County buildings going green for children living with PANS and PANDAS - Donegal Daily

Council buildings across Donegal will be illuminated green tomorrow night, Friday 9th October, as part of a worldwide awareness campaign for PANS and PANDAS.Don...

Council buildings across Donegal will be illuminated green tomorrow night, Friday 9th October, as part of a worldwide awareness campaign for PANS and PANDAS.

Donegal County Council's headquarters in Lifford, along with Public Services Centres in Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Carndonagh, Milford and Dungloe, will go green in support of the #LightUp4PANS campaign.

Across the border, Derry Council Offices and the 'Tinnies' sculptures in Strabane are also among the landmarks joining the campaign.

People are also being invited to 'Wear Green for Glitch' tomorrow by wearing something green at school, work or home and making a small donation or seeking sponsorship.

The campaign is part of a wider drive to improve recognition and understanding of both conditions that can cause the sudden onset of severe behavioural, emotional and neurological symptoms. What are PANS and PANDAS?

PANS stands for Paediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome , while PANDAS stands for Paediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections .

PANS PANDAS UK describes them as neuropsychiatric conditions, involving both neurological symptoms, such as difficulties with thinking or movement, and psychiatric or mental health symptoms.

Symptoms can emerge suddenly and may include obsessive-compulsive behaviours, severely restricted eating, anxiety, tics, emotional changes, aggression, sleep problems, sensory sensitivities and a sudden deterioration in school performance.

For PANDAS, symptoms are associated with a Group A streptococcal infection, while the potential triggers for PANS can vary.

The exact mechanisms behind the conditions are still being investigated. PANS PANDAS UK says they are currently thought to be autoimmune and/or neuroinflammatory in nature, involving an abnormal response by the body to infection.

There is currently no specific test or biomarker which can confirm PANS or PANDAS. Diagnosis is based on clinical assessment and the exclusion of other possible causes for the symptoms.

Families affected by PANS and PANDAS can face lengthy delays in getting a diagnosis, partly because symptoms may initially be attributed to other conditions or behavioural and mental health difficulties. PANS PANDAS UK says low awareness among health professionals can lead to delayed or incorrect diagnoses and prolonged waits for appropriate assessment.

Tomorrow's green displays aim to make the conditions more visible and encourage greater awareness among the public, health professionals and educators.