“Neuroticism is one of the dimensions of the five-factor personality model and the Big Five personality model characterized by a chronic level of emotional instability and proneness to psychological distress” (APA Dictionary of Psychology, n.d.). Intelligence according to the American Psychological Association is "the ability to understand complex ideas, to adapt effectively to the environment, to learn from experience, to engage in various forms of reasoning, and to overcome obstacles through thought" (APA, 1996).
The literature work by Karpinski et al. (2017) researches the correlation between high intelligence and psychological overexcitability. The research explores the connection between possessing hypercognitive abilities and experiencing heightened emotional, sensory, and immune responses. The sample for data collection included 3,715 participants from Mensa, a society for individuals with IQs in the top 2%. The prevalence of psychological and physiological challenges faced by this group was significantly higher than the national average. It was found that individuals within Mensa were more likely to suffer from mood disorders, anxiety, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Further, Karpinski et al. (2017) found increased rates of autoimmune diseases, asthma, and food allergies in the sample.
Research on emotional intensity has concluded that these intensities and vulnerability manifest earlier on in life. Gere, Capps, Mitchell, and Grubbs (2009) observed heightened emotional responses in gifted children, which they believed would later develop into clinical psychological disorders. Findings signified that gifted children displayed heightened emotional responses as compared to their peers who had average intelligence. Gifted children with high intellectual abilities have also been said to display asynchronous development where their intellect develops but their emotional regulation remains immature (Neihart, 1999). In evaluation, gifted children with a higher intellect may be at a higher risk of developing certain mood disorders due to the emotional dysregulation they may face and cognitive overload, leading to internal conflicts early on in life and isolation from peers (Silverman, 1993).
Several geniuses who displayed emotional sensitivity in their early childhood later faced psychological challenges. Edgar Allan Poe, Virginia Woolf, and Isaac Newton known for their geniuses in their respective field of work, faced immense psychological challenges. Edgar Allan Poe suffered from depression and alcoholism which shaped his dark gothic literature work. Virginia Woolf who allegedly had bipolar disorder created modernistic works but ultimately took her own life and Isaac Newton a physics and mathematics genius seemed to have social anxiousness (Simonton, 2017). The connection between intelligence and neuroticism can be understood through the perspective of cognitive load (Sweller, 1994). Individuals with higher IQs might demonstrate increased emotional reactivity because their cognitive processes are more intensely engaged with complex information. This heightened mental activity could amplify their sensitivity to emotional stimuli, as their deeper analytical thought patterns demand more mental resources. Consequently, they might be more vulnerable to stress and overthinking, contributing to the traits associated with neuroticism. This illustrates the complex relationship between heightened cognitive abilities and sensitivity to mood disorders and neuroticism.
To overcome this in the real world, intellectual people need to be encouraged to seek forms of therapy.
There is a common hypothesis that being more intelligent should lead to therapeutic success based on the assumption that individuals who understand the complexities of therapy better will respond to it more effectively. However, having high intelligence doesn't protect someone from developing depression if they also have high levels of neuroticism (Navrady et al., 2017).
Haaga et al. (1991) aimed to test if intelligence specifically fluid and crystallized intelligence would predict better outcomes in cognitive therapy for individuals with conditions such as major depressive disorder or generalized anxiety disorder. Fluid intelligence is operationalised by the ability to reason and solve new problems, while crystallized intelligence involves knowledge gained from past learning and experiences. Findings suggested that contrary to expectations, individuals with higher intelligence might fare worse or, at the very least, not show as much improvement in therapy. This means that there was no strong or reliable evidence showing that individuals with higher intelligence were more likely to experience a reduction in their symptoms compared to those with lower intelligence.
Knekt et al. (2014) explored the role of intelligence in predicting the effectiveness of short-term versus long-term therapy for individuals with mood or anxiety disorders. Findings from the study indicate that individuals with higher intelligence showed significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms and psychosocial functioning over the long term, as compared to the short term. This could be justified by the fact that highly intelligent individuals may require more time to develop the necessary emotional insight and coping strategies due to the complexities of their thought patterns, as well as their predisposition to neuroticism. The relationship between intelligence and therapy outcomes has been complex, particularly when it comes to the depth and duration of behavioural and emotional change. Highly intelligent individuals may quickly grasp the conceptual framework of therapy, such as cognitive-behavioural techniques, insight into emotional patterns, and the ability to recognize the influence of past experiences on present behaviours, therefore intelligence may expedite this initial phase of therapy, enabling them to engage effectively with the therapeutic process and comprehend abstract psychological ideas properly than individuals with lower cognitive capacity.
However, while intelligence might facilitate an intellectual understanding of therapy concepts, this doesn't translate into immediate behavioural or emotional transformation. The distinction between intellectual insight and emotional processing is critical here. In therapy, intellectual understanding is often just the first step, real change typically requires working through deep-rooted emotions, unconscious beliefs, and ingrained behaviours. This process takes time, especially for highly intelligent individuals who might be more prone to intellectualize their emotions or experiences. Such intellectualization can sometimes become a defence mechanism, shielding the person from deeper emotional work by focusing on analysis rather than emotional experiences.
Long-term therapy provides sustainable support that is needed to move beyond cognitive insight and engage in a more gradual, often uncomfortable process of emotional exploration and behavioural change. They might need more time and professional support to dismantle rigid patterns of thinking or cope with emotional complexities that their intelligence alone cannot help solve.
Additionally, intelligent individuals, particularly those high in neuroticism, might overthink or excessively ruminate on their problems, which can lead to cycles of self-criticism or doubt. Long-term therapy gives them the space to not only analyse their issues but also work through them in a more balanced and holistic way. In conclusion, the findings from the Helsinki Psychotherapy Study suggest that long-term therapy may be more effective than short-term therapy for highly intelligent individuals, particularly in cases where neuroticism is a prominent feature.
Highly intelligent individuals may be more inclined to question or challenge their therapist's guidance during cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). This tendency arises from their strong analytical abilities and habit of critically examining information. Rather than accepting therapeutic techniques, they may scrutinize or debate the rationale behind certain interventions, which can slow the process of positive change.
For example, when asked to reframe negative thoughts or beliefs, an intelligent person might engage in extensive reasoning, questioning whether the alternative perspectives offered by the therapist are truly valid or applicable to their life. This intellectual engagement can become a form of resistance in therapy. Instead of focusing on emotional or behavioural change, they might get stuck in debates or overthinking, which delays the intended therapeutic progress.
Moreover, highly intelligent individuals may feel that they have already thought through many of the solutions being presented in therapy, leading them to dismiss advice or resist trying techniques they view as simple. While their critical thinking is an asset, when it comes to therapy it can also act as a barrier to fully embracing the treatment process. This can even contribute to feelings of frustration if they perceive the therapy as not sufficiently challenging or insightful.
In certain cases intellectual individuals who understand themselves and the world around them thoroughly may feel that they are superior to therapy because they understand its frameworks, making them reluctant to seek treatment when facing psychological challenges.
