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Could anxiety and overthinking actually be signs of higher intelligence? Some studies suggest a link between anxiety, verbal intelligence, and problem-solving ability; but scientific reality is far more nuanced.
Long seen purely as a burden, anxiety now intrigues researchers for one unexpected reason: its possible association with higher forms of intelligence. On social media and in some media outlets, one often reads that “anxious people have higher IQs.” But what do scientific studies really say? Should stress and rumination be seen as indicators of superior intelligence or is this just another unfounded trend? Let’s explore this complex question through the lenses of psychology, neuroscience, and human evolution.
The idea that anxiety could be linked to intelligence isn’t new. Several scientific studies, often highlighted in the press, have found that patients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) tend to score higher on certain IQ tests -particularly those assessing verbal intelligence- than non-anxious individuals [1].
A 2012 study published in Frontiers in Evolutionary Neuroscience even suggested that excessive worry (the tendency to “overthink”) might be an evolutionary legacy: anticipating threats and imagining complex scenarios could have helped our ancestors avoid danger and improve their chances of survival. This anticipatory ability, once useful for spotting predators or natural hazards, might today manifest as chronic anxiety.
Other researchers have also noted a positive correlation, in specific populations (students, psychiatric patients), between levels of worry and performance on cognitive tests, especially verbal ones [2].
A Modest and Nuanced Link
Can these results be generalized? The answer is a bit foggy. Indeed, the correlations observed are often modest, i.e. that even if there is a link between anxiety and intelligence, it explains only a small part of individual differences. Most highly anxious people do not have higher IQs, and the reverse is equally true.
Moreover, not all studies point in the same direction. Several large-scale studies found that high intelligence is not a risk factor for anxiety disorders and might even protect against long-term anxiety [3].
The relationship may also depend on the type of intelligence being measured: the connection seems stronger with verbal intelligence (facility with words and reasoning through language) than with other forms, such as logical or spatial intelligence. One hypothesis is that anxious rumination often takes the form of “talking to oneself,” which heavily engages verbal skills [4].
Beware of Interpretive Bias
Numerous biases must also be considered. Most studies are observational and show correlation at a given point in time but cannot determine whether anxiety causes intelligence, intelligence fosters anxiety, or whether a third factor (such as sensitivity or education) influences both.
Other factors like socioeconomic background, family environment, or access to education can also shape both anxiety levels and performance on intelligence tests.
Finally, there’s a publication and selection bias: studies reporting “surprising” results are more likely to be published and shared, while those showing no link receive less attention.
The popularity of the idea that “overthinking means intelligence” probably stems from its comforting appeal. In a society that prizes cognitive success, it’s tempting to turn suffering (anxiety, doubt, stress) into a virtue. It also serves as a form of self-rehabilitation: if I worry, it’s because I perceive more, anticipate better, understand complex scenarios. A seductive narrative; but one that must be handled with care.
Scientific reality is more balanced: yes, some anxious individuals display high cognitive skills, particularly in verbal domains. But chronic anxiety remains a source of distress, and there is no evidence that it causes superior intelligence. Ultimately, intelligence and anxiety are both multifaceted and mental suffering should never be idealized. Persistent anxiety deserves attention and care from a professional, not glorification as a sign of genius.
1 - Frontiers in Evolutionary Neuroscience, 2012 -Intelligence and anxiety: “The worrying mind is a more intelligent mind”
2 - Personality and Individual Differences, 2014 -Intelligence and rumination
3 - Intelligence and psychiatric disorders, 2023 -PMC9879926
4 - Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2013 -Trait anxiety and brain activation during verbal tasks
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