My DD is 13 and has generalized anxiety disorder. She tends to get into a heightened period of anxiety during life changes, transitions, etc. She recently moved up to optionals (L6) after completing a year at L5. She is struggling with a new coach who is more intense and the increase in practice hours. In May she started making excuses not to go to practice here and there but it was always a physical complaint (headache, stomachache). It took a while to pinpoint it was anxiety and for her to start talking. Now for the past 2 weeks she has refused to go altogether. I have let go and let her have the break and she tried an Xcel practice. She wasn't crazy about Xcel because she likes being well conditioned, strong, etc. and our Xcel team is good but there isn't much conditioning so she will lose some of that. There are other platinum level girls but she is way ahead of others because she is coming out of J.O.. So, she is stuck between not wanting the intensity of optionals and wanting more than what Xcel has to offer. So, she is going to have to pick. I am trying to figure out if there is a way to help her through her anxiety about J.O. practice. If she could reach her comfort point, she will calm down and be Ok, I think. I think the source of the anxiety is this new coach and also the pressure to pick up new skills and of course, the conditioning is hard. In the past she has had anxiety with new coaches but she has always gotten over the hump after some struggling but now at a higher level, I am not going to force a kid into a long practice but if she refuses long enough, she is making her decision to quit or go to Xcel. In the car on the way to the Xcel practice she said 'I am so happy to go to the gym. I have been dying without gymnastics for 2 weeks'. So, she still wants it but is afraid of the intense optional practices and is avoiding the coach. If she was just tired of the sport, it would be easier to let it go but we do not need a year of stress and anxiety. Anyone suggestions or anyone gone through something similar? A gym change is not an option. The other gym in town is known for being intense and so that will not be a good match.