Is high intelligence a risk factor for anxiety/depression?
So I’ve read that high intelligence is a risk factor for anxiety/depression, is this true? I had an intelligence test as a child and scored well above average and had major anxiety issues and depression so I’m wondering if being smart is way over rated.
That’s true – having a highly developed cerbral cortex, being intelligent, artisic and sensitive. Watch for suicidal tendencies.
April 2nd, 2010 at 6:55 am
That’s true – having a highly developed cerbral cortex, being intelligent, artisic and sensitive. Watch for suicidal tendencies.
References :
Psychology
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:14 am
I believe it — but wait, I have anxiety and depression, so of course I would. Ha!
Actually, I did read that depressed people score much higher in accuracy of self-perception than ‘normal’ people. So apparently ignorance really is bliss!
References :
April 2nd, 2010 at 7:57 am
I think that this depends a lot on the person. I’m pretty smart, and I’m very internal, I think way too much and intellectualize and rationalize things that I really shouldn’t be looking past, so this does make me more prone to anxiety and depression. Also, let’s say that I know I’m depressed or something along those lines, I will obsess over it and think about it constantly, almost making a chart in my head: do I have a reason to be depressed, is this beyond normal teenage hormones, will I have to address this or can I just throw myself into something and let it slip away? Also, my intellect doesn’t really let me forget things or push them aside. I sort of beat myself up over things that I don’t really have control over or things that I did and are now finished. I have this high degree of guilt because I understand society and morals and ethics and I try to abide by that, but when I fail it just feeds into my anxiety.
So I guess in answer to your question, it depends. If you’re like me and you think about things in this kind of way, it might be detrimental in some respects to your mental stability. If you don’t really take this path and it’s something else for you…well then it’s something else. Good luck though, hope things work out.
References :
Long conversations with lots of professionals (social workers, psychologists, all them)
April 2nd, 2010 at 8:43 am
Yeah its true. People who are more intelligent are more vulnerable to boredom, which can easily lead to depression. If this is the case, it’s best to stay challenged and find an occupation that keeps you engaged.
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