I have become depressed due to being intelligent. What do I do?

[Scarletttttttttt]

I'm intelligent. Not particularly in a book smart way, but in the way I think about everything in general ( hopefully this makes sense). I've recently been diagnosed with depression. The reason why I'm depressed is due to the fact that I have no one on the same level of intelligence as me to communicate with. Everyone I know has the exact same left winged politically correct opinions, no one think for themselves nor ever questions things. They just except everything that the mainstream media and education system spoon feeds them. I'm very interested in whats going on in politics and social situations.Due to this I know a lot more about the world then the average person does. I have no issues with socialising with others, it's just no longer enjoyable as I always have to explain everything to them. I feel like I'm a pre-school teacher teaching kids the alphabet. An example of this is recently I had to explain to a guy I know, that Sharia law is Islamic oppression. I thought that was general knowledge, but clearly it isn't. I basically have no proper friends due to me not wanting to socialise with idiots. I've tries looking online to see if anyone else has gone through this before and all that popped up was articles on Albert Einstein having depression & other articles alike. Having no one to communicate with is starting to make me become emotionally unstable and gradually insane. What do I do?

[JessF]

Hello Scarlet... so let me see if I've understood correctly. I may not be the smartest person in the room, so I like to clarify when I speak with people to ensure I've got things right.

You've recently been diagnosed with depression, and you believe your depression is caused by the people around you. You feel very politically and socially engaged, but your opinions don't match the people around you, and because of this you believe they aren't as smart as you - in fact, you believe them to be idiots.

These differences of opinion have often led you into arguments and you now feel you have no one left to talk to.

Is that about right?

[Scarletttttttttt]

Yes that is correct. Sorry if it sounds stuck up, I'm not intending to be.

[JessF]

Ok, good that I've understood the situation correctly! 🙂

I'm interested that you thought that, on reflection, this may have come across as 'stuck up', as this is not your intention.

If you and I had met somewhere for the first time, and were having a conversation, and you thought to yourself after listening to me speak, "Gee she sounds stuck up"... how do you think the conversation would go from there?

[quirkywords]

Scarletttttttttttttt

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I guess some confusion.

Intelligence as you know takes many formsas people can shine in different areas.

You may find that people who don't have the same views or same knowledge as you may have other areas of expertise that you don't share.

I like talking to people who are passionate about something whether it be their, work, their studies, mythology, sports, baking etc . I find everyone has a story to tell and one can learn a lot by listening.

I understand it can be frustrating if you feel no one is really communicating in your level, but could you try to find out what other people have to offer.

Depression is awful and is caused by many things.

Quirkywords

[Croix]

Dear Scarletttttttttt~

I"m sorry of your recent diagnosis. Depression is a terrible thing. Hopefully treatment will be greatly effective for you, it is for most.

I would not question your intelligence, or the fact that you may have conducted research.

I would however like to make a couple of suggestions for your consideration.

Firstly that by and large people do not live in isolation and genuinely need others to live a full balanced life.

Secondly that the 'worth' of a person is important. Their kindness, honesty, reliability and so on.

Would you like to comment?

Croix

[Kazzl]

Hello Scarlet, welcome to the forum. I relate to some of the things you say from when I was young (and I'm wondering how old you are if you don't mind saying). And just to state my credentials 😀 I was in the top two percent of the state in my higher school certificate results (been going downhill ever since haha).

I was a very serious person at uni - always involved in student politics and a political party. I couldn't understand why others didn't think like me, and I dismissed a lot of people as stupid. I was always in arguments over politics and the state of the world. I was also pushy, cajoled others into doing what I wanted - because I absolutely believed it was the right thing to do.

I'm wondering Scarlet, as well as the depression, do you ever have times of very high energy? Do you find projects or causes that you devote endless hours to, only to lose interest later? I did, still do sometimes. Do you ever find your mind racing and keeping you awake? I'm interested in your answers.

For me, things changed a bit as I got older - I started to realise that intelligence is not the only quality of value. Took me a while to realise that, but now I see that many many other qualities are just as important - especially compassion and kindness, a sense of humour and fun, and gentleness. I guess that's the reality of living in a tough world having its effect, and the dayliness of having to work, raise a family, worry about everyday things instead of the big things. I'm still quite political, but it's now in a different context - little things matter more, and people all have value to me (well, there are exceptions in the White House).

Maybe think about the people you dismiss - even though they're not so smart, what other qualities do they have? You'll see them if you look hard.

And have a think about what people have said and asked in the responses here - and I hope you'll come back to us.

Very best wishes to you

Kaz

BTW - I think you're terrific for reaching out here. That tells me you're open to hearing the views of others. When we do that though we don't always get validation (I've fallen for that in the past). Sometimes we get challenged and while that's a very good thing, it's not easy. I reckon you're up to it though.