ontothenext

Some of us can't not think, and can't not help people as best we can... at least until we burn out from non-recognition and non-appreciation. It's not strictly a matter of "intelligence", it's partly a matter of application of the knowledge and skills one has.

If one is driven to do, then any prolonged absence from serious thought comes at a hard cost to one's self. On the other hand, if one spends all of one's time doing and it isn't being appreciated or even recognized (e.g., because no-one sees the hard work that went into avoiding a disaster), then Yes, burn-out for greater or lesser periods are not uncommon. Like my therapist put it recently: when you expend your energies helping others, you empty the resevoirs, and you need something to fill those up again... some kind words, to be told how much of a difference you made, a partner/lover who obviously cares... what-ever the fuel is for you, if you aren't getting enough, then it does become very tempting to quit with a "Why am I bothering in face of so much opposition and indifference?!". And sometimes you do have to withdraw for a period and wait for the emotional drains on your life to subside... but in the long run, hiding from yourself doesn't work very well.

You could take a little time off, work and save up money to go back and finish.