Dyscalculia is sometimes called “math anxiety,” though the nickname isn't quite accurate. Someone can feel persistently anxious at the thought of doing math but not have dyscalculia; on the other hand, for some individuals with diagnosable dyscalculia, anxiety may worsen the difficulties they experience. And regardless of dyscalculia, math anxiety can be serious and lead to long-term math avoidance; some research has found that for some people who struggle with math anxiety, the anticipation of having to do math activates the same centers in the brain that register visceral threats and physical pain.