Mental illness is often linked to genetics, but is there a connection between mathematical ability and psychosis or schizophrenia? A researcher from Iceland recently discovered that mathematics scholars have a higher incidence of psychosis than expected. The study of Icelanders with mathematical talent revealed that they had a higher risk of mental illness, as well as their family members. By linking academic records to data on the family distribution of psychosis, a pattern emerged that suggests high arousal plays a role in reasoning ability. John Nash, who won the Fields Medal for his contributions to mathematics, developed symptoms of schizophrenia in his thirties.
His work included extending game theory and addressing fourteen unsolved problems. The mathematician Grothendieck's search for form in all subjects eventually became a search for form and signal in all subjects. He was known to have stolen a math test for children issued by Washington State in tenth grade two years prior. He believed he should be able to do math without a calculator, so he tried to do it in his head, but eventually made mistakes and started forgetting numbers.
At the same time, there was an intelligent boy in his school who won math exams and had a serious depression. This raises the question: does math lead to psychosis?The answer is not clear-cut. While there is no genetic reason why mathematical ability should be linked to mental illness, the research suggests that there may be a correlation between the two. It is possible that high arousal associated with mathematical reasoning can lead to mental health issues such as psychosis or schizophrenia.
However, it is important to note that this correlation does not mean that everyone who excels at math will develop mental illness. It is also important to remember that mental illness can be caused by many factors, including genetics and environmental influences. Therefore, it is important to seek professional help if you are experiencing any symptoms of mental illness.
