too smart for schizophrenia?

Question

can you be too smart to be a schizophernic? I'm definatly on the edge of being a schizophrenic, I could explain it but I don't think it's neccessary. I feel I'm too smart to fall for paranoia such as people thinking they're spying on me, people poisoning me I've done a lot of research on it so I know many of the typical paranoid symptoms so I can't fall for them. The only thing my mind has been doing to me is my mind has created fake smells I've been smelling for almost a year trying to get rid of it but thats all. So can I be too smart to be a schizophrenic? I feel I am and I don't want to be a schizophrenic.

Answer 1

no, it is a mental illness completely out of your control. no book in the world will help you 'out think' it. it is just a 'crossed wire' somewhere in your brain that needs to be medicinally corrected.

Answer 2

Schizophrenia has no relation to intelligence. Most people with Schizophrenia I know of seem to have average intelligence, some are mentally retarded and a few have high IQs. My brother in law had schizophrenia and he was working on a PhD (he committed suicide). You can't be "too intelligent to have schizophrenia"--it just doesn't work that way.

You can have hallucinations or delusions (paranoia) without having schizophrenia; either one could be part of other mental disorders. Also, someone can have hallucinations without paranoia and vice versa. Another type of delusion is grandiosity--believing you are very important or better than others; some people even believe they are God or Jesus.

If you are having olfactory hallucinations, you should go to a doctor. It could also be a sign of seizures, cranial nerve damage, or something else.

Answer 3

Most people who are schizophrenic usually have a high IQ. You could have some paranoia and not even realize it. Where you diagnosed with Schizophrenia by a Physician? And are you on medication? And if your brain is creating smells that are not there, than I think I would go to a neurologist and be checked out. This sometime's can be an indication of a brain tumor. I am not saying that that is what you have, but I would look into it. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Right organ, wrong dx. You need a neurologist, not a psychiatrist.

Smell hallucinations are fairly common symptoms of simple partial seizures. It could also indicate something else going haywire upstairs, including brain tumor, aneurism and some other nasty stuff.

So, use your smarts while you have them and make an appt with a neurologist. Whatever you got going on, it's only going to get more serious untreated.

PS - Schizophrenics tend to have slightly less than the average IQ. Bipolars tend to be smarter than average. In either case, intelligence has nothing to do with mental illness.

Answer 5

You may not have the paranoia. You may be schizophrenic with out being paranoid.



BUT....... being paranoid doesn't mean you think the things you listed. That is the extreme end of PS.

My hubby is PS, and he is paranoid about everyday things. Like today he was worried about watering the pigeons, yesterday it was a call from the VA and he saw the caller ID and got all worried about that. He will fret and worry about the littlest things.



He even at one time thought I was 'out to get him'. Not in the way of doing bodily harm, but mental harm. (Oh that was years of sheer misery, because nothing I did would calm those fears)

He worries about an address, and will ask five times if I have it when we are looking for something. I say yes five times. And he even will go a day ahead to find a place, if it is possible.

He hears something and worries about that unduly. I wouldn't tell him they found a lump on my breast until, it was found to be benign.

Because it would be everyday explaining what they are doing, have done, and will do. Because the paranoia just will not let him accept that things are in control.

He worries about our children, and not being able to live their lives. They cannot make a decision, that he will worry and becaome paranoid of the consequenses. Even day to day decisions. They are married and on their own for over five years.

He will check and see if he has his medication three times between the time we leave our house and the place we are going, then two more times there.

And you aren't 'too smart',... you just simply do not exhibit those symptoms.

But your words show that you are a bit paranoid. You are afraid that you will sink to thinking that these far out paranoia's are real. And you are paranoid that people will think badly of you.

You may never have to wear a 'tin hat', but the paranoia's may be in the more common and day to day areas of your life.

My advice, if you are diagnosed PS or just S, take your medicines faithfully, never believe you do not need them.

Write a note and leave it on the cabinent where the meds will be kept, that 'if you go off of them, you will become the 'tin hat' person you never want to become.'

If you are not in a relationship now, do not get into one, until your meds and life is adjusted. The stress it takes for a relationship can cause you to have paranoias and unfounded ones agaisnt your innocent mate.

If you are in a relationship, then realize the person loves you and is not out to get you.

But it will be hard for them too. They will have to put up with and deal with things, and you will never know they are doing it.

(We have beat the odds, I refused to give up on my hubby, even though I am bi-polar and most marriages with PS break up, but nearly all with both mental illnesses thrown in)

I will repeat, because it is so important, do not go off the meds, because you think you are better. or some herbal guru said you can handle it with herbs or this machine or that chair.

I am one for natural cures, but with mental illnesses I do not take a chance.

Also realize you are not a freak, you are not bad. You have a few wires that are not connecting and chemicals that are not producing in your body. That only makes you imperfect, not horrible.

If you need more details, be specific and add more to the OP.

I will try to watch this thread specifically.

Answer 6

Intelligence doesn't affect who has schizophrenia. Once your mind goes, it goes. Smelling something that isn't real doesn't sound like schizophrenia to me. I think that you have to hear "voices" or have extreemly bizzare hallucinations. There is a book of Diagnostic Criteria that psychiatrists/psychologists use that has the necessary symptoms to be diagnosed w/schizophrenia that is online for free. If you are smelling something that isn't there, I would definately go to a doctor. Expecially since it is affecting your brain. It could be something mild to even a brain tumor (not to scare you). There are a lot of medical and psycological disorders that have somewhat simiar symptoms.

Answer 7

Many schizophenics have actually been brilliant. have you heard of John Nash from "A beautiful mind"? So..The answer to your question is no. I can understand your not wanting to be labeled with a disorder you feel you do not have. A GOOD psychiatrist can make an accurate diagnosis based on an extensive interview with you. Anything short of that, such as snap or hastily made assessments can be inaccurate. Hospital settings tend to deal with crisis situations. it would be best, if you can afford it, to see a psychiatrist that actually talks to his patients. It is not that easy to find such a doctor but they are out there. As a paramedic I often come in contact with schizophrenic patients that are off of their medications. I also have experienced seeing some after treatment and the difference is vast. Good luck to you.

Answer 8

The thing is, it's not something you can be "too smart for". Your intelligence may help you in ignoring it and therapy with it and it'll defiantly help with any meds you may be taking or start taking.

No one is immune to something like schizophrenia. It can happen to anyone, no matter their intelligence or awareness of the disease.

Answer 9

Having a mental illness has nothing to do with your intelligence, or being smart for that matter.I think Schizophrenia has more to do with the nervous system.If you want to make sure that you aren't, talk to a doctor.Or, maybe a psychiatrist.

Answer 10

Rent the movie, "A beautiful mind" with Russell Crowe.
Schizophrenia is common in very bright people, in fact, it is found in 1% of the population. It is even found in geniuses.
Why not visit a psychiatrist and discuss your symptoms. If needed, some medications can help. If not, your mind will be at ease.

Answer 11

No, you can't be too smart for schizophrenia. It's all about the chemistry of the brain, not your knowledge.