Why are Gifted Learners Unhappy?

• Draining and leads to procrastination which leads to a sense of failure
• They see all the possibilities and cannot "unsee" the options

Wurman, J.W. How to Help Your Overthinking Child. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from the Grayson School.

• Are more concerned with efficiency and accuracy than following directions.
• Their ideas are non-conventional and are often overlooked in group work

Rodell, W. Vulnerabilities of Highly Gifted Children. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from the Davidson Institute

• Must see a purpose for what they are being asked to do
• Need variety in order to continue to learn
• Become resentful of mundane tasks
• Can become behavior problems if need for challenge is not addressed

Cummins, D. (2014). The Problem With Being Gifted. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from Psychology Today.

• Deep thinkers are hard for many to understand. Leads to misunderstood criticism, which leads to low self-esteem
• Extremely empathetic, can become overwhelmed

Cummins, D. (2014). The Problem With Being Gifted. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from Psychology Today.

Rodell, W. Vulnerabilities of Highly Gifted Children. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from the Davidson Institute

• Extremely aware of insincere motives - they can spot a phony a mile away.
• Come across as defensive, when they are actually just protecting themselves.

Cummins, D. (2014). The Problem With Being Gifted. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from Psychology Today.

Rodell, W. Vulnerabilities of Highly Gifted Children. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from the Davidson Institute

• Find it difficult to prioritize and let little things go in order to give themselves a break
• Can work to the point of exhaustion

Rodell, W. Vulnerabilities of Highly Gifted Children. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from the Davidson Institute

• Obsess over things and find it difficult to move on
• People with higher IQ tend to: worry more about their past actions than people of average IQ, and experience more anxiety in general.
• More anxiety can present itself as an unexplainable sense of guilt.

Rodell, W. Vulnerabilities of Highly Gifted Children. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from the Davidson Institute

• Often have deep and complex ideas that others find hard to understand
• Authentic & meaningful relationships are needed to prevent loneliness.

Cummins, D. (2014). The Problem With Being Gifted. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from Psychology Today.

Lovecky, D.V. (1995). Highly Gifted Children and Peer Relationships. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from the Davidson Institute.

Rodell, W. Vulnerabilities of Highly Gifted Children. Retrieved September 12, 2019 from the Davidson Institute