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Intelligence & Anxiety

Low IQs have been associated with higher levels of anxiety. IQ stands for intelligence quotient; it is a numerical figure, determined through testing, used as an indicator of a person's level of intelligence. Anxiety disorders exist in different forms, but they all involve fear and worry that is out of proportion to a given situation.

  1. Anxiety Disorder

    • Anxiety is a normal physical and mental response to stress or danger. An anxiety disorder refers to the condition of persistent, unwarranted anxiety that inhibits normal functioning. There are different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of an anxiety disorder may vary among individuals and the types of disorders. According to HelpGuide.org, typical symptoms may include feelings of tension, fear of impending danger, headaches, sleep disturbances, sweating and increased heart rate.

    IQ and Anxiety

    • According to the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), a 1967 study claims that there are "significant negative correlations" between intelligence and anxiety, poor impulse control and careless behavior, meaning that high levels of intelligence were found to be associated with low levels of anxiety, impulsive behavior and carelessness. More recently, research conducted by a team from the Harvard School of Public Health and described in a 2008 article in the Harvard Crimson finds that those born with low IQs are at increased risk of developing "chronic psychiatric disorders," such as an anxiety disorder, in adulthood.

    Cause

    • The Harvard researchers identified a link between low childhood IQ and increased risk of developing generalized anxiety disorder, depression, and/or schizophrenia. However, the nature of the connection between low IQs and psychiatric disorders remains unclear. The research team speculates that those with low IQs may not have adequate intellectual resources required for dealing with "modern complex daily life," making them susceptible to psychological impairment.

    ADHD

    • According to research published in 2008 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, young people with high IQs and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) exhibited "significantly" increased rates of anxiety, as well as increased mood and behavioral disturbances. ADHD was found to correlate with poor academic and social functioning in spite of high IQs.

    Considerations

    • According to HealthyPlace.com, people with conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder, attention deficit disorder (ADD) and depression may not perform well on an IQ test due to their condition. Therefore, the IQ test would not accurately reveal the person's level of intelligence.

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