Are genius's insane?

Question

Throughout history many people who were genius's were concidered insane. Do you think they were really insane? I personally think they have so much information going through their heads that some of them can't handle it and go insane, or they are so advanced people don't understand them and label them insane. That is just my theory. What do you think?

I am not saying all of them were I personally don't think they were insane they just got labeled insane

Answer 1

I was reading an article the other day about the link between high IQ and mental illnesses. Based on the studies it referenced, it claimed people with really high IQs were actually slightly less likely to be schizophrenic, paranoid, or depressed than people with moderately high to average IQs, but they were slightly more likely to have OCD. This isn't to say if you have OCD you're a genius, or if you're depressed you're not; it was a very small but statistically significant correlation.

It was an interesting article, but I can't remember where I saw it.

So, if that's true, I think its more likely that geniuses are just a bit eccentric, and are labeled as insane, but aren't really mentally ill any more often than the rest of us are.

Answer 2

I think a genius is not understood in his/her own time. The fact that the person 'sees' understands things that others do not, is just from being so very smart and observing things so closely. Even I am supposed to be some sort of genius, at least I belong to Pi Gamma Mu, was chosen for it, meaning I am part of Mensa. I don't feel I am that smart at all, but, I DO see lots of things differently than most people. I see possibilities that other people don't seem to have thought of, and it always surprises me that they have not considered these things. Time usually tells us if a person was insane or really smart! If you are a genius, do not let it concern you! Just be yourself, and think your thoughts, and write them down for later. You may find that, in your time, people begin to realize things you already believed to be true.

Answer 3

The current thought among some mental health professionals I've talked to is that they were bi-polar. During the manic stages, they came up with all kinds of new discoveries and inventions. Later they hit the depressive phase and had all kinds of problems.

I tend to agree. I'm bi-polar. Some days I can figure anything out and do anything I put my mind to. Other days I can barely get off the couch and make a sandwich.

Answer 4

Genius? probable. Insane? not likely. incredibly ingenious in a extraordinary way? confident. devil? uncertain, because of fact he might rather much certainly be extra common. additionally, he may be a great letdown because of fact the terrific evil capacity and damaging scourge of the international. he's largely a wierd singer-songwriter, it somewhat is all.

Answer 5

Labels, goo dpoint.
Well, there is a gene that tends to come out in one family memebr as genius, and in another, as insanity, usually schizophrenia.
So, there you go.
The gene sets you up, but your life gives different expression to it.

Answer 6

I will take from a famous quote: "There's a thin line between genius and insanity"...... It all depend on how you look at it...

Answer 7

You don't think that maybe insanity make people to be genius???

Answer 8

I don't think they are insane...they are just not balanced people. They are only good at doing one thing better compared to other people...but lacking other skills..

Answer 9

Some are, some aren't. That's like saying, "are geniuses dorky?" Some are, and some aren't.

Answer 10

Not all geniuses are insane. One of my best friends was one and he wasn't insance at all.