful evaluation is needed. Dr. Kuhn’s practice is available to support families who are seeking specialized psychiatric care for concerns related to PANS or PANDAS.
Meet Dr. Kuhn
Dr. Annabel Kuhn is a board-certified psychiatrist who completed her residency and fellowship at Harvard Medical School. She maintains a limited patient panel to ensure availability, responsiveness, and a consistently high level of care.
Learn More →Understanding PANS & PANDAS
PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) are conditions in which infections trigger a sudden and dramatic onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in children. While PANDAS is specifically associated with streptococcal infections, PANS encompasses a broader range of infectious triggers.
A hallmark feature of these conditions is the rapid onset of symptoms—often going from nonexistent to severe over the course of days to a week. This is vastly different from typical OCD and other psychiatric disorders, which tend to have a more gradual onset. Accurate diagnosis requires careful attention to the temporal relationship between infection and symptom emergence.
Signs & Symptoms
Dr. Kuhn's Approach to PANS & PANDAS
Care is highly individualized and emphasizes interventions supported by the best available scientific evidence. Treatment may include evidence-based psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as judicious medication management to address OCD and related neuropsychiatric symptoms when clinically appropriate.
Dr. Kuhn works closely with your child's pediatrician or primary care clinician to ensure coordinated, conservative, and medically sound decision-making, including thoughtful consideration of antibiotic treatment when indicated. Her concierge model ensures direct access and responsive communication throughout treatment.
Educational Resource
Dr. Kuhn contributed to the CME article for Episode 147 of the Psychiatry & Psychotherapy Podcast, featuring experts from the MGH PANDAS Clinic discussing diagnosis, treatment, and the latest research on PANS and PANDAS.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between PANS and PANDAS?
PANDAS specifically refers to cases triggered by streptococcal infections, while PANS is a broader term that includes neuropsychiatric symptoms triggered by various infections or other inflammatory processes. Both share the hallmark feature of sudden, dramatic symptom onset.
How is PANS/PANDAS diagnosed?
Diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation including psychiatric assessment, detailed medical history, and review of laboratory data. Dr. Kuhn carefully interprets findings in the context of symptom onset and clinical course, looking specifically for the rapid onset that distinguishes these conditions from typical OCD.
Does Dr. Kuhn prescribe antibiotics for PANS/PANDAS?
Dr. Kuhn works closely with your child's pediatrician or primary care clinician to coordinate care, including thoughtful consideration of antibiotic treatment when indicated. Treatment decisions are made collaboratively with the broader medical team.
What treatments does Dr. Kuhn provide?
Treatment may include evidence-based psychotherapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy, as well as medication management for OCD and related neuropsychiatric symptoms when clinically appropriate. Care is highly individualized based on each patient's presentation.
What should I expect at the first appointment?
The first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation including psychiatric assessment and careful review of medical history and any available laboratory data. Dr. Kuhn will assess symptom onset and clinical course to inform diagnosis and treatment planning. Visit our Payment & Fees page for details on appointment types and pricing.
Is telehealth available for PANS/PANDAS treatment?
Yes. Dr. Kuhn offers telehealth appointments, providing convenient access to care. However, initial evaluations for complex cases may benefit from in-person assessment.
What areas does Dr. Kuhn serve?
Dr. Kuhn sees patients in-person in Brookline and the Greater Boston area, including Somerville, Brookline, and surrounding communities. Telehealth appointments are available for patients throughout Massachusetts.
Ready to Schedule a Consultation?
Dr. Kuhn is accepting new patients in Brookline and the Greater Boston area.
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