A recent study found an association between anxiety levels and IQ level. The results showed, they are diagnosed with anxiety disorders tend to have higher IQ levels.

Even when compared to healthy individuals, those with anxiety disorders tend to have higher IQ scores and higher levels of activity in the brain, which helps in communication between parts of the brain.

"This region is estimated to have contributed to the success of human evolution," said the researcher who publishes his research on February 1, 2012 in the Frontiers journal in Neuroscience Evolusionary.

Dr. Jeremy Coplan, leader of the study and professor of psychiatry at State University of New York Downstate Medical Center said, although we tend to view anxiety as something that is not good, but it is strongly associated with intelligence - a trait that is highly adaptive.

In his study, researchers enrolled 26 patients with anxiety disorders and 18 healthy people to complete the exam tests IQ. Participants were also asked to fill out questionnaires to assess their anxiety levels. Among participants with anxiety disorders, those with higher levels of anxiety, have higher IQ levels as well.

Interestingly, different results actually demonstrated in healthy patients. Those who have higher IQ scores tend to have lower levels of concern, and those with low IQ scores tend to have higher levels of concern.

Coplan said, someone who has a little anxiety can cause problems for individuals and society. Because people are not able to see any danger, even when danger is near. "If these people are in a position as a leader, they will show the public that do not have to worry about," said Coplan.