Is there a link between high intelligence and mental illness?

Sunday, July 7, 2024.

Recent research has revealed that folks with high IQs are at a significantly higher risk of developing mental health issues.

Studies suggest that those with exceptional intelligence may be up to four times more likely to experience mental illness. But why is this the case?

The Connection Between High IQ and Mental Health

Highly intelligent folks often possess hyperexcitable brains, which can contribute to increased mental health risks. This heightened brain activity leads to greater sensitivity to their surroundings and a more reactive central nervous system. As a result, intelligent people are more prone to experiencing heightened stress responses and anxiety.

Dr. Nicole Tetreault, a co-author of the study, explains:

"A minor insult such as a clothing tag or an unnatural sound may trigger a low-level, chronic stress response, which then activates a hyper body response. When the sympathetic nervous system becomes chronically activated, it finds itself in a continuous fight, flight, or freeze state that triggers a series of immune changes in both the body and the brain, altering behavior, mood, and functioning."

Survey Findings: MENSA Members and Mental Health

The study surveyed 3,715 members of MENSA, an organization for individuals with IQs above 130. The participants reported their mood and anxiety disorders, as well as other conditions such as ADHD, autism, and various physiological problems. The results were then compared to national averages.

Audrey Kinase Kolb, another co-author of the study, notes:

"If high intelligence was not a risk factor for these diseases and disorders, we would see a similar prevalence rate between the two groups. However, in this study, the MENSA population had significantly higher rates across the board.

For example, just over 10% of the US has a diagnosed anxiety disorder, compared to 20% for Mensans.

For these conditions, having a high intelligence is related to having between 2 to 4 times the chance of having a diagnosis compared to the average American."

Is There a Dual Nature to a High IQ?

While a high IQ is often seen as a gift, it comes with its own set of challenges. Ruth Karpinski, the study's first author, explains:

"While falling within the extreme right tail of the Bell Curve is generally touted as a ‘gift’ leading to exceptional outcomes, this is not always the case. Those with high IQ possess unique intensities and overexcitabilities which can be at once both remarkable and disabling on many levels."

Contradictory research: does high intelligence correlate with good mental health?

Contrary to the findings linking high IQ to mental health risks, a recent genetic analysis involving over half a million people suggests that enjoying good mental health may also be a sign of higher intelligence.

This extensive study found that intelligent folks are 30% less likely to suffer from depression.

The researchers discovered that smarter people tend to live longer, have a lower risk of cancer, and exhibit faster reaction times. The study, which analyzed the genetics of 630,555 individuals, linked cognitive ability to 148 different locations along the genome.

Dr. Gail Davies, the study’s first author, states:

"This study, the largest genetic study of cognitive function, has identified many genetic differences that contribute to the heritability of thinking skills. The discovery of shared genetic effects on health outcomes and brain structure provides a foundation for exploring the mechanisms by which these differences influence thinking skills throughout a lifetime."

The genetic link between intelligence and health

Professor Ian Deary, who led the study, emphasizes the complexity of pinning down the connections between intelligence and genes:

"Less than a decade ago we were searching for genes related to intelligence with about 3,000 participants, and we found almost nothing.

Now with 100 times that number of participants, and with more than 200 scientists working together, we have discovered almost 150 genetic regions that are related to how clever people are.

One thing we know from these results is that good thinking skills are a part of good health overall."

Final thoughts

The link between high IQ and mental health issues highlights the complexities of intelligence. I think Dr. Tetreault is obviously picking up some of the challenges of the neuro-diverse. But do the neuro-diverse represent all folks with a high IQ?

While exceptional cognitive abilities can lead to remarkable achievements, they might also increase vulnerability to mental illness, according to her findings.

However, recent genetic research suggests that higher intelligence is actually associated with numerous health benefits, including better mental health, longer life expectancy, and reduced cancer risk. This is a far more solid science, but how can we understand high intelligence better?

Understanding these correlates of high intelligence is crucial for developing strategies to support the well-being of highly intelligent folks. We need all sorts of minds to run our world. But clearly we have more to learn.

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

Karpinski, R. I., Kinase Kolb, A. M., Tetreault, N. A., & Borowski, T. B. (2018). High intelligence: A risk factor for psychological and physiological overexcitabilities. Intelligence, 66, 8-23. doi:10.1016/j.intell.2017.11.001

Davies, G., Lam, M., Harris, S. E., Trampush, J. W., Luciano, M., Hill, W. D., ... & Deary, I. J. (2018). Study of 300,486 individuals identifies 148 independent genetic loci influencing general cognitive function. Nature Communications, 9(1), 2098. doi:10.1038/s41467-018-04362-x