PANS Specialist for Children in Oakland County
If you're a parent watching your child suddenly change—almost overnight—into someone you barely recognize, you’re not alone. Maybe it began with anxiety out of nowhere, or tics that seem to appear and disappear. Maybe your once-curious child has become emotionally volatile, withdrawn, or fearful of things they used to enjoy. If you’ve been told “it’s just anxiety” or handed a prescription without an explanation, you're probably searching for someone who will truly listen—and dig deeper.
At Restorative Medicine Center in Rochester Hills, we specialize in helping families just like yours. We focus on a misunderstood but increasingly common condition called PANS, or Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome. PANS is not a psychiatric disorder—it’s an immune-driven brain inflammation, often triggered by infections, toxins, or neurologic stress that the body can’t regulate on its own.
I’m Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal, a board-certified physician and founder of Restorative Medicine Center. My approach is rooted in Functional Medicine, which means we go beyond the surface and search for the root cause of your child’s symptoms—so that real, lasting healing can begin.
Families throughout Oakland County and the greater Detroit area come to our clinic because they’ve seen multiple providers and still don’t have answers. Here, they find a different experience: one that blends deep clinical investigation with compassionate care, and a customized plan built specifically for their child’s unique biology and story.
What is PANS (and PANDAS)?
PANS stands for Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, a condition that causes a sudden, dramatic shift in a child’s behavior, emotions, and cognitive function—often within days or even hours. Parents describe it as though their child was "taken overnight." One day they’re calm, curious, and thriving—then suddenly gripped by intrusive thoughts, irrational fears, rage, or regression. It’s heartbreaking, and terrifying. But it’s not “just psychological.”
PANS is a medical condition rooted in immune dysfunction and neuroinflammation. It occurs when the immune system, in response to a trigger, misfires and begins to attack healthy tissue in the brain—specifically areas that control mood, behavior, and executive function.
A related condition, PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections), is considered a subset of PANS. In PANDAS, the trigger is specifically a strep infection—most often strep throat. PANS, on the other hand, can be triggered by a broader set of causes.
Common Triggers of PANS/PANDAS Include:
- Streptococcal infections (strep throat)
- Tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease, Bartonella, or Babesia
- Mycoplasma pneumoniae and other respiratory infections
- Environmental exposures like mold and mycotoxins
- Neurological stress or trauma, especially when the nervous system is already in overdrive
These triggers activate the immune system and, in genetically or environmentally susceptible children, can lead to autoimmune brain inflammation—where the body begins attacking its own neurons.
What makes PANS so unique (and alarming for families) is the abrupt, life-altering onset of symptoms. We're not talking about a gradual developmental shift or a typical behavioral phase. This is the child who becomes suddenly paralyzed by anxiety, who won’t eat, who erupts in uncontrollable rage, or who can no longer focus, sleep, or function at school—seemingly out of the blue.
Unfortunately, many of these children are misdiagnosed with psychiatric or behavioral conditions like OCD, ADHD, or autism spectrum disorders. But in reality, their brain is inflamed—and they need medical treatment, not just behavioral therapy or medications.
Diagnostic Approach for PANS at Restorative Medicine Center
At Restorative Medicine Center, we understand how exhausting it is to be told “everything looks fine” when your child is clearly not okay. That’s why our diagnostic process is designed to go deeper—to connect the dots that others may have missed.
Rather than relying on surface-level labs or symptom checklists, we start with a comprehensive intake and testing process that’s tailored specifically to children with complex, neuroimmune conditions like PANS.
In-Depth Intake + Timeline Tracking
Your first visit isn’t rushed. We take time to gather:
- A full symptom timeline—when symptoms began, how they changed, and what may have triggered them
- Detailed information on your child’s environment, past infections, emotional stressors, and family medical history
- Parent insights, which are often the most valuable diagnostic tool we have
You’ll be asked to bring a written timeline or calendar that outlines interventions and symptom shifts over time—this helps us decode patterns and root causes more effectively than a single lab can.
Functional & Immune-Based Lab Testing
CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) Labs
- C4a – Marker of chronic immune activation, especially in mold or Lyme-related illness
- TGFB1 – Elevations suggest autoimmune activity and brain inflammation
- VEGF – Measures tissue oxygenation and vascular inflammation
- MMP-9 – Associated with blood-brain barrier permeability and neuroinflammation
Immune System Panels
- ANA (antinuclear antibodies) and autoantibodies to assess autoimmune risk
- Immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM) to evaluate immune competence or suppression
- Eosinophils and hsCRP to track allergic or systemic inflammation
Infection Testing
- Strep antibody titers (ASO and anti-DNase B) when PANDAS is suspected
- Stealth pathogen testing for Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, Mycoplasma, and viruses
- Evaluation for co-infections that may be prolonging the immune storm
Mycotoxin and Environmental Exposure Testing
- Urine mycotoxin testing to detect toxic mold exposures
- Environmental history review (school, home, water damage) to identify potential biotoxin triggers
- Optional referrals for home air testing or mold remediation if needed
Whole-Body Scoring to Track Progress
We use MSIDS-based symptom questionnaires (developed by Dr. Richard Horowitz) to track:
- Neurological symptoms
- Immune and inflammatory symptoms
- Gut dysfunction
- Pain, fatigue, sleep, and psychological burden
This gives us a quantitative baseline and allows us to monitor response over time—not just based on lab results, but on how your child is actually feeling and functioning.
Individualized Treatment for PANS in Children
No two children with PANS are alike—which is why there’s no single protocol that works for everyone. At Restorative Medicine Center, we customize every treatment plan based on your child’s specific biology, history, and tolerance level.
Our approach is not about chasing symptoms. It’s about calming the immune system, removing the triggers, and helping the brain and body relearn how to heal.
Some children need to go slowly. Others respond quickly. Either way, we follow your child’s lead, always aiming for deep, lasting recovery—not just temporary relief.
Our Treatment Focus:
- Calm the inflammatory storm in the brain and body
- Identify and treat underlying infections or toxic exposures
- Support gut healing and detox pathways
- Restore nutritional balance
- Rewire and regulate the nervous system to support lasting change
What Treatment May Include:
Antimicrobial Therapy (Herbal + Pharmaceutical)
We use targeted antimicrobials to address:
- Strep (PANDAS)
- Tick-borne infections like Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia
- Mycoplasma or chronic viral loads
Depending on your child’s needs and sensitivities, we may recommend herbal protocols, prescription medications, or a combination of both. We go slowly, track response carefully, and always support detox and inflammation control alongside treatment.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Support
To quiet the immune response and support the healing process, we often use:
- Curcumin, resveratrol, omega-3s
- Glutathione and NAC for detox and oxidative stress
- Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) in some cases to modulate immune reactivity
Gut Healing and Nutrient Repletion
The gut-brain-immune axis plays a massive role in PANS. We may support:
- Leaky gut repair with mucosal healing nutrients
- Probiotics, enzymes, and microbiome balancing
- Repletion of nutrients like magnesium, zinc, B12, and vitamin D
Detoxification Support
Detox isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing it right. We focus on:
- Binders (like charcoal or cholestyramine) to gently remove mold toxins or biotoxins
- Far infrared sauna to support cellular detox (only when tolerated)
- Helping families transition to cleaner air, water, and household products to reduce daily toxic load
Nervous System Regulation
A child cannot heal in a constant state of fear, panic, or fight-or-flight. That’s why nervous system support is a central part of our care.
We incorporate:
- Vagus nerve retraining through breathwork, cold exposure, or gentle stimulation
- Neuroplasticity tools to break cycles of reactivity and promote brain healing
- EMDR or somatic therapy referrals when trauma is part of the picture
- Tools for sleep, movement, and sensory balance
Get Help from a Leading PANS Specialist in Oakland County
If your child is showing signs of PANS or PANDAS—and you’re tired of hearing “it’s just anxiety” or “they’ll grow out of it”—it’s time for a different kind of care. One that listens to your instincts, honors your child’s story, and looks beneath the surface to find what’s really driving the symptoms.
At Restorative Medicine Center, we specialize in helping families across Oakland County and beyond get the answers they’ve been searching for—through science-based, root-cause Functional Medicine.
We know how overwhelming it can feel. But you don’t have to figure this out alone.
Schedule Your New Patient Consultation Today
Restorative Medicine Center
📍 705 Barclay Cir, Suite 115
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
📞 Phone: 248.289.6349
📠 Fax: 248.289.6923
🕘 Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9AM–5PM | Friday: Closed
🌐 Website: www.restorativemedcenter.com