In today’s society, anxiety plays a major role in the everyday lives of  people around the world. We have come to an understanding about a few of the effects anxiety has on a person’s mental health, yet causes of this issue remain unidentified. In order to minimize the effects of anxiety as much as possible, the root of the causes must first be found.

One of the most common causes of child anxiety is rooted in the public school system. An increase in the number of standardized tests given to students in grades three through twelve has proven to be a significant source of their anxiety. Instead of children getting nervous butterflies about taking a test, they are now experiencing outright panic. Under the No Child Left Behind Act created in 2002, all public school students are required to take annual reading and math exams in grades three through eight, then again at least once in high school. Beginning with the 2007/08 school year, “they'll also have to take science exams” (Konrad). These mandatory tests place an immense amount of pressure on the children to do well in order to avoid the consequences of failure. “... kids who don't pass will face serious consequences. In some states, a child who fails any one will be held back--no matter how well he may have done in class. And a school may lose federal funding if too many students fail” (Konrad). A child with immense pressure placed on them in order to avoid the consequence of failing and being looked down upon should not be happening, especially at such a young age. Identifying whether a child is experiencing anxiety due to test taking is crucial in determining how to reduce their stress. Younger children should be taught basic study skills and habits to reduce their anxiety. Kids in middle school or higher should be taught time management skills for them to reduce anxiety in a beneficial way.

According to European Union News, anxiety within workplaces has increased drastically over the past year. Research has found, “60% of employees who have felt stressed or anxious in the last year attribute this to their workload.” A YouGov poll was created to gain more insight about individuals' mental health within the workplace to reach healthy solutions and diminish anxiety as much as possible. The number one cause of stress and/or anxiety for employees stems from their workload, which 60% of employees struggle with. The second highest source of employee anxiety with 42% is the way their workplace is managed. The third most common source of anxiety is from 35% of employees balancing their home and work lives. European Union News’ final poll found solutions listed by employees which concluded that, “33% think that a reduced workload would help them feel less stressed, 26% pointed to better flexible working opportunities, 23% said that more clarity around what is required would help.” The European Union wanted to show their a breakdown of the stress and anxiety causes of real people in real workplaces.

As reported by USA Today, anxiety has been building up health concerns for many years now, but has recently shed light on the correlation between the two. USA Today wrote about The Hartman Group’s report which stated that, “stress has replaced being overweight as the top health condition U.S. households actively are treating or preventing.” Another report, Health + Wellness 2019, conducted by The Hartman Group also discovered that, “63% of consumers are prioritizing anxiety or stress, compared to 61% concerning weight” As anxiety is prioritized over weight, it causes deterioration to not only mental, but physical health as well. Prioritizing one over the other, surprisingly, is correlated to the deterioration of both. Laurie Demeritt, CEO of The Hartman Group, states that, “layered onto a more-proactive approach to wellness is a heightened sentiment in many of feeling anxious and overwhelmed--by information and messages, lifestyle ruts that can feel inescapable, daily work-life balance, polarizing politics, and big issues like climate change." By maintaining a balanced lifestyle, the risk of experiencing physical and mental damage is reduced. 

The effects of anxiety play a pivotal role in understanding where the causes stem from. Without knowing the causes from which anxiety derives, effects would not have solutions to fix the root of the problem. Bringing awareness to the topic of anxiety has needed to happen desperately in our day and age. The more we come to understand the causes of anxiety, the more efficient solutions to anxiety will become. 

Works Cited

"ANXIETY LEAPFROGS WEIGHT AS TOP CONCERN." USA Today, May 2019, p. 7. Gale In Context: Biography, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A590651988/GPS?u=j079907016&sid=GPS&xid=26d1985b. Accessed 29 Oct. 2019.

"Common cause of stress and anxiety at work is workload." European Union News, 14 May 2019. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A585677355/GPS?u=j079907016&sid=GPS&xid=7d9355b8. Accessed 30 Oct. 2019.

Konrad, Walecia. "More tests = more anxiety: many kids are wilting under the pressure of the new high--stakes standardized testing. How to help your child do her best ... and keep her cool." Good Housekeeping, Nov. 2006, p. 109+. Gale In Context: Biography, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A154331358/GPS?u=j079907016&sid=GPS&xid=71a3066d. Accessed 29 Oct. 2019.