[Astro-Domine]

I know a couple of intimidatingly intelligent people who are burdened with serious depression.

The one who talks about it thinks it’s because of their intellect, that they can see more than most people; that they have some special insight.

I’ve asked them to explain this special insight that other people “don’t get” and my thoughts on it are:

It’s not the insight that causes the problem. It’s accepting what they see. The kind of intellect they are using is great for discovering things but to accept what you discover is a different skill, which doesn’t seem to come along with a high IQ.

I don’t believe being intelligent makes you less happy. I believe a very well developed IQ-type intelligence coupled with an underdeveloped EQ-type intelligence is a recipe for unhappiness.

[Bjartr]

Or, to put it another way

Have the grace to accept things I cannot change, the power to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

An intelligent person usually knows a lot about a lot. The more things you know about, the more chances you have to make a mistake and think changing something is in your court, when it's really not.

[Astro-Domine]

I agree with that.

Another type of problem with this particular person was the insight that there is no meaning to be discovered, distilled or coaxed out of analysis.

That we must create meaning is an example of something which is entirely in their court but which they somehow can’t accept and proceed with.

[padjo]

You can know something is not within your power to change and still find the fact of its existence deeply upsetting.