Sitemap

health advisory Hospital Mental Health 2007-11-15 19:02:38

I'm catholic: I have bi-polar mental illness and a high IQ.

I've also read that in general the jewish people have higher IQs than average. I think their average was around 126 instead of 100.

There certainly may be a link between high IQ and such illness. And jews may be over-represented in the high IQ group.

---

now, this is just my own personal theory (and I could be full of it...) but it seems to me that Jewish people are more likely to be able to talk about their feelings - thus being more open to the idea of psychotherapy than perhaps those of other faiths who might view depression or 'mental illness' as a weakness or a personal failing.

so, in that regard I admire the Jewish people for being more open. And I do not think they are more afflicted with 'mental illness' than any other culture, religion, ethnicity, etc. But perhaps they are more likely to seek help when they need it (which is a sign of mental health).

---

Sorry, but your friend is wrong. Mental illness affects people of every religion and nationality, but Jews are not more prone at all. In fact, we may be less prone.

---