High intelligence and the risk of ADHD and other psychopathology

Nanda Rommelse; Kevin Antshel; Stijn Smeets; Corina Greven; Lianne Hoogeveen; Stephen V Faraone; Catharina A Hartman

doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.116.184382

High intelligence and the risk of ADHD and other psychopathology

Br J Psychiatry. 2017 Dec;211(6):359-364. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.116.184382. Epub 2017 Oct 19.

Authors

Nanda Rommelse¹, Kevin Antshel², Stijn Smeets², Corina Greven², Lianne Hoogeveen², Stephen V Faraone², Catharina A Hartman²

Affiliations

¹ Nanda Rommelse, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, and Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Kevin Antshel, PhD, Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, New York, USA; Stijn Smeets, PhD, Center for Giftedness Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Corina Grever, PhD, Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and King's College London, Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, London, UK; Lianne Hoogeveer, PhD, Centre for Giftedness Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Stephen V. Faraore, PhD, Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, New York, USA, and K. G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Catharina A. Hartmar, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Centre of Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation and Research, School of Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands n.lambregts-rommelse@psy.umcn.nl.
² Nanda Rommelse, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, and Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Kevin Antshel, PhD, Department of Psychology, Syracuse University, New York, USA; Stijn Smeets, PhD, Center for Giftedness Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Corina Grever, PhD, Karakter, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and King's College London, Medical Research Council Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry, London, UK; Lianne Hoogeveer, PhD, Centre for Giftedness Research, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Stephen V. Faraore, PhD, Departments of Psychiatry and of Neuroscience and Physiology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, New York, USA, and K. G. Jebsen Centre for Research on Neuropsychiatric Disorders, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway; Catharina A. Hartmar, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Centre of Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation and Research, School of Behavioural and Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

PMID: 29051177
DOI: 10.1192/bjp.bp.116.184382

Abstract

BackgroundHigh intelligence may be associated with positive (adaptive, desired) outcomes, but may also come with disadvantages.AimsTo contribute empirically to the debate concerning whether a trade-off in IQ scores exists in relation to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and related problems, suggesting that high intelligence - like low intelligence - increases the risk of ADHD.MethodCurves of the relation between IQ score and ADHD problems were fitted to questionnaire data (parent, teacher, self-report} in a population-based study of 2221 children and adolescents aged 10-12 years. Externalising and internalising problems were included for comparison purposes.ResultsHigher IQ score was most strongly related to fewer attention problems, with more rater discrepancy in the high v. average IQ range. Attention problems - but only minimally hyperactivity/impulsivity problems - predicted functional impairment at school, also in the higher IQ range.ConclusionsAttention problems in highly intelligent children are exceptional and affect school performance; they are therefore a reason for clinical concern.

MeSH terms

Academic Performance*
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / epidemiology
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / physiopathology*
Child
Child Behavior Disorders / epidemiology
Child Behavior Disorders / physiopathology*
Comorbidity
Female
Humans
Intelligence / physiology*
Male
Netherlands / epidemiology
Risk