About Me

PANS/PANDAS (paediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) are immune-mediated neuropsychiatric conditions. The symptoms include OCD behaviours along with high anxiety, emotional lability, eating disorders, sensory and motor abnormalities, sleep disturbance, and regression in school performance. As a child, I experienced many signs of this disorder and was later tested for elevated levels of streptococcal infection. The symptoms of PANDAS significantly overlap with those of autism, though PANDAS relates to a sudden onset of psychiatric/neurological symptoms triggered by a particular pathogen.

The debilitation of the condition persisted into adulthood, leading to years of chronic fatigue and a reduced quality of life. I eventually turned to nutrition for answers and learnt that an autoimmune component is present in most illnesses, including autism and psychiatric disorders. The GAPS diet made the connection between my neurological and digestive health, which I used to heal my disease for several years. During this time, I studied nutrition at IINH and completed the GAPS practitioner training, enabling me to work with individuals with similar problems involving gut-brain dysfunction. Neuroimmune disorders are challenging illnesses to eradicate; however, change does not have to mean additional hardship. With consistently better lifestyle habits, I can confidently say that complete disease reversal is achievable.