18 Former "Gifted" Kids Share Its Effect On Their Lives
Recently, Reddit user Somervillage asked, "All the kids who were labelled as 'gifted' when you were younger — did it follow through to adulthood? Did you burnout?"
People had A LOT to say. The question received over 4,500 replies! Here are some of the best:
"I found anything that required effort immediately turned me off. I never developed a work ethic, so I'm incredibly lazy. But I'm also extremely efficient by putting in as little effort as possible to get tasks done."
"I'm still working on it, albeit lazily."—real_picklejuice
"I wouldn't say I burned out. But when I got to college, I got a painful lesson about the difference between being 'smart' and being 'a quick learner.'"
"I had to learn to study in college. It took failing a course to admit to myself that I had to buckle down."
—L0cked4fun
"So far, so good. But I feel like an imposter. All through high school and college, I put in just enough effort to get an A. So I never really lived up to my potential, but I think that is the only thing that kept me sane."
"I've never known anyone 'gifted' who didn't also have crippling mental or emotional problems. It seems to come with the territory. Maybe it's nature's way of leveling the playing field."
—weird-oh
"I was 'gifted' because I was an early and prolific reader, but oops — that's also hallmark for ADHD. I recently changed jobs in my field specifically to reduce the amount of responsibility I had. My anxiety is so much better."
"I got a good job, but I also have inescapable depression and anxiety — not to mention a substance abuse problem. Part of me thinks the 'gifted' label just means I was mediocre but privileged. I'm not burnt out exactly, but I'm having a weird time."
—RevolutionarySundae7
"I'm Asian...I'm not allowed to burn out."
"I made it through college and grad school with honors, but I'm so burnt out by adult life and the 'real world.' I miss how easy academia was for me."
"I excel in what I do for about three years, then I burn out and move on to something else. I've had several fun career paths. I'm great at learning, troubleshooting, problem solving, creative solutions, processing, and thinking outside the box. But I have no patience, low emotional intelligence, poor social skills, and no common sense."
—Warm_Ad7486
"I'm a gifted teacher and was also a gifted student. Depression, anxiety, imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and burnout are all super common among gifted students. They're about twice as likely to attempt suicide and far more likely to have substance abuse problems. In many states, 'social emotional' goals are now included in their educational plans alongside academic goals. It's one of the compelling arguments for identifying gifted kids and giving them special services."
"I reached a point where the mindset of 'studying is something that happens to other people' wasn't enough. I took a break. Went back to university in a different field and finished a four year degree in two years. Found work I enjoyed for most of a decade. Then my brain self-destructed and blew a hole in itself. Now I have to relearn how to walk every morning. But I'm good at it!"
"Don't have a stroke in your 30s, y'all."—ChemistryPerfect4534
"I found out I was neurodivergent."
"As a gifted adult, I've found that corporate America sucks because people don't want your improvements and feedback unless you're the boss. So I've had some unpleasant employment experiences."
—RednocNivert
"I'm at that uncomfortable level where I was told I'm gifted — genius even. But I've always been keenly aware of just how much of an effing idiot I really am. And I'm also keenly aware that I'm still somehow much more intelligent than the average people I deal with every single day."
"I won math competitions and science fairs growing up. Graduated college early. Went from living in a trailer to a 4,000 square foot home with a new luxury SUV. Wife stays at home. I work from home. Have a couple kids. Life is pretty good."
—Moron-Whisperer
"I was 'gifted' and made the honor roll and president's list. My dad beat my college goals out of me when I was in high school, so I didn't go. I started working a dead end job just like he wanted. I feel like I'm at least a decade behind where I should be in life."
And finally, on a lighter note, "30 years of smoking weed took care of that!"
—blackbellamy"Gifted at smoking weed."—DeadNotSleepingWI"420 IQ."—mofototheflo
H/T r/AskReddit
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