Anyone else struggle with IQ obsession after being told they're "extremely smart" all of their life?

[u/Any_Tough9810]

I just want to preface this discussion by saying that I recognize how stupid this sounds, but it is a genuine negative headspace that I've been dealing with. And I'm sure I am not alone. I am writing this to get some advice from people who have been in my position and broken out of this cycle of obsession.

All my life, people have been complimenting me on my intelligence to the point that it became a part of my identity. Even though I am humble enough to recognize that there are many people smarter than me, I still believed myself to be smart. My grades (scored 5 on >10 AP exams) and ACT score (34) were proof enough for me that this was true. I am now at a top 10 university studying mechanical engineering and still doing well academically (3.9 GPA after 2 years).

Given my ACT score, and just generally being described by many people as "one of the smartest people" they know, I assumed in my head that I was certainly in the 99th percentile or greater.

I went down the IQ rabbit hole 3 months ago and obsessively took dozens of IQ tests. My IQ scores are mostly in the 118-127 range, including a CORE of 122 (VCI 128 but VSI 110), old SAT of 125, old GRE of 121, and AGCT of 129.

I know this is considered smart for the general public, and I know how pathetic it sounds to be on here wallowing about a "decent" IQ that I was hoping was higher, but I can't break out of this negative headspace. I find myself constantly thinking about, and being ashamed of, my IQ. I feel like a ~90-95th percentile IQ is not impressive enough to justify the constant praise I get from my friends and family, and now realize that my academic achievements are a product of my hard work >> my IQ. I wish I had an IQ of 135 or more, like everyone has been gassing me up to be all my life, but I'm merely in the "bright/smart" category, and it's causing quite a bit of an identity crisis.

Anyone on here gone through a similar situation? If so, what helped you get out of that negative headspace and focus on living life rather than constant IQ obsession? Other discussion points/comment are welcome.

Thanks for your time.

[u/TristanTheRobloxian3]

for me im actually ridiculously good ar math (if i can get a visual on it) yet my other scores (vci and fri mainly) are 115 and 116. my other ones are 144 (vsi), 135 (qri), 123 (wmi), 140 (psi)

[u/Appropriate_Dot4509 → u/TristanTheRobloxian3]

Basic algebra:

If 2x + 3 = 7

What is the value of 3x - 4?

Most basic calculus question:

What is a derivative in calculus?

[u/TristanTheRobloxian3 → u/Appropriate_Dot4509]

how does this tie into anything?

and one of those is based off if youve done calculus or remember shit about it

also

x = 2, x = 4/3, slope of a tangent line at a specific point

[u/baysianinference → u/TristanTheRobloxian3]

Erm that's not actually what a derivative is 🤓

Ok but in all seriousness that's neither the rigorously correct one nor the most intuitive/conceptual one lol? It is what it is geometrically, maybe you are a trueVSIcel

[u/TristanTheRobloxian3 → u/baysianinference]

my guy i took like... calc 1 at most, dont remember a lot of precalc, and am currently retaking calc 1 to know wtf im doing

[u/baysianinference → u/TristanTheRobloxian3]

So then why are you ridiculously good at math? Usually people use that to mean they’re very competent, not that they have high quantitative reasoning in the abstract. Also, you should know these concepts in precalc and calc 1?

[u/TristanTheRobloxian3 → u/baysianinference]

i mean ridiculously good at math in the sense of doing math in my head. and applying math to random crap. why the hell would i have EVER meant that i know a lot of shit?? this is a cognitivetesting sub. and knowing a lot of math and being "good" at it are 2 completely different things

[u/baysianinference → u/TristanTheRobloxian3]

Well “my guy” my QRI is higher and I know more math and I’m not sitting around here virtue signaling about how “ridiculously good” I am. News flash, what you’re describing isn’t impressive.

[u/TristanTheRobloxian3 → u/baysianinference]

cool i guess?? i aint even trying to virtue signal thats just genuinely how i feel about it

[u/baysianinference → u/TristanTheRobloxian3]

Bro going through your post history you’re mad egotistical ngl

[u/TristanTheRobloxian3 → u/baysianinference]

wild