Ella was a worrier. Every morning, she worried that she wouldn't make the bus on time, even though she hadn't missed it once all year. And every afternoon, she worried that she wouldn't get her favorite spot at the lunch table, or that she might have a pop quiz in science class and wouldn't be prepared. At night, she worried about getting her homework done and whether her clothes would look right at school the next day.
Ella's parents thought this behavior was a typical part of growing up. But when their daughter's teacher said that Ella's anxiety was starting to affect her grades in school and relationships with classmates, they decided it was time to talk to a doctor about finding ways to help Ella deal with her worries.