PANS/PANDAS is usually diagnosed in young children, and it usually arrives with OCD or tics. Cat and Brandi's stories don't follow that script. Both were teenagers when symptoms took hold, both watched their bodies and personalities change in ways their doctors couldn't explain, and both spent years being told that what was happening to them wasn't real.

In this episode of Flying Through Fog, Krystal and Angela talk with Cat and Brandi about what it's like to lose yourself and know it's happening. We get into what late onset changes about the experience, the particular damage done by a positive test that no one will act on, and the shame that settles in when you start believing the person you become in a flare is who you actually are. Cat and Brandi also talk about what helped, what they want from the people closest to them, and the friendship and advocacy work that grew out of all of it.

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

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/