Category: Mental Health

Introduction

As we close out the first quarter of the century, social media has become as routine as our morning coffee. For many Australians, checking Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok is the first thing we do when we wake up and the last thing before we go to bed. While social media can help us stay connected, excessive use often leaves us feeling more disconnected than ever. A social media detox—taking a deliberate break from these platforms—can be transformative for our mental health, relationships, and overall wellbeing.

Research shows that Australians spend an average of 1 hour and 57 minutes per day on social media, but the impact extends far beyond these hours. From constant notifications disrupting our focus to the subtle ways these platforms shape our self-perception, the effects of social media overuse are profound yet often overlooked.

The Science Behind Social Media and Mental Health

The relationship between social media and our mental wellbeing runs deeper than many realise. Many of you have probably heard about the dopamine release associated with certain social media interactions, but what’s less known is that our brains are literally being rewired by these digital interactions.

Recent studies from the Black Dog Institute highlight concerning correlations between increased social media use and elevated anxiety levels among Australian young adults. However, what’s less discussed is how social media affects our sense of presence in daily life—those small moments of joy we might miss while our eyes are fixed on screens.

The Rise of Short-Form Content and Its Impact

One of the most significant shifts in our digital landscape has been the explosive rise of short-form entertainment. From TikTok’s bite-sized videos to Instagram Reels, these platforms have fundamentally altered how we consume content—and potentially, how our brains process information.

Recent neuroscience research suggests concerning trends. Our average attention span has notably decreased, with many Australians reporting difficulty focusing on longer-form content like books or extended conversations. What’s particularly worrying is our diminishing tolerance for boredom—a state that researchers actually link to creativity and problem-solving ability.

The impacts are especially evident in educational settings. Teachers across Australia report students struggling to engage with longer lessons. These patterns often persist outside the classroom, affecting:

• Reading habits (particularly long-form content)
• Deep work capacity
• Creative thinking
• Problem-solving abilities
• Emotional regulation

Beyond attention spans, research indicates that excessive consumption of short-form content may be:

• Reducing our capacity for empathy (as we spend less time in deep, meaningful interactions)
• Affecting memory formation (as we process information more superficially)
• Increasing anxiety levels (due to constant context-switching)
• Disrupting sleep patterns (even more than traditional social media use)

Key Benefits of a Social Media Detox

The benefits of taking a break from social media extend far beyond what most people expect, including improved sleep quality, enhanced face-to-face relationships, and better concentration at work or study

Practical Steps to Start Your Detox

Starting a social media detox doesn’t mean you have to go cold turkey. Here’s a gentle approach that’s proven effective for many Australians:

1. Begin with a 24-hour break
2. Use built-in tools like Screen Time or Digital Wellbeing
3. Remove social media apps from your phone while keeping desktop access
4. Create designated “phone-free” zones in your home

The key is to replace scrolling time with meaningful activities. Consider reading a book, listening to music, practicing mindfulness, joining a local sports club, taking up photography, or going for a walk.

Addressing Common Concerns and Fears

“But I’ll miss important updates!” This is one of the most common concerns. The reality? Important news will reach you through other channels. Many people discover that their “FOMO” decreases significantly after the first week of detox.

For those using social media professionally, set clear boundaries. Designate specific times for professional social media use, and use scheduling tools to maintain your online presence without constant engagement.

Maintaining a Balanced Digital Life Post-Detox

The goal isn’t to eliminate social media entirely but to create a healthier relationship with it. Some sustainable strategies include:

• Setting specific times for social media use
• Using grayscale mode on your phone to reduce visual stimulation
• Creating technology-free meal times
• Engaging in regular digital wellness check-ins

Conclusion

A social media detox isn’t just about taking a break—it’s about reclaiming control of your attention and wellbeing. Whether you start with a 24-hour break or commit to a longer period, the benefits can be transformative.

Suggested Links

1. Black Dog Institute
2. Beyond Blue
3. Australian Institute of Family Studies
4. Mayo Clinic

Introduction

High-functioning anxiety symptoms present a unique challenge in mental health: they often manifest alongside exceptional professional achievement and social capability, making them difficult to identify and address. Many individuals experiencing these symptoms maintain impressive careers and active social lives while privately managing persistent anxiety, imposter syndrome, and overwhelming thoughts. This dichotomy between external success and internal struggle creates a significant barrier to recognition and treatment of high-functioning anxiety that makes it a psychological phenomenon worthy of examination, beyond just a buzzword diagnosis.

A unique aspect of high-functioning anxiety that’s rarely discussed is its potential role as both a catalyst and a constraint. While traditional narratives often focus on anxiety purely as a limitation, research suggests that some individuals have developed sophisticated adaptation mechanisms that transform their anxiety-driven traits into professional advantages. For instance, the heightened risk assessment common in anxiety can lead to more thorough strategic planning, while the fear of negative outcomes often results in exceptional preparation. However, this adaptation comes at a personal cost: these individuals often struggle to recognise the difference between productive motivation and harmful anxiety, leading to a complex relationship with their own success. Understanding this duality is crucial for developing management strategies that preserve the motivational aspects while reducing the psychological burden.

What Are the Common Signs of High-Functioning Anxiety You Might Be Missing?

Many people don’t realise they’re experiencing high-functioning anxiety because its symptoms often masquerade as positive traits. Let’s explore what these symptoms might look like in your daily life:

“…every time I didn’t embarrass myself—or even excelled—I believed that I had fooled everyone yet again. One day soon, the jig would be up.” Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta (Facebook).

How Does High-Functioning Anxiety Impact Your Daily Life?

Understanding how high-functioning anxiety affects your everyday experiences can help you recognise when it’s time to seek support. While anxiety disorders affect approximately 13% of Australians annually, anxiety in high achievers is more difficult to identify and, therefore, high-functioning anxiety may be significantly more prevalent due to underreporting.

Impact on Professional Life:

• Constantly checking work emails outside office hours
• Difficulty delegating tasks
• Overworking to prevent perceived failures
• Excessive proof-reading and double-checking work
• Challenges maintaining work-life boundaries

Effect on Personal Relationships:

• Finding it hard to say “no” to requests
• Mental presence vs. physical presence in social situations
• Persistent worry about others’ judgments
• Difficulties in intimate relationships due to perfectionism

Understanding the Triggers of High-Functioning Anxiety

Understanding what triggers high-functioning anxiety is crucial for developing effective management strategies. The triggers often fall into two interrelated categories: environmental and personal factors, which frequently work in concert to exacerbate symptoms.

Environmental triggers

These commonly stem from our modern lifestyle and societal pressures. High-pressure work environments, where success is constantly measured and evaluated, can create a persistent state of alertness and worry. This is often compounded by demanding family responsibilities, where the need to perform well in multiple roles creates additional stress. The pervasive nature of social media adds another layer of complexity, as constant comparison with others’ curated successes can reinforce feelings of inadequacy. Financial pressures, whether real or anticipated, can further intensify these anxiety patterns.

Personal risk factors

These often have deeper roots in our individual histories and genetic makeup. A family history of anxiety disorders can create both biological predisposition and learned response patterns. Perfectionist tendencies developed in childhood, often in response to high expectations or praise for achievement, can become deeply ingrained behavioural patterns. Past experiences of criticism or failure may leave lasting impressions that shape how we approach challenges, while certain personality traits, particularly high conscientiousness, can make us more susceptible to anxiety-driven behaviours.

Effective Management Strategies for High-Functioning Anxiety

Managing high-functioning anxiety requires a balanced approach that acknowledges both immediate needs and long-term growth. Rather than completely dismantling the traits that have contributed to your success, the goal is to develop healthier ways to maintain achievement while prioritising your wellbeing.

Immediate coping strategies can provide relief during challenging moments. Brief mindfulness practices, such as two-minute desk meditation breaks, can help reset your nervous system during busy workdays. The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding exercise, which engages all your senses, can be discretely performed during meetings to manage anxiety spikes. Mindful walking between tasks offers both physical movement and mental reset opportunities, helping to break the cycle of rushing from one responsibility to another.

For sustainable change, long-term management approaches are essential. Evidence-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques can help restructure anxiety-producing thought patterns while maintaining productive motivation. Establishing regular exercise and sleep routines builds resilience against stress, while professional support and counselling provide ongoing guidance and accountability. Implementing workplace wellbeing strategies, such as setting boundaries and practicing strategic breaks, helps create a more sustainable approach to achievement.

Beginning Your Journey to Better Management

Starting to manage high-functioning anxiety doesn’t require dramatic life changes. Begin with developing awareness of your anxiety patterns and their impact on your daily life. Choose one small, manageable change to implement, such as a daily five-minute mindfulness practice or setting one firm boundary around work hours. Practice self-compassion throughout this process, recognising that change is gradual and setbacks are normal. When needed, don’t hesitate to seek professional support – it’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to utilise available resources for your mental health journey.

Beyond Blue – Anxiety Support Services

Find a Clinical Psychologist

Conclusion: Your Next Steps in Managing High-Functioning Anxiety

Living with high-functioning anxiety doesn’t mean you have to continue masking your struggles behind achievement. While these symptoms might have driven some of your successes, acknowledging their impact on your wellbeing is the first step toward finding a more balanced way of living.

If you’ve recognised yourself in this article, remember: seeking support isn’t a sign of weakness – it’s a demonstration of self-awareness and strength. You deserve to maintain your achievements while feeling calm and confident inside.

Helpful Resources:

• Beyond Blue – Anxiety Support Services
• Black Dog Institute – Mental Health Research
• headspace – Youth Mental Health Services
• Queensland Health – Caring for a person experiencing an Anxiety disorder

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not replace personalised professional psychological advice. If you’re experiencing symptoms of anxiety, please consult with a qualified healthcare provider.

When anxiety strikes, having a quick, practical tool at your disposal can make all the difference. The 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique is a powerful sensory awareness exercise that can help bring you back to the present moment when anxious thoughts begin to overwhelm you.

What Is the 5-4-3-2-1 Technique?

This evidence-based mindfulness exercise engages all five senses to help anchor you in the present moment. By methodically focusing on your surroundings, you can interrupt anxiety’s typical spiral of racing thoughts and worried predictions.

How to Practice the Technique

Follow these steps in order, taking your time with each one:

5: SEE

Identify five things you can see around you. It could be a pen on your desk, a pattern on the wall, or a tree outside your window. Name each object specifically.

4: TOUCH

Find four things you can physically feel. This might be your feet on the ground, the texture of your clothing, the smooth surface of a desk, or the temperature of the air on your skin.

3: HEAR

Listen for three distinct sounds in your environment. This could include the hum of an air conditioner, distant traffic, or the sound of your own breathing.

2: SMELL

Notice two things you can smell. If you can’t smell anything immediate, recall two familiar scents you enjoy, like coffee or fresh-cut grass.

1: TASTE

Identify one thing you can taste. If you can’t taste anything, you can think of your favourite flavour or take a sip of water.

Why It Works

The 5-4-3-2-1 technique works by:

• Interrupting anxious thought patterns
• Bringing attention to your immediate environment
• Engaging multiple senses
• Creating mental distance from worries
• Promoting mindful awareness

Tips for Maximum Effectiveness

1. Practice Regularly: Try this technique before you need it, so it becomes familiar and easier to use during anxious moments.
2. Adapt as Needed: If you’re in a situation where you can’t engage all senses, modify the exercise. Focus on the senses you can use in that moment.
3. Take Your Time: There’s no need to rush through the steps. Spend as long as you need on each sense.
4. Use it Anywhere: This technique can be practiced discreetly in any setting – at work, on public transport, or in social situations.

When to Use It

The 5-4-3-2-1 technique is particularly helpful:

• During anxiety attacks
• Before stressful events
• When having trouble sleeping
• During overwhelming moments at work
• In crowded or overwhelming environments

Professional Support

While this technique is a valuable tool for managing anxiety symptoms, it works best as part of a comprehensive approach to mental health. If you’re experiencing frequent anxiety, consider speaking with a mental health professional who can provide personalised strategies and support.

For immediate support in Australia:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Remember: This technique is one of many tools available for managing anxiety. What works best can vary from person to person, so feel free to adapt it to your needs or explore other grounding techniques that might work better for you.

Written by Joanne Toh

Registered Psychologist and Clinical Registrar

You have likely heard the phrase “self-care” being thrown around a lot in recent years. Even so, many people seem to be unfamiliar with it or, even more commonly, they have an unhealthy relationship with it. So, what is self-care? One way to think of it is as the act of scheduling-in activities that nurture or nourish your wellbeing in your daily life.

Here is a brief list of self-care activities my clients have found helpful:

• Physical (e.g., going for a walk/a swim, playing table tennis/soccer)
• Emotional (e.g., listen to a podcast, reflect on things you are grateful for, journaling, seek counselling)
• Spiritual (e.g., pray, meditate, join a spiritual/religious retreat)
• Friendships (e.g., spending time with a friend, ringing a loved one)
• Dietary (e.g., making a healthy meal, mindfully enjoying a piece of chocolate)
• Nature (e.g., hiking, having a picnic in a national park, surfing, sit in the sunlight)
• Professional (e.g., attending a professional development course, scheduling in regular breaks during your workday, planning holidays)
• Beauty (e.g., use a face moisturising mask, colour your nails, visit a gym)

Self-care is meant to be something that recharges us, something that helps us take time out from our busy daily schedules and ground ourselves. Be warned, though; self-care can quickly turn toxic if we start twisting how it’s represented in our minds. Please try to avoid seeing “self-care” as another thing on our to do list to accomplish/tick off. If you find yourself saying “I should be going for a run,” or “I should make more of an effort with my friends,” you’re going to be less likely to engage in self-care, because it seems like a chore. It’s also just inaccurate. This is a version of yourself that you want to be, not that you should be. So be accurate: Tell yourself “I want to go for a run,” “I want to make more of an effort with my friends”. Then think about how you typically act when you don’t get to do something you want to do. Do you criticise yourself or feel self-compassion? Because, at least in the case of self-care, being self-compassionate seems to be the much more effective (and more accurate) method in the long-term. Being kind to yourself when you don’t engage in self-care is also part of self-care.

We can practise the above self-care activities either with others or by ourselves. We can choose self-care activities that vary in cost and time commitments. For example, sitting under a tree to enjoy the warmth of the sun for five minutes can be great for self-care (of course, please use sun-smart/sun-safe precautions). We can also schedule dinner catch-ups with friends at home, instead of visiting a restaurant. Some people find it helpful to block out time over the week to just be alone and do the things we enjoy doing by ourselves (e.g., visit an op shop, practice your karaoke dance moves).

Sometimes, we might feel that we cannot afford to take time off to engage in self-care activities, especially during busy and stressful seasons. However, this is often the time when self-care can really benefit us. Self-care can relieve stress and improve our mental health symptoms.

You may want to take a moment right now to identify what self-care activities you can realistically practise over the next week. Remember, what works for others might not be the best fit for you. We are all unique individuals, who are recharged by different things and activities.

Enjoy your self-care time!

Written by Joanne Toh

Registered Psychologist and Clinical Registrar

Approximately 1 in 4 young people report experiencing mental health concerns, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports. This means that, for TAFE and University students, mental health issues can significantly interfere with their ability to perform well in their tertiary education.

Attending TAFE or university is often an exciting but challenging time in your life. You may be living away from home for the first time. This comes with its own challenges (being away from family and friends, having to be responsible for your own finances and household chores). You may also miss the routine and structure provided by high schools. It is challenging having to plan and manage your own time to attend lectures, work on assignments and self-study to prepare for examinations. It can be difficult to know how to cope with the increase in stress; especially when having to deal concurrently with depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma, or a number of other mental health issues known to be prevalent among university students.

Please know that you are not alone and many of your peers are likely to experience similar challenges. It is important to seek help early. It’s best not to wait until the end of the semester to seek support, as it limits the scope of the support your education institution is able to provide.

You can always speak to a tutor or lecturer about your request for an extension. They may be able to accommodate your study requirements if appropriate and reasonable. You can also speak to Study Advisors on ways to reduce your study load if that is recommended by your health professionals. Additionally, you can explore what financial grants or loans are available through your education provider’s financial aid department, if your mental health symptoms are worsened by financial stress. Seeking-out a psychologist to learn coping strategies to help you cope with your stress, or to treat depression, anxiety, or OCD, can be helpful. It can also be a good idea to join some student clubs to meet new people, which may reduce your sense of homesickness and loneliness.

You are able to seek support from your education institution by:

• Being registered with the Disability Liaison Unit to obtain assignment extensions, alternate examination arrangements (Note: You will be asked to provide documents from a medical professional supporting your registration with this unit).
• Seeking short term psychological support from the Counselling department
• Joining in Mindfulness or other wellbeing group programs run by the Counselling department
• Obtaining practical tips from the Academic Skills Unit on ways to manage procrastination and time management

These are just a few tips on how to care for your mental health while being a student. Please check with your education provider for other resources and support they might offer.

References:

https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/children-youth/mental-illness

“How much longer can I fake my way through this? Everyone else here has it together and knows what they’re doing. It’s only a matter of time before they realise I actually don’t really belong here.”

At some point in their career, approximately 70% of people will experience thoughts like this. Yet, only 25% of people have heard of Impostor Syndrome. If you’re not aware of how common it is, you might go on continuing to believe that you’re faking it for the rest of your career. 

Impostor syndrome is the belief that you haven’t earned, or don’t deserve, your accomplishments, despite evidence to the contrary. It’s so common and widely experienced that calling it a syndrome might give people the wrong idea. 

It’s not a mental disorder but, rather, an experience or a psychological pattern. It seems to affect all demographics, irrespective of gender, race, age, or occupation, and it doesn’t seem to matter how objectively successful you are (in fact, it’s more common among higher status jobs). It’s not necessarily linked to low self-worth, either. Even Albert Einstein referred to himself as an “involuntary swindler”; believing his lifework didn’t deserve the accolades it received.

The Five Types of Impostor Syndrome:

The Perfectionist:

Anything short of perfection is seen as a failure. They always feel like something could’ve been done better (and that they’re uniquely failing at it).

Natural genius:

Feels that success should come naturally. Hard work and perseverance may be seen as negative traits or signs that they’re not actually competent and are imposters.  

Superman/woman:

Being competent equates to being able to juggle numerous roles and responsibilities at the same time. Failing even slightly at one role can cause them to view themselves as a failure, even when they’ve greatly succeeded in other areas. 

Expert:

Success equates to a large amount of knowledge and skill. They fear being exposed as an imposter due to a lack of knowledge in a given area.

Soloist:

Success achieved with assistance from anyone else is perceived as a personal failure and a sign that they are not really competent. 

What Causes It?

There seems to be a link between Impostor Syndrome and perfectionism. One theory is that people who are highly skilled tend to assume others are just as skilled. This belief can spiral out of control or become distorted over time when they experience a normal degree of failure while their peers don’t seem to be failing. 

Humans seem to share their strengths more readily than their weaknesses. This may be why Impostor Syndrome is becoming increasingly common in contemporary times, when we all share the best parts of our lives online and hide the worst parts. Everyone gains the impression that everyone else is competent. If everyone who experienced impostor thoughts (approximately 70% of the working population) posted them on social media, the thoughts might become normalised and people might appreciate how common they are. Maybe they would even question how accurate their own thoughts of fraudulence are when they learn that other people who seemed to be so competent are second-guessing themselves too. 

The term pluralistic ignorance means that everyone privately doubts themselves, but thinks they’re alone in doing so. Nobody’s sharing their self-doubt or failures, so it’s hard for us to know whether our own failures are normal. Workplaces often create cultures whereby it’s difficult to talk about failures. Nobody likes publicising their failures to their workmates, and it might be considered inappropriate to publicly attribute a failure to another individual. Consequently, failure gets swept under the rug and can seem rare. 

What Can I Do About It?

A problem shared is a problem halved

In some workplaces, there may be a high price to pay for sharing your failures. Keeping our failures secret reinforces our sense that failure is unique to us and deprives us of the opportunity to learn from such failure by constructively discussing it. If you have a workplace like this, discussing your failures—and especially your impostor thoughts—with friends who don’t work with you has been shown to reduce the symptoms of impostor syndrome. You’ll be helping yourself and them, if they feel the same.

Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn

Research into what distinguishes successful from unsuccessful individuals in any given occupation found that failure is a necessary part of success. The most successful individuals tended to fail just as often as others, but they learned from their failures and adjusted accordingly for their next attempt. Being afraid of failure may lead people to avoid attempting the required tasks for success or put insufficient effort into the task in order to protect their self-worth in case they fail (e.g. “I only failed because I didn’t try, not because I’m incapable”). Reframing failure as a necessary learning opportunity on the path to success helps people understand that failure is not a sign that they’re incapable or an impostor.  

Speak to a Clinical Psychologist

If you can’t seem to shake your impostor syndrome, there may be other issues underlying it. Psychological treatment can help you gain insight into the root of the problem and learn skills to overcome it. 

It’s tempting to believe that smart people don’t get depressed. After all, the smarter you are, the better you are at solving problems. Whatever is bringing you down, you can just fix it, right?

Humans are great at problem-solving, thanks in part to our relatively large prefrontal cortices (an area of the brain situated just behind your forehead). This area of the brain, along with other neural networks, is responsible for an important group of processes called the executive functions. These functions allow us to have self-control, direct our attention where it is needed, process information, and, importantly, problem-solve. Compared to other animals, human brains perform exceptionally well at these functions.

If we can problem-solve in the outside world, can we use these same skills to solve our internal problems? For example, if we can’t sleep at night because we’re stressed about work the next day, surely the answer is to use our big powerful prefrontal cortices to solve tomorrow’s problems and send ourselves into a peaceful state of sleep? Or, if we’re feeling sad and can’t get out of bed, should we try and use our intelligence to motivate us to get up? How do we solve that kind of problem?

To be clear, I’m not going to argue that you should never try and problem-solve psychological issues. In fact, it could be argued that the first-line psychological treatment for several mental health problems, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), requires a form of problem solving. However, often, human being aren’t great at problem solving their internal struggles (irrespective of their IQ). Intelligent people often attempt to problem-solve their psychological issues in much the same way as less intelligent people. Maybe they try and convince themselves of something positive that they don’t really believe, or maybe they second guess their behaviour or think of every time they have ever embarrassed themselves in the past. In casting all of their attention on a problem, the problem rarely leaves their mind and, instead of solving it, they can just increase the weight of the burden.

Creative People and Mental Illness:

There is a centuries old notion that, not only are intelligent people not protected from mental illness, but that they are, in fact, more likely to experience mental health problems. The stereotype of the crazy scientist or artist come to mind. Great literary minds like David Foster Wallace and Earnest Hemingway, comedians like Stephen Fry and Robin Williams, and artists like Vincent Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock all suffered from mental health problems. One of the greatest inventors of all time, Nikola Tesla, was obsessed with doing things that were divisible by three. He used 18 serviettes when he ate, walked around buildings three times before entering them, and only stayed in hotel rooms in which the room number was devisable by three.

In recent times, these ideas have been tested and, so far, the research indicates that intelligence appears to be associated with an increased risk of certain mental health problems. One study found that Bipolar Affective Disorder may be four times as common among young adults who had received straight-A’s in school. The effect was more common among students receiving high grades for humanities subjects and, to a lesser extent, in science subjects.

As a practicing clinical psychologist, I’ve seen countless times that, unfortunately, intelligence does not preclude people from mental health problems. In fact, often times, intelligent people are more attached to this idea of problem solving their internal struggles and can, therefore, require more intensive therapy. The more intelligent you are, the more you’ve seen first-hand that problem solving works. It got you A’s in school, it helped you get a job, it helped you assemble your Ikea chest of draws, it must be able to solve your anxiety.

I guess, in some sense, it could be argued that problem solving is what is needed to get your mental health back on track. However, it’s not the kind of problem solving we’re used to. If your mental health problem was a maths problem, the longer you spent trying to “solve” it, the more complex and unsolvable it would become. That’s because, in trying to solve these problems, you’re giving them your attention. Often, that’s all they need to thrive.

Additionally, some mental illnesses have a strong biological basis. In these cases, asserting that intelligence can protect you from mental illness might make about as much sense as asserting that intelligence can protect you from multiple sclerosis. Indeed, one study found that the neuronal calcium sensor-1 protein was associated with spatial memory and curiosity as well as the presence of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Therefore, there may be some shared biological cause of aspects of intelligence and certain mental illnesses.

It would appear that the impact of intelligence on mental illness depends on the type of intelligence and the type of mental illness. Two constructs not typically measured in traditional IQ tests seem to have a significant impact on mental health; one protective, the other associated with an increased risk of mental illness.

The first construct, creativity, is not usually included in IQ tests because it is difficult to measure objectively. Attempts have been made in the past (e.g., write down as many uses for a brick as you can in 30 seconds), however, they never seemed to have the same reliability or validity as tests of verbal comprehension, working memory, processing speed, and perceptual reasoning. The best we can do when studying the relationship between creativity and mental illness is look at people who are in creative professions and see if they are more likely to have a mental illness. That’s exactly what one study did: Of 300,000 people enrolled in the study, people in creative professions were more likely to meet criteria for a diagnosis of Bipolar Affective Disorder. There’s an assumption here that people in creative professions would generally have greater creative intelligence than those who are not. Nevertheless, the results of the study are interesting.

The second construct, emotional intelligence (sometimes called EQ), is a measure of an individual’s ability to distinguish accurately between various emotions, to identify emotions in themselves and in others, and to use their knowledge of emotions to guide their thoughts and behaviours. High emotional intelligence has been found to be associated with less rumination (i.e., compulsively thinking about your problems) and fewer thoughts that are symptomatic of depression and anxiety. Therefore, it would appear that certain less conventionally recognised forms of intelligence are protective of mental illness. It’s unfortunate that these types of intelligence are not fostered in schools or even seen as particularly important in our dominant culture today.

In the film Training Day, Denzel Washington’s character—a senior police officer—informs his new recruit that, in this world, you can either be a wolf or a sheep, “and it takes a wolf to catch a wolf”.

One of the leading experts in the study of psychopathy, Robert Hare, described psychopaths as “intra-species predators”. The most wolf-like sheep. The predators who use charm, manipulation, or violence against other human beings to meet their own needs. They’re often skilled at justifying their behaviour to others: For example, the criminal justice system doesn’t work when police follow procedure at the expense of catching the criminals. A sheep can’t catch a wolf. You have to “get a little dirt on you for people to trust you”.

Another defining characteristic is that they are often charismatic. Their carefree lifestyle can sometimes seem appealing. They can be highly skilled at telling people what they want to hear and even making them feel good about themselves. They could even be the kind of person you meet at a party and want to see more often. Of course, if you scratch even slightly below the surface, you’ll see beneath the sheep’s clothing and get a peek at the wolf beneath.

Pyschopathy may well be the personality disorder that is most well known (infamous?) among the general population, and yet least understood. Firstly, let’s cover some common misunderstandings:

Common Misunderstandings about Psychopathy

1. Childhood bed-wetting is not a risk factor for becoming a psychopath
2. The term “sociopath” is generally considered to be outdated and is not used by contemporary forensic psychologists or other professionals in the field
3. Starting fires during childhood is not necessarily a risk factor for becoming a psychopath
4. Not all mass-murderers are psychopaths
5. The corporate world is not full of psychopaths

The Corporate Psychopath

Regarding that last point, it’s been proposed that this myth has probably been more pervasive in recent times as a result of an innate tendency in most of us to want to make sense of the unethical behaviour carried-out by some corporate workers preceding the global financial crisis. The popularity of this myth may also have something to do with the fact that the small number of psychopaths who can hold down corporate jobs are more likely to cause more than their fare share of destruction. Therefore, while they may be small in number, they may also be prolific in their impact.

So, why don’t we see more of them in high-powered corporate jobs? As you’ll see below, the “prototypical” psychopath experiences difficulty sticking to routine, resisting exciting stimulation, and often neglects commitments and responsibilities. These personality traits mean that psychopaths, in most cases, would not fare well within a corporate environment. Most jobs require you to have enough self-discipline to arrive consistently on-time, follow-through on promises, and meet expectations.

How Common Are Psychopaths in the Corporate World?

A recent study indicates that between 3% and 4% of corporate workers met criteria for a diagnosis of psychopathy. This is higher than the general accepted figure of 1% in the community, but still significantly lower than the figure of 13.8% – 26% (depending on where the research was conducted) we see among male offenders.

Help Me, My Boss is a Psychopath

So, what if you’re one of the unlucky ones? What if your co-worker or, worse, your boss is one of those 3% – 4%.

Firstly, this is something that is very difficult to determine. For a number of reasons—not least of which is the fact that people with these traits don’t often like to advertise them—even the best people in the field make mistakes, even under ideal circumstances, when diagnosing people with psychopathy.

The Psychopath in Us

Secondly, to some degree, many of the personality traits that constitute psychopathy show up in normal healthy people under certain circumstances. The famous Stanford prison experiment was conducted (along with a number of experiments around that time) in order to find answers to the question of why Nazi soldiers engaged in the kind of horrific behaviour common during World War II. Did only people without a sense of morality sign up for these roles? The experiment found similar results to other experiments in this area (see Milgram’s experiment): Normal people are capable of essentially ignoring their usual “moral compass” under certain circumstances (especially when instructed to do so by a person who appears to be of some authority).

Even under normal circumstances, people can demonstrate behaviour that, on the face of it, might seem to be an example of the below described personality traits of psychopathy. Have you ever felt “compassion fatigue” in relation to something (e.g., constant calls for charity) or someone for whom you knew you were “meant to” feel empathy? Have you ever bragged to somebody? Have you ever lied for personal gain? The difference is that these factors show up much less consistently and to a lesser degree in the general population. In other words, finding some examples of the below described behaviour is not evidence that somebody is a psychopath.

The Four Facets of Psychopathy

So, here’s what to look out for. Psychopaths generally exhibit a cluster of personality traits that fit under two main factors: Affective (meaning emotional traits) and Behavioural. There are two components, or facets, of the Affective factor: Interpersonal, which consists of traits related to their style of interaction with other people, and Affective, which consists of traits related to the different way that they experience emotions (or a lack there of) in comparison to non-psychopaths. The Behavioural factor also consists of two facets: the Lifestyle facet, which taps into impulsive behaviour and a tendency to neglect commitments, and the Antisocial facet, which taps into crime and behaviour generally considered unacceptable in the community.

The Two Factors and Four Facets of Psychopathy (Hare, 2005)

What Can I Do?

In most cases, treatment doesn’t “fix” people diagnosed with psychopathy. Depending on the kind of treatment, it can actually make them better at being psychopaths. In group treatment, psychopaths see the way normal people demonstrate normal emotions and become better at imitating them. However, their behaviour can be improved with newer treatments that focus on the benefit to them associated with living a “pro-social” lifestyle. Short of this kind of treatment, the only real advice is to avoid such people at all costs.