Mistakenly, a high IQ doesn’t always mean real-world success and a fulfilling life. Find out what challenges exceptionally intelligent people face. 

When we think about intelligent people, we always associate them with smart minds, success, a unique sense of humor, and excellence in problem-solving. Just as if a high IQ score is a golden ticket to a better life. These people excel in academics, careers, and life in general. 

However, that is far away from the truth in many cases. Being exceptionally intelligent comes with its own drawbacks. Many people with high IQs frequently face challenges that an average person may not fully understand. 

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Challenges exceptionally intelligent people face

Social isolation and difficulty in relationships 

Highly intelligent individuals tend to think differently, process information faster, and engage in deeper levels of analysis. On the one hand, it’s an advantage. On the other hand, it can create a communication gap between them and other people. Thus, it leads to social isolation. 

There’s no sense in figuring out whose fault it is. It’s just that conversations that seem captivating and engaging for people with high IQs might seem dull and boring for other people with average IQs. This difference can lead to misunderstanding and frustration. Ultimately, such people have difficulties in forming relationships with other people. 

If you’re highly intelligent, it doesn’t mean that your emotional intelligence score is as high. Individuals struggle to understand social cues, which in turn leads to challenging interpersonal relationships. 

The greatest example would be Walter O’Brien from the TV series Scorpion (aka </SCORPION>). Walter’s IQ score is around 200. He struggles to form relationships because he lacks emotional intelligence and social skills. His highly analytical mind makes it difficult for him to understand emotions, empathize, or engage in small talk, often leading to misunderstandings and alienation. Walter’s struggles highlight how extreme intelligence can sometimes create barriers to forming deep personal connections, as emotions and human relationships often do not follow pure logic. 

Overthinking and anxiety 

Overthinking and anxiety are probably familiar to everyone on the planet. However, it comes to another level when we’re talking about people with high intelligence. With it, a heightened ability to foresee potential problems often comes. 

Surely, it’s an advantage for problem-solving situations but it also makes people prone to overthinking. These individuals may find themselves caught in loops of analysis paralysis. That’s why there can be a struggle with making decisions as they overanalyze every possible outcome. 

Moreover, they see flaws in every aspect more clearly. They find many flaws in society, justice, relationships, and systems. In turn, this leads to cynicism and dissatisfaction as they don’t understand why other people can’t do things in a more logical way. Additionally, when many things are beyond their control, it brings a feeling of helplessness. 

Unrealistic expectations and perfectionism 

A high IQ may make a person excel in several subjects. And if they can, why cannot others? That’s how much people may struggle with unrealistic expectations from themselves and other people. 

Moreover, perfectionism comes as another challenge. Intelligent people often set pretty high standards which many people may not live up to. But, most importantly, they set high standards for themselves, and it leads to deep frustration when they can’t meet their expectations. That’s why they may avoid starting new projects because they’re afraid of not doing it in the best way. 

Difficulty in finding purpose and motivation 

For most people with an average IQ score, challenges bring motivation. They keep going, learning, and doing what needs to be done to succeed. However, the smartest people on the planet may not find challenges difficult enough to ignite their inner spark. 

Eventually, it can lead to an existential struggle to find purpose. Intelligent individuals often feel disconnected from the norms of success set by the society they live in. Many of them start questioning whether material goals and achievements truly matter. Thus, despite their great potential, they may live an unfulfilled life. 

Struggles with authority and conformity 

Probably, a person with a high IQ score may not be the best fit for a soldier since they tend to question rules and norms rather than follow them blindly. Surely, such independent thinking can lead to innovation and progress.

Here are some highly intelligent individuals with remarkable IQ scores who have invented significant things: 

• Nikola Tesla; 

• Leonardo da Vinci; 

• Thomas Edison; 

• Albert Einstein. 

And there’s no need to remind what these greatest minds have invented. However, would you be able to imagine them working in an office? 

Such people may feel frustrated with bureaucracy, inefficiency, and illogical decision-making typical to many workplaces. That’s why such people are more accustomed to working independently, in a space where creativity and rational thinking prevail.

Main takeaway 

Intelligence is a double-edged sword. While a high IQ score presents many advantages, it also comes with significant challenges. There is social isolation, overthinking, and perfectionism among them. Thus, the development of intelligence should always go with the development of emotional resilience, balance, and social skills.