Dr. Kiki Chang is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who co-founded the Stanford PANS Clinic in 2012 and directed Stanford’s Pediatric Bipolar Disorders Program for nearly two decades. In this episode, hosts Krystal Vivian and Angela Henry, LCSW, talk with him about how patients referred for bipolar disorder led him to PANS, and how he approaches treatment: make the right diagnosis, find what is driving the inflammation, treat infection only when it is there, then consider steroids, IVIG, or other immunomodulators.

Dr. Chang also explains why he views the treatment guidelines as a decision tree, how parents can advocate for their child without alienating the care team, and where psychiatric medications fit during a flare. The conversation covers EXPAND, the European PANS/PANDAS advocacy group, the overlap with autism and catatonia, and what we know so far about the microbiome, GLP-1s, and peptides.

RESOURCES:
Surviving The Flares: An Emotional Toolkit For PANS/PANDAS Caregivers — Available wherever you listen to podcasts

Dr. Kiki Chang https://www.kikichangmd.com/ 

Claimable https://www.getclaimable.com/ 

PANDAS Michiana https://pandasmichiana.com/ 

PANDAS Physician Network https://www.pandasppn.org/ 

PANDAS Network https://pandasnetwork.org/understanding-pandas/ 

Angela Henry, LCSW https://angelahenrylcsw.com/services/pandas-pans-ae 

National PANDAS/PANS Youth Alliance https://www.nationalpandasyouthalliance.org/home 

PANDAS PARENTS Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/461708653853619

ASPIRE PANS PANDAS Advocacy, Community & Support Aspire

Neuroimmune Foundation Neuroimmune Foundation | Inflammatory Brain Conditions

Mind Global Council https://www.mindglobalcouncil.com/

OCD Family Podcast https://www.ocdfamilypodcast.com/

Hornets and Hippos Workbook: https://margaretjessoppsyd.com/hornets-and-hippos/ 

Parenting Resources:

Dr. Ross Greene https://drrossgreene.com/ 

Dr. Becky Kennedy https://www.goodinside.com/about/ 

Dr. Dan Siegel https://drdansiegel.com/ 

Brene Brown (professor and researcher of shame, vulnerability, courage and empathy) https://brenebrown.com/