I always heard the opposite that Schizophrenics have high IQ’s, I wouldn’t say I’m a brainy person but I’m not stupid, I’ have a bachelor’s degree in Health Administration, and an associates degree in Computer Applications and Programming. I think learning has never been a problem for me, retaining information tends to be a problem, and I crack under pressure so I’ve always sucked at test but I could learn the information easily enough.
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: i honestly believe that if the sympthoms could leave a person with schiz they would see a dramatic increase in IQ. For me personally I have had to adapt my behaviour and cognitive processes so that I can get the maximum performance from my brain. That is why I believe that people with schiz should keep whatever they have left in the tank ( cognitive abilities post first psychotic break) , try and keep in physical shape . because you never know what will come down the line.
For example , zyprexa probably has the best ap properties of any AP med next to clozaril. Its biggest issue is weight gain and metabolic syndrome. Did you know that there is a formulation of zyprexa moving quite well through clinical trials , that is weight neutral?
People love statistics till they don’t agree with them. 
Just because some study indicates a trend, it doesn’t mean it applies in any particular case and it’s not a reflection on you.
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I think statistics are parsing data are important if only to illuminate what is happening outside our own heads. This is how we can objectively talk on any particular subjective. Subjective thought is just that , it works in people who have strong mental constructs( peoples values , outlook on life , good affinity to social cohesion) but people with schiz it doesnt work so well.
My opinion for what its worth
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I think that being stable is more important for a schizophrenic than having a high or low IQ.
Maintaining a decent quality life and being able to function are way more important than a high IQ score.
I would think that the majority of people do not have higher than normal IQ scores - Life goes on
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What’s the point of a high IQ if your EQ isn’t up to scratch(mine is low to average)?
I think it’s like this: Schizophrenics don’t have a low IQ, we have a problem communicating what we know. I for one have always had problems taking tests, I could know the the information and pull it out at random times during conversations and what not but pot put me down and say I’m being tested my mind cracks and I temporarily forget what I know. I freeze.
It’s kind of like a walking on a thin rope high in the sky. Where other’s clearly see if the line cracks, or see us fall from reality, we may not see that. We may see that the line curves and takes us a different direction, where others would see us just falling or losing our balance.
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This is actually not true. Studies have shown that highly intelligent people actually tend to be protected from sz. And, that sz is more predominant among those with low IQ’s.
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I scored 139 in a mensa online iq test placing me among the 1% brightest. I no doubt have a sharp mind, but it has not gotten me rich or succesfull.
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I believe there should be tests like Iq test. I was forced drugged. I told them why don’t you give me an iq test or let me do something to prove I’m fine. but no. take your drugs and shut up. no way out. I believe 3/4 of patients don’t even have schizophrenia just life issues.there should be thearaphy before drugs.
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My psychiatrist said that sz happens to intelligent people also. In school I was first in my class until 10th grade. I regard myself as average intelligent. I personally don’t believe that sz favors people with lower IQ. I think that sz can make us look like someone with lower IQ due to symptoms of sz. Sz has made me a LOT slower than I use to be and that makes me feel stupid.
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Well what about John Nash for example? That just doesn’t make sense. What I know is that people tend to have lowered IQ’s due to anti-psychotics, not schizophrenia, as the more severe it’s thought to be the higher dose of medication you are on, and sometimes not all medications even work. When I was off Abilify for two weeks I did get more observant, more alert, and started soaking up information like a sponge. My visual memory was impeccable compared to on medication where my short-term lags. So in essence, medications lower IQ but the severity of schizophrenia has nothing to do with IQ at all, other than it lowers it due to the symptoms and medication blocking access to information. I took the SAT when I was 12 or just left Middle School. I scored about 480 and got highest in social studies. I was a straight A student until my nervous breakdown in boarding school, was pumped with drugs and later developed chronic psychosis, but I don’t have psychosis anymore. I struggle with suicidal thoughts and depression when I come off Abilify. I become withdrawn. I don’t think as clearly, but it took about one year to have an actual relapse off medication. To me that’s a sign that it’s helping me, but since Abilify doesn’t completely block Dopamine, which is a tool in signaling communication between receptors, I havent suffered like a majority of the population. Because I can still communicate. I don’t have a medication corrupting me in that sense, and I constantly question the role it plays in keeping us unbalanced versus fully cured. I am not in denial of the experiences, but my primary symptoms were auditory hallucinations on Geodon, paranoia, depression, weight gain, slowed thinking, and in the 2 weeks my doctor forced me to take 120 mgs a day, I suffered immensely at Sheppard Pratt at the hands of a false cure.
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Good example. On my mid-terms for a law class, I had known all the facts–just hadn’t studied or memorized the format to write the entire test down on paper. Had no idea. Totally failed just for the format.
I disagree , before the approval of AP meds by licensing boards , psych hospitals were full with long term cases and when schiz was first researched in a clinical setting , cognitive decline was established and observed to be progressive , so much so that , the condition was viewed as a kind of dementia.
I think the issue is that we have a minority with mild sympthoms engaging in this kind of commentary and generalising based on their own personal experience.
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Just because it’s harder to manage thoughts than a normal person doesn’t make us fricking stupid. I think that’s the most horrible research ever undertaken. The generalizations of people that don’t have this illness is so discriminatory and condescending it disgusts me. I hope that I can prove these generalizations to be false in every way.
Just because maybe we don’t test well in their (little programs) doesn’t mean that we’re stupid.
Just because we have a hard time keeping energy and situational awareness doesn’t make us lazy.
Least we have the beauty of ourselves, illness or not. Yet I find research like this to be spiraling down into the wrong research, and perceptions of one of the most difficult to manage illness’. I totally disagree and hope the research has some form of silver lining, instead of trolling the mental survivors of our day.
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I’ve known some extremely bright schizophrenics.
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My symptoms were never milder, and I’m personally offended that by that statement. I’ve had bouts with full blown psychosis, and recovered to full remission and symptom free with the medication I take, or lack of harsher medications.
I’ve heard voices, been delusional, had conversations with three characters in my head at worst moments, had severe depression on top of it, and you’re going to say I’m generalizing because I’m critical of the system we have in place? Kinda hypocritical if you ask me.
Screw this. There’s no adequate research. There’s a hierarchy of power, of keeping people sick. It’s not a political issue until they’ve made it one, and you can cure cancer with plants not chemo. ■■■■ that.
When you detail an anti med view then it will be challenged. Sz is a highly variable condition with highly variable symptoms and generalising based on your own personal experience is not going to give you a full picture.
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I think the big thing is people with a higher IQ tend to be able to work themselves out of psychotic episodes faster than those with lower IQ’s, because those with the higher ones learn how to mask symptoms so they can be seen as a normal person where those with lower IQ’s don’t know any better or don’t seem to care to fit into the “social norm.”
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