Mental illness. The mere echo of the term immediately conjures up thoughts of insane asylums, psychopaths, serial killers, and overall, violence. The negative associations are attributed to the beginnings of treatment for such disorders, which began around 5000 BC and consisted of unorthodox methods. Somehow, these defamatory images made their way to the present along with other stereotypes (dullness of mind and slowness) and continues to hinder the reputation of the 26.2 percent of people diagnosed with mental disorders each year (thekimfoundation.org).

Mental disorders don’t stem from a single cause. Some are linked to abnormal functioning of nerve cell circuits that connect to particular cell regions, while others stem from infections, genetics, brain defects or injury, prenatal damage, substance abuse, poor nutrition, and exposure to toxins (webmd.com, nami.org). Illnesses stemming from abnormal nerve cell function occur because of a disruption in neurotransmitters, or chemicals that allow the nerve cell circuits to communicate (webmd.com). In summation, mental disorders are simply a chemical imbalance in the brain. At least 45% of people in their entire lifetime will experience or be eligible to be diagnosed with 2 mental disorders (thekimfoundation.org).

People with mental illnesses have been stigmatized for not fitting into the definition of “normal”. A characteristic commonly associated with mental illnesses is the lack of intelligence. However, the consideration of such an attribute in those with mental disorders is shortsighted and a senseless argument in itself.

In fact, more than 30 studies show that higher intelligence is linked to mental disorders. A 2009 study from researchers at the University of Toronto and the Samuel Lunenfeld Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital show that the same protein linked to spatial memory and curiosity (the neuronal calcium sensor-1 protein) is also linked to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (Matthew Mientka, medicaldaily.com). The bridge between intelligence and mental disorders is one of undeniable certainty. Another research study shows health problems are more four times more common in young adults who earn straight A-’s. More shocking to some is a study at the University Kuopio in Finland that showed the potent correlation between one specific disorder and high-scores (Matthew Mientka, medicaldaily.com). The illness? Bipolar disorder.

As the studies demonstrate, the most prominent mental disorder among people with high intelligence is bipolar disorder. The correlation between the risk of contracting bipolar disorder  high arithmetic intellectual performance was analyzed through arithmetic test scores, which required the ability to process information quickly to obtain a high score. The high scorers display not only high processing power, but a “tendency to experience mania, a state of high focus and psychomotor activity” as well (Matthew Mientka, medicaldaily.com).  The British Journal of Psychiatry further supports this connection (Matthew Mientka, medicaldaily.com). Many of the most recognized and brilliant historical figures were diagnosed with  bipolar disorder including Vincent van Gogh (painter of the infamous Starry Night), 20th-century English novelist Virginia Woolf, the acclaimed Ludwig van Beethoven, internationally-loved President Theodore Roosevelt, Winston Churchill (who won the Nobel Prize for Literature),  dark and mysterious Edgar Allan Poe, and the distinguished Mark Twain (mental-health-today.com).

These intelligent beings are only a small slice of the spectrum. The list is extensive and continuous. Sixteenth President of the U.S. Abraham Lincoln suffered from severe depression. Genius Isaac Newton, one of the most influential scientists of all time and developer of calculus, even wrote a book about his struggle with manic depression titled “The Key to Genius: Manic Depression” (everydayhealth.com). Newton also established the fundamentals of mechanics. One of the world’s greatest artistic geniuses, Michelangelo, also discusses his depression in “The Dynamics of Creation” by Anthony Storr (everydayhealth.com). Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Ernest Hemingway struggled with suicidal depression (everydayhealth.com). Lastly, widely-recognized Charles Dickens suffered from clinical depression (everydayhealth.com). The brightest of intellectuals celebrated today suffered from mental illnesses. However, even their mental conditions didn’t cease their possibility of success. On the contrary: most of these historical figures were too advanced for their time. They saw the world in a different perspective. They challenged popular belief, and pushed boundaries.  Aside from bipolar disorder and depression, other brilliant minds didn’t allow these so-called “illnesses” to decrease their opportunities at success, much less degrade them of their intelligence. Autism affected the early life of one of the most recognized name in science: Albert Einstein.   

IQs are also linked to mental disorders. A Lakehead University study discovered that anxiety leads to high IQs (Matthew Mientka, medicaldaily.com). IQs aren’t an efficient way to determine levels of intelligence, however, because those with anxiety disorders were discovered to have higher IQs than those who didn’t (Matthew Mientka, medicaldaily.com) Although this group of people have difficulty interacting with people around them, they show a fascinating focus on the mentality of others and are “gifted empaths”, meaning they are able to perceive physical sensitivities, spiritual urges, motivations, and intentions of other people (feelguide.com). The gift is a result of  the right side of empaths’ brains operating above normal levels. meaning they are able to function based on intuition (feelguide.com).  IQs are inaccurate for determining someone’s intelligence, since those with mental disorders tend to gain higher IQs.

In comparison to primitive days when mental illnesses were considered demonic

possessions, determinants of bad fate, and as a form of punishment for sins, extensive studies show these illnesses are nothing more than a chemical imbalance in the brain.  Mental disorders don’t signify a lack of intelligence.