Don’t miss this summer kick-off episode of The Just A Mom Podcast featuring Anna McCasland. Anna has an incredible and unique journey as a person with lived experience with PANDAS, which is short for Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal infections.  PANDAS is a rare autoimmune condition that can occur in children after a strep throat infection, and is characterized by a sudden onset of obsessive-compulsive (OCD) along with other behavioral and emotional changes. Anna candidly shares how, after a strep throat infection at age 12, her life changed. Anna chronicles her journey and how her parents were incredible advocates for her and how, after a myriad of mental health treatments, including numerous medications and therapy, she was able to lead a fairly typical life in high school and college.  However, things changed dramatically when Anna graduated from college and started her first job. Anna tells how she became a shell of a person, experiencing a host of physical and mental health issues. Because of the tenacity of Anna and her parents, Anna was able to locate a researcher in PANDAS, and her life virtually changed within days of a new treatment and understanding of her PANDAS. Anna shares how she cares for herself and her mental health, and encourages parents to listen to their children and not to give up looking for answers.