<p>When we talk about our problems we have to assign causes or explanations to them concisely because that’s the only way we can talk about them. </p>
<p>The harm in doing this is that we might reinforce the idea that our problems are the simple, one word thing we tell everyone (in your case your intelligence), etc. </p>
<p>I believe you believe your problems are due to intelligence, but I’m uncertain of the truth of your belief. It’s very tempting to assign clear causes to things, to explain things, and so on. </p>
<p>I don’t know - would it be helpful if you lost the belief that your intelligence was the cause of some of your problems? do you think that belief is inhibiting (like maybe by being self-fufilling)? What if you decided the cause of not fitting in was pure misfortune, that everyone has a probability to not fit in, and that you just happened to be one of the unlucky ones.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t deny that intelligence is a relevant variable in terms of how likely one is to fit in. But I would say there are a lot of other variables that usually dominate, or at least interface with intelligence to make it more important.</p>
<p>If you can say intelligence is the cause, then I would guess there are a lot of equally culpable unnamed things. I don’t know if focusing on one of the contributing causes, assuming there are others besides intelligence, is healthy. It’s natural to do that though.</p>
<p>Well, that is very wise of you. I’m sure my problems have multiple causes. The trouble is I can only think of one at a time. I think while I was in the hospital that limitation was exacerbated.</p>
<p>I definitely agree that labeling yourself as “smart” is a very touchy subject in our society. Just look at our political discourse, people are constantly throwing around the word “elitist” when they speak of politicians who are open about the fact that they are well educated. George W. Bush is a great example of someone who despite being born incredibly rich and privileged, is not criticized for being so because he doesn’t sound very intelligent when he speaks. This is part of what makes it so hard for someone who grows up thinking in a different way than the average American.</p>
<p>I understand that being labelled “smart” at an early age can make it very hard to adapt socially. However this could also be due to the fact that “smart” people are already predisposed to social issues and mental illness because of their make-up. For example some of the most creative individuals have had bipolar disorder and the “mania” state associated with the disorder might actually be responsible for exceptional creativity when it has not reached a point that is out of control. Often people who are very “smart” think in very unconventional ways and this can be off putting to some people.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, whatever the cause, it is not easy to be different and it makes it much more stressful to get by.</p>