Brain Under Attack: A Resource for Parents and Caregivers of Children with PANS, PANDAS, and Autoimmune Encephalitis

Why does a teenager swing from euphoria to irritation and despair? What undermines the immunity of today’s children? These questions are answered by Kenneth Bock, M.D., a practicing physician, specialist in autism and mental health, author of many bestselling books, including “The Immunity Path.”

As one of the leading representatives of integrative medicine, Bock draws on more than 35 years of clinical practice: he looks for the root causes of chronic conditions and helps patients restore resilience in the immune system. In his work, he combines evidence-based medicine approaches with complementary treatment methods, building a holistic strategy for recovery.

The teenage period is often associated with sharp mood swings and rebellious behavior—an ordeal for the whole family. In this book, the author offers an unusual and bold perspective: many common conditions in children and teenagers—behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety and OCD, as well as autism—may be connected by a shared biological foundation, including immune system imbalance and changes in the microbiome.

The book is intended for parents trying to make sense of a child’s complex signs of mental distress. Dr. Bock explains which physiological processes may lie behind psychological symptoms and offers practical steps to start the path to accurate diagnosis and more appropriate therapy. His goal is to give the reader a set of key questions to discuss with doctors and to suggest what to do if answers or prescribed treatment don’t inspire trust.

Inside you will find a breakdown of topics:
• where the causes of uncontrolled mood swings in teenagers might hide—and how to deal with them;
• which factors weaken children’s immune systems;
• how inflammation of the gut and microbiome disorders affect the brain and immunity;
• whether there’s a link between inflammatory and autoimmune processes and mental disorders;
• how to support and restore the microbiome, and thereby improve a teenager’s wellbeing and quality of life.

LLC “AST Publishing House”, 2022.