Real youth, real stories.

True stories and wisdom from children, teens, and young adults who continue to fight and thrive despite experiencing the debilitating symptoms of PANS/PANDAS.

DISCLAIMER: the National PANDAS/PANS Youth Alliance is a youth advocacy organization that is NOT licensed to distribute medical advice or prescribe treatments. Any medical content, treatments or remedies that you read of in the following stories (and our entire site) should not be undergone unless it has been prescribed or recommended to you or your child by your healthcare provider.

Click on the text to read the full interviews!

“PANS changed me to my core by making me a fearful person when I used to be so carefree.”

—Indie, 27, Texas

"When I got to college I felt like I was going to be okay.”

-Hailey, 19, Connecticut

“You will be able to do anything in your life once you are a PANS survivor. I will never be the same, but in a good way.”

-Haylie, 9, New Jersey

“I am lucky I got diagnosed relatively early, however I still did not get proper treatment and had countless doctors tell me it was all in my head.”

-Alexia, 22, California

“I want people to know that it is possible to live a fulfilling life while having PANDAS / PANS. I want people with PANS / PANDAS to understand just how strong and incredible they are, and to give themselves grace on their difficult days.”

-Maya, 19, Maryland

“I’m going to University in the fall something I never would’ve thought would’ve been possible 6 years ago and I have a really bright outlook for my future!”

-Annabel, 17, Nova Scotia

Every night, my mom stayed in the hospital with me when I was very sick. It's coming up on three years, and we each play different roles in my healing journey, working together as a team.

-Yuji, 17, Maine

“You aren’t crazy, you are sick. You aren’t making it up, you are sick. Your brain is being attacked and is inflamed, your symptoms are valid, you matter.”

-Anastasia, 22, New Hampshire

“I was so sick I didn't think I would be able to finish any type of higher education and now I have proved the PANDAS/PANS statistics wrong!”

-Frances, 23, Connecticut

“Today, I still experience the exact same symptoms, just in a less severe way that is much more bearable.”

-Gavin, 16, California

“I wasn’t able to go to school and I slept most of the day but when I got IVIG within the next week my life changed I was able to go back to school… I had a great year and felt the best I ever had in my whole life.”

-Audri, 20, Vermont

“There is both light at the end of the tunnel and people who will walk through the dark tunnel with you until you get there.”

-Kate, 23, Florida

“PANDAS has made me an incredibly resilient person, shaped by the challenges I’ve had to overcome and my ability to use humor to ease tense situations.”

-Peyton, 16, Massachusetts