High IQ: A risk factor for mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, ASD and immune dysregulation
Source: Intelligence Journal
Summary
A new study that investigated 3,715 individuals with an IQ at or above the 98th percentile revealed a strong link between high cognitive ability and the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It also found increased incidence of conditions involving inflammation and immune dysregulation such as allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disease compared with national averages. In short, highly intelligent individuals are at significantly greater risk of psychological and physiological disorders according to the study published in Intelligence on October 8, 2017.
Claremont, CA. The study reports that highly intelligent people have a significantly increased risk of suffering from a variety of psychological and physiological disorders. Lead author Ruth Karpinski of Pitzer College says the findings have implications for the study of intelligence and psychoneuroimmunology, which examines how chronic stress influences brain-immune communication.
Karpinski and colleagues developed a hyper brain / hyper body theory proposing that individuals with high cognitive ability can have overexcitable emotional and behavioral responses leading to a hyperreactive central nervous system and chronic low-level stress that alters immune function and behavior.
To explore the premise, the researchers surveyed 3,715 members of American Mensa whose verified IQ scores are 130 or above. Participants self-reported diagnosed or suspected mood and anxiety disorders, ADHD, ASD, and physiological conditions including autoimmune disease, environmental and food allergies, and asthma. The team compared these rates against national averages.
Authors note that, for many conditions, a combination of genetics and environment is likely required for manifestation. They also acknowledge limitations, including that Mensa members may not perfectly represent all individuals with high cognitive ability.
Corresponding Author:
Ruth I. Karpinski
ruth_karpinski@pitzer.edu
1-909-214-3431
Pitzer College
Link to study: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160289616303324
To Cite:
Karpinski, R. I., Kinase Kolb, A. M., Tetreault, N. A., & Borowski, T. B. (2017). High intelligence: A risk factor for psychological and physiological overexcitabilities. Intelligence. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intell.2017.09
