ABSTRACT
Paradoxical research is presented where extreme intelligence or high IQ/giftedness is correlated with the highest of human achievement as well as with higher rates of career difficulty, mental illness, and substance use. Research on the higher incidence of psychopathology and autism in extremely high-IQ individuals is considered. The neuropsychology of creativity is discussed, explaining how the capacity for genius (an aspect of which is termed “psychoticism”) can edge towards the risk of madness (psychosis). Misdiagnosis of giftedness is discussed, with a focus on how Sonja Falck’s “Naive Child” profile relates to autism and her “Arrogant Emperor” profile to narcissism. It is explained how social systems’ tendencies to pathologise and suppress non-compliance do not support the healthy development of genius with its essence of nonconformity. It is shown that although genius is empirically linked with madness, achieving genius is impossible without discipline, rationality, and sustained effort. Robust self-regulation, rooted in infant-caregiver co-regulation and supported in adult co-regulating relationships, helps contain the dangers of self-destructiveness. The importance is emphasised of attachment relationships in providing drive and succour for superlative creative achievement or becoming a catalyst in disturbance and despair. Famous cases are given of this, including in music, sport, mathematics, and art.
