People with anxiety are smarter, according to neuroscience

“The intelligence of an individual is measured by the amount of uncertainty he can bear,” said Immanuel Kant. In other words, the more we know, the more aware we are of what we don’t know. And the more intelligent we are, the more aware we are of the enormous uncertainty that exists in the world. But this awareness, which at first seems positive, also has a negative side: it can generate deep insecurity, apprehension and anxiety.

Intelligence and insecurity, two sides of the same coin

Intelligent people tend to be more thoughtful and meticulous, but also more hesitant and insecure in their daily lives. Arrogant people, on the other hand, often overestimate their abilities and have a high perception of self-efficacy, so they tend to feel more confident, which becomes a kind of protective shield that helps them avoid uncertainty and anxiety.

People with inflated-sef-esteem tend to be overly confident in their abilities, which provides them with a shield against doubt and fear of failure. Ignorance gives them an important emotional advantage that allows them to act more decisively in contexts of uncertainty, at least in the short term. The results they obtain, obviously, are another story.

On the other hand, the most intellectually brilliant people tend to have a deeper and more complex perception of a reality that is often difficult to assimilate. In an unpredictable world full of contradictions, the most intelligent people can feel more insecure, which often leads them to doubt and underestimate themselves.

As Jorge Luis Borges said, “doubt is one of the names of intelligence,” and if we do not learn to manage it, supporting that logical intellect with other types of intelligence, such as emotional intelligence, we could end up paying a very high price.  

In fact, in 1994, a group of French pediatricians who had worked with 140 gifted children came to the conclusion that “the higher the IQ, the greater the psychological fragility.” Subsequent studies discovered that, indeed, people with anxiety are more intelligent. In other words, a high IQ predisposes one to suffer from mood disorders such as anxiety.

Why does intelligence cause anxiety?

Having a restless and rational mind, capable of capturing details that others don’t see and anticipating situations is not always a blessing. Sometimes it can be exhausting and lead directly to anxiety. There may be different reasons behind this curious relationship:

1. Too much logic. More intelligent people tend to approach problems in a more rational way. And while our society has always exalted logic and it is a skill that can be very useful in certain circumstances, in others it can become a great obstacle. When it comes to going with the flow or letting oneself be carried away by instinct, people with a more empirical and rational mindset often have problems, which generates tension and anxiety.
2. Too much self-demand. Intelligent people are often very demanding of themselves, which means that they set very ambitious goals and very high standards for themselves, which can become a source of additional stress and anxiety. The tendency towards perfectionism also works against them, as it often leads to relentless self-criticism. This self-demand not only increases the feeling of insecurity, but also perpetuates a cycle of dissatisfaction that keeps the person in a state of constant alertness and tension.
3. Greater awareness. Intelligence is often associated with a greater ability to observe, both inward and outward. This ability to pick up on details is important for finding solutions, but it can also be overwhelming, to the point of generating anxiety. Intelligent people tend to analyze situations from multiple perspectives, which leads them to identify potential risks, threats, or negative consequences that others might overlook. This deeper processing, while valuable, often generates a significant emotional burden, increasing anxiety in the face of uncertainty or daily challenges.

On the other hand, it has also been observed that highly intelligent people are overexcitable, even when faced with normal stimuli, such as the rubbing of a clothing label or artificial sounds, to the point that these situations can become physically painful.

These stimuli can become a source of continuous stress that causes chronic activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which would keep the organism in a systematic state of fight or flight, triggering a series of changes at the brain level that deteriorate the emotional state.

In fact, neuroscientists at the State University of New York found that more intelligent people with anxiety had a different composition of white matter. They also found that they had a tendency to worry, so thinking about things too much increased their anxiety level.

The good news? A study conducted at Jagiellonian University also found that high intelligence appears to protect certain cognitive functions, such as working memory, from the damaging effects of anxiety.

How to relieve anxiety associated with high IQ?

There are several strategies that can help you calm stress or anxiety linked to intelligence:

1. Turn your thoughts into actions. Sometimes, intelligent people find it difficult to take action because they get stuck analyzing and looking for the best solution. Therefore, try to get to work as soon as possible and turn those thoughts into viable solutions. This way, you will get out of the worry loop and avoid anxiety.
2. Stop over-analyzing. The habit of over-analyzing everything is often exhausting and sometimes even unnecessary. One helpful technique is to set a time limit for thinking about a problem. After that time, commit to accepting a temporary conclusion or postponing the analysis. This will free up mental space for other things and prevent you from feeling constantly anxious.
3. Question your automatic thoughts. Intelligence can create elaborate negative scenarios that generate great distress. It is easy to chain together imaginary misfortunes and setbacks, creating a storm in a teacup. Learning to recognize these thoughts, challenge them with objective evidence, and replace them with more balanced ideas is key to preventing your anxiety from skyrocketing.
4. Focus more on the present. Intelligent minds tend to be 10 steps ahead, which can be positive in some circumstances, but in others it can cause anguish, uncertainty and anxiety. Worried about what could happen tomorrow, you forget about the present. Therefore, from time to time it is good to learn to calm your mind and enjoy the here and now more. Slow down and make sure you enjoy each moment more.
5. Connect with the physical world. Intelligent people tend to constantly seek intellectual stimulation, but it is also important to let the brain rest. Therefore, make sure to reserve moments in the day for lighter activities, such as listening to music, taking a walk in nature or simply resting without feeling guilty for not “taking advantage of the time”. Connecting with your “physical self” through yoga or deep breathing exercises will also help you to put on the handbrake to reduce tension and anxiety.

Finally, remember that intelligence can be a double-edged sword, boosting both success and emotional vulnerability. The ability to anticipate problems and analyze life from multiple angles can be a strength, but it also creates a significant mental burden.

People with anxiety are more intelligent, but they need solid emotional strategies to protect their well-being. Learning to manage this “mental hyperactivity” can help you take advantage of this logical intelligence without suffering its “adverse effects”.

References:

Karpinski, R.I. et. Al. (2018) High intelligence: A risk factor for psychological and physiological overexcitabilities. intelligence ; 66:8-23.

Chuderski, A. (2015) High intelligence prevents the negative impact of anxiety on working memory. Cogn Emot ; 29(7): 1197-1209.

Coplan, J.D. et. Al. (2012) The Relationship between Intelligence and Anxiety: An Association with Subcortical White Matter Metabolism. Front Evol Neurosci ; 3: 8. Catheline-Antipoff, N. & Poinso, F. (1994) Gifted children and dysharmonious development.