Meet Tessa!
This is her story.
Tessa Gallo was a typical sixth-grader. She was an involved student and an adoring middle child to two loving sisters. But one day, she exhibited concerning behaviors that were uncharacteristic of her personality and usual demeanor. She was running into traffic, jumping fences and hiding in bushes, unable to swallow food, and repeating sentences over and over.
When the Gallo family turned to doctors for answers, Tessa was initially diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and prescribed medication that soon proved unhelpful. Terry, Tessa’s mother, was overwhelmed, exhausted, and desperate to get her daughter back to wellness. She recognized that a mental health diagnosis was worthy of extra support and turned to NAMI-Santa Clara County.
Terry called NAMI-Santa Clara County’s HelpLine and shared her family’s situation. She felt comforted by the sweet, caring staff who answered that day. Terry began attending support groups and noticed that her daughter’s symptoms were very different from other children who were diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. After realizing this, Terry began to revisit her daughter’s diagnosis with her medical care team. Her recent experiences with NAMI helped her fight for new doctors and ask the right questions until they all made a groundbreaking discovery.
It was discovered that Tessa had been misdiagnosed the entire time. They found that Tessa actually had a condition called PANS – pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome. PANS can be onset by an infection or an alternative trigger that causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the brain, hence the drastic change in Tessa’s behavior and well-being.
As Tessa and her family began a new direction in treatment, they continued to face the twists and turns that come with any diagnosis. But because of mental health support, advocacy, and education through NAMI-Santa Clara County, Tessa’s family found tools that lead to correct treatment.
Tessa receives treatment to this day. She is helpful, artistic, and funny. Tessa and her family now advocate for others in similar situations like themselves.
