Is there such a thing as math anxiety? What is math anxiety? Is there a 'cure' for math anxiety? Anxiety is not always a bad thing but if it blocks any progress or the ability to function, it should be addressed. I do believe that people experience anxiety brought on by many different triggers. If the triggers are addressed, the anxiety may become managable. Rewire Your Anxious Brain (Pittman and Karle, 2015) describes the amygdala-based anxiety or cortex-based anxiety. In many case, math anxiety is an amygdala-based anxiety and instructors and students can incorporate practices to help address amygdala-based anxiety or prevent it before it happens.

A student may avoid overwhelming anxiety by understanding the process of learning, applying effective study strategies, and recognizing practices that aid or hinder learning. Dr. Barbara Oakley's book, A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science (Even if you flunked algebra) is a very good resource for students and educators that addresses many of these topics, including:

Focus Mode vs. Diffuse Mode

Pomodoro Technique

Illusions of Competence

Procrastination

Understanding Anxiety