In case you haven’t noticed, some of the most intelligent people fail to find happiness. While their lives may seem perfect on the outside, there is something bothering them deeply on the inside.

You see there are eight things almost all intelligent people have in common that seem to hold them back from being happy. These things are not their fault and it essentially boils down to them not being able to tell their mind to shut up. Deep thinkers do not just get to pick and choose when they think deeply, it just happens, all the time.

8 reasons why happiness is hard to find for highly intelligent people:

1. Lots of people with a high IQ suffer from things like psychological problems.

Yes, this is true. There have even been several studies linking psychiatric disorders like social anxiety with people who have higher IQs. That being said intelligent people who do not suffer from any specific sort of mental disorder are still prone to things like existential depression. This being the result of thinking too much.

2. Their reality is not enough for them.

They want more, people who have higher IQs often continually seek out something ‘bigger.’ They want a meaning or a purpose. They do not want this life to have been for nothing.

3. They need deep communication and understanding.

Deep communication and understanding are two things a highly intelligent person is usually lacking. They need people on the same level as them to understand them. Sadly most deep thinkers feel alone in this world, it is rare that they have the pleasure of meeting someone on their level who ‘gets’ them.

4. They have high standards.

Smart people are not going to settle for anything less that what they want or need. It is hard for them to see their accomplishments as accomplishments because of this. They spend a lot of time being disappointed.

5. They over analyze everything.

They are constantly over-thinking. This can be draining and leave them feeling more anxious than before.

6. They are too hard on themselves.

Intelligent people spend a lot of time trying to do their bests and even when they succeed they do not feel like their best was good enough. Because they overthink so much, there is always something they feel they could have or should have done better.

7. They do not open up easily.

Intelligent people are a bit mysterious when you really think about it. They are often not willing to open up to people because they do not think they will be understood or accepted fully. The intelligent person is often lonely because of these, even when surrounded by friends and family they feel out of place.

8. They come off as jerks sometimes.

This is something that conflicts the intelligent person on the inside. They want to help others but when they try to sometimes people take their help the wrong way. People will either think they are being rude and not accept their advice or take advantage of their kindness. I wish there were some normal middle ground but when it comes to this one there is not.

Intelligent people can find happiness but it is a feat in itself. If you can relate to these struggles let us know. What else do you feel makes intelligent people less skilled at being happy?

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