The concept of the curse of high IQ suggests that individuals with exceptionally high intelligence may face certain challenges and difficulties that can negatively impact their lives. While having a high IQ can bring forth various advantages such as increased problem-solving abilities, analytical thinking, and academic success, it can also come with its own set of drawbacks. One of the main challenges faced by individuals with a high IQ is the feeling of being different or socially isolated. High IQ individuals may struggle to relate to their peers, as their interests and thought processes may differ significantly. They may find it challenging to connect with others on a deep level, leading to feelings of loneliness and a sense of not fitting in. This can be particularly true during childhood and adolescence, where the desire for acceptance and belonging is strong.
They tend to be highly sensitive and aware of others' actions. Good at reading people, they easily pick up shortcomings, dishonest intentions and weaknesses of the mind. They do not suffer fools gladly; that is, they may not be patient or willing to spend time with those they believe to be of lesser ability or knowledge.
They are rarely satisfied with mediocrity or whatever they have achieved in life because their high IQ gives them the power to imagine bigger and better things. When your mind works at extreme speeds and deep complexity, not many people can follow you or grasp your views on everything spanning from philosophy to global affairs.
This can be particularly true during childhood and adolescence, where the desire for acceptance and belonging is strong. Another aspect of the curse of high IQ is the tendency towards overthinking and overanalysis. Individuals with a high IQ often possess a heightened sensitivity to their surroundings and are highly perceptive.
Book Recommendation: “Curse of the High IQ” by Aaron Clarey
I just finished reading “Curse of the High IQ” by Aaron Clarey. I’ve read a couple of, well, self-help books for people with high IQ and in comparison to those books, I really liked his style. Given that he runs a service called “Asshole Consulting” (see this posting) it is no surprise his style is … somewhat blunt, but also — thankfully — no-nonsense. He bases his observations and analyses on his own experience — apparently an IQ of 141 or 138 — and his clients and friends experiences.
In general, I am weary of (mostly) unsystematic observation. Some of the things he writes about might be illusory correlations or just plain wrong. It’s hypocritical to argue against unsystematic observation with ones own unsystematic observation, but in my experience, people notice problems with high IQ usually only when there are, well, problems with high IQ. Might sound trivial, but I guess with many people you don’t notice the high IQ, just the high performance. Of course they have to be smart, but that never becomes the focus. You’re captured by their work. But if a smart person has problems, then both the problems and the high intelligence (indicated by the high performance in at least one area) come into focus. There’s an inconsistency. This person has problems, yet did some amazing stuff, so s/he can’t be dumb. That is noticeable. Personally, I am pretty sure most people with high IQ don’t really have problems, and they are too busy performing to notice their high IQ as a potential problem. It’s those who have problems for whom the high IQ becomes an issue.
But this objection is moot, given that the people who read books like these are likely part of the same subgroup of high-IQ people who also have problems. So while his book might not generalize to all high IQ people, it might generalize to his readers. So, essentially, no problem. He also recommends to get one’s IQ tested, which is always nice (please, no more people self-diagnosing intelligence high intelligence, or psychological disorders).
And regarding the problems, he goes into a number of problems high IQ people have — mostly simply due to (per definition) statistical rarity and the way the world works. He covers the major issues from education to career to dating and friends and the like. And while doing so, he’s honest enough not to promise heaven and earth:
This isn’t a promise that all the problems abnormally intelligent people suffer will go away. Matter of fact, many of these problems have no solution as they’re just inherent to the nature of statistics and your only option is to suck it up and endure it. But at minimum we can provide an explanation as to why you’re feeling down, why you drink, why you can’t find friends, why you can’t hold a job, etc. It may not result in happiness, sobriety, or an active social life, but it will at least provide an explanation and the precious sanity that comes with it.
Clarey (2016)
And after describing the problems as he sees them (strongly influenced by his personality), he leaves the reader the choice what to do. It’s a “this is how I see it, the decision is yours” style.
So, overall, an interesting and short read. I agree with the person who wrote his foreword:
Prepare to be reaffirmed in many opinions you may already have, but felt you needed to keep quiet due to societal pressures/conditions, professional aspirations, or friends and loved ones. One thing all of us who are fans have in common is that we love that there’s someone who says what we’ve all been thinking.
Matt Baldoni in Clarey (2016)
Recommended for a different take on high IQ.
- creative_people
- know_yourself
- living_as_a_creative
- social
- think_differently
- worst_cases
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The "nutty professor" stereotype has glorified the idea that highly intelligent types are too advanced for the basics, thus not very good at the practicalities of everyday life.
This can lead to constantly analyzing and evaluating situations, which can be mentally exhausting and emotionally draining. The constant internal dialogue and thought processing can interfere with their ability to enjoy the present moment and can create a cycle of overthinking that is difficult to break. Moreover, the pursuit of perfection is often a common characteristic of high IQ individuals. Their ability to think critically and a desire for intellectual stimulation can lead to setting impossibly high standards for themselves. This perfectionism can manifest itself in various aspects of their lives, such as academics, work, and personal relationships. The fear of failure and the need for constant validation can create immense pressure and stress, often leading to burnout and anxiety. Additionally, the curse of high IQ can be attributed to the potential for existential questions and a deeper understanding of the world. High IQ individuals may question the meaning of life, the nature of existence, and their place in the universe. These philosophical ponderings can often lead to feelings of existential crisis and an overwhelming sense of the insignificance of their own existence. Struggling to find purpose and meaning in life can contribute to feelings of depression and a sense of hopelessness. In conclusion, while possessing a high IQ certainly comes with numerous advantages, it also presents its fair share of challenges. Feeling socially isolated, overthinking, perfectionism, and existential questioning are just a few of the burdens faced by those with high intelligence. Understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial to nurturing the well-being and happiness of individuals with high IQ, allowing them to reach their full potential while mitigating the negative effects of the curse..
Reviews for "IQ and Mental Disorders: Exploring the Curse of High Intelligence"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Curse of the High IQ" as I thought it would offer some new and thought-provoking insights into the lives of highly intelligent individuals. However, I was sorely disappointed. The book spent too much time focusing on the author's personal experiences and opinions, which made it seem more like a memoir rather than an informative piece. The research was superficial and lacked depth, leaving me feeling like I didn't gain much knowledge from reading it. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "Curse of the High IQ" to be extremely pretentious and self-indulgent. The author seemed more interested in bragging about his own intelligence and unique experiences rather than providing any real insights or solutions to the challenges faced by high IQ individuals. The writing style was overly verbose and convoluted, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a genuine exploration of the subject.
3. Mark - 2/5 - As someone with a high IQ, I was excited to read a book that delved into the struggles and societal challenges faced by people like me. Unfortunately, "Curse of the High IQ" fell short of my expectations. The author often generalizes the experiences of high IQ individuals and fails to acknowledge the diversity within the group. The tone of the book comes across as condescending and dismissive towards those with average intelligence. I was disappointed by the lack of depth and research in addressing the complex subject matter. Overall, I found the book to be overly simplistic and unhelpful in understanding the true implications of having a high IQ.