What is PANS/PANDAS and how does it affect children like Lacy Mae?

PANS/PANDAS involves a sudden onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms, often triggered by infections, causing behavioral changes, OCD, and anxiety in children.

How did Crystal Loos find answers for her daughter's sudden behavioral changes?

Crystal Loos sought specialized medical advice after initial diagnoses of depression and anxiety failed to explain her daughter's severe symptoms.

What are the common symptoms of PANS/PANDAS in children?

Symptoms include rapid mood swings, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, eating restrictions, anxiety, and sleep disturbances.

Home / Health / Child's Overnight Transformation Shocks Parents

Child's Overnight Transformation Shocks Parents

20 Dec, 2025

•

Summary

Once outgoing child became reserved and angry, leading to terror for parents.
Daughter experienced a psychotic break, exhibiting paranoia and suicidal thoughts.
A PANS/PANDAS diagnosis revealed infections attacking the child's brain.

Child's Overnight Transformation Shocks Parents

In the spring of 2023, Crystal Loos noticed concerning changes in her daughter Lacy Mae, who became withdrawn and angry. By July 2024, a dramatic overnight shift occurred, with Lacy Mae experiencing what her mother described as a psychotic break, exhibiting paranoia and suicidal thoughts. Standard treatments for anxiety and depression proved ineffective.

Despite multiple hospital visits and a refusal from medical professionals to test for PANS/PANDAS, Loos persisted. After Lacy Mae was admitted to a behavioral health unit and showed no improvement, Loos researched PANS/PANDAS in online forums. This led her to a specialist who, in September 2024, diagnosed Lacy Mae with infections, including tick-borne illness and mycoplasma, attacking her brain.