u/chijeupeulleiteu

I just watched a YouTube video on highly intelligent people and the scientific research surrounding their unique struggles. As someone with ADHD (potentially AuDHD) and an IQ around 130, I recognized several traits in myself that I previously attributed solely to neurodivergence. There seems to be a massive overlap. Is it possible that many of my struggles actually stem from high intelligence rather than ADHD? How can one differentiate? Are there any scientific studies about this?

• Unceasing Inner Monologue: My brain is constantly processing thoughts; I am in a perpetual internal dialogue and crave sharing these reflections. There is no off-switch.
• Emotional Intensity & Empathy: I feel emotions much more deeply than others and possess a highly developed sense of empathy.
• Rapid Boredom: In ADHD, this is a dopamine deficiency requiring constant stimulation. With a high IQ, repetition is an absolute nightmare. The result is identical.
• Procrastination & Overwhelm: High-IQ individuals procrastinate because they are acutely aware of a project's vast complexity. ADHD minds require urgency over priority, engaging only when adrenaline kicks in. Different mechanics, same paralyzing outcome.
• Constant Re-evaluation: A tendency to rethink everything. In ADHD, this is due to unfiltered sensory input; with a high IQ, it is the ability to dynamically update your mental model when faced with contradicting evidence.
• The Alienation Factor: Highly intelligent people seek deep, intellectual connections, but the statistical pool is tiny. Even meeting someone with the same IQ does not guarantee a personality match. This leads to masking and feeling disconnected—a struggle mirrored exactly in ADHD.