Mental health myths: Intelligence

Sometimes, I take the opportunity to discuss mental health myths and the truths behind them. There is so much misinformation out there and we all need to do our part to help others see the truth about mental illness. This time, I’m talking about intelligence.

Myth: People with mental illnesses are less intelligent.

Fact: Mental illnesses, learning disorders and intellectual disabilities are not the same thing.

   

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While psychologists diagnose mental illnesses, learning disabilities and intellectual disabilities, they are not the same thing. What we commonly refer to as “mental illness” generally means the emotional disorders, with symptoms such as depression, anxiety, psychosis and so on. These are what I talk about most of the time on this blog. They don’t, however, have anything to do with how intelligent you are.

Learning disorders are when you have a problem with your cognition that leaves you on unequal footing with your peers when it comes to your capacity to learn. These include, for instance, dyslexia, math disability and, depending on who you ask, ADHD. These are caused by the way your brain processes information. But they still aren’t a measure of how intelligent you are, just the way you learn and what you struggle with.

Intellectual disabilities are about intelligence. While the actual diagnostic criteria are a little more complicated, they are generally considered to be associated with an IQ of 70 or lower. Since the average IQ is 100 (more or less), this puts someone with an intellectual disability at a serious disadvantage. For comparison, above average intelligence is generally considered 110 and higher. That means that the difference between average and gifted is smaller than that of average and intellectually disabled. An intellectual disability therefore means that you have very real struggles in your day-to-day functioning. 

So how do they all relate? 

• Mental illness is not correlated with IQ.

• You can have a learning disorder without having an intellectual disability.

• Intellectual disabilities and learning disorders can influence each other, but one is not a measure of the other.

Think of the whole “crazy genius” archetype, if nothing else. There have been enough people with extraordinary intelligence and a mental illness for that idea to even exist. Anecdotally, some of the smartest people I’ve met have struggled with some form of mental illness or even a learning disorder. People considered intelligent are just as likely to have a mental illness as those who are less intelligent. 

Intelligence is also not measured perfectly by IQ testing. Artistic aptitude, for instance, is not measured on standardized tests. Neither are your ability to build something with your hands or your social intelligence. The truth is, intelligence comes in many forms. And here another archetype comes into place: the idiot savant. There are people who struggle with overall intelligence, but are geniuses in a specific area. These individuals can have just as much to offer as anyone else, just in a very specific way.

Whether someone has a mental illness, a learning disorder, an intellectual disability or none of these at all, everyone deserves respect. Don’t treat others as if you assume they are “stupid.” Differences in intelligence are a part of human existence, just like race, sexuality, religion, physical illnesses and so on. And remember that emotional disorders have nothing to do with intelligence. They happen to the best of us.

What has your experience been with mental illness and intelligence? Share your stories in the comments.