The relationship between intelligence and mental health is complex and appears to depend on the specific conditions and populations being studied. The research presents mixed findings that make it difficult to reach definitive conclusions, but the claim as presented is misleading.
Some studies suggest there is a connection between high intelligence and certain mental health issues. A 2017 study examining Mensa members found that high IQ was associated with increased risk for affective disorders, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and immune-related health problems. The 2013 research referenced in the original article also found correlations between mental health and creativity, though not specifically with intelligence or fame.
However, other more recent research contradicts these findings. A 2024 study of Dutch twins found that higher intelligence was actually associated with fewer childhood mental health problems. This directly opposes the idea that intelligence increases psychological risk.
Perhaps most significantly, a 2022 study published in European Psychiatry challenges much of the existing research on this topic. The authors argue that studies claiming higher rates of mental health disorders among intelligent individuals often have serious methodological flaws, including sampling bias, inadequate control groups, and insufficient sample sizes. Using a large, well-controlled sample from the UK Biobank database, they found that intelligence may actually serve as a protective factor against anxiety and PTSD.
The contradictory nature of these findings suggests that more rigorous research is needed before we can draw firm conclusions about how intelligence affects mental health outcomes.
