Being identified as a gifted student often comes with high expectations from teachers, parents, and even peers. These expectations can lead to significant pressure, which may impact mental health in several ways. Gifted students might feel the need to constantly perform at a high level, which can result in anxiety, stress, or burnout. Additionally, they might experience perfectionism—a tendency to set unrealistically high standards and feel like failures when they fall short. “Once labeled as gifted, parents/caregivers—and to a lesser degree, teachers—typically become excited to have their child capitalize on their talent for their future success, consequently, they set higher expectations and may push the child more intensely than they would other siblings or compared to their peers.”(1).
In many cases, gifted students also feel isolated or misunderstood by their peers, especially if their emotional or social development doesn’t align with their intellectual abilities. This disconnect can lead to feelings of loneliness, alienation, and even depression. “While gifted children and adults are not necessarily more prone to mental health problems, they still experience emotional and interpersonal challenges as a result of their heightened sensitivities, overactive minds, and differences from many of their peers.”(2).
Another mental health concern is “impostor syndrome,” where gifted individuals doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as a fraud, despite evident success. This is particularly common among high-achieving students and can lead to chronic self-doubt and anxiety. “Perfectionism, school environments and high parental expectations often cause anxiety and emotional problems to gifted adolescents”(3).
Gifted students may have a harder time asking for help or admitting when they’re struggling, because they believe they should always have the answers. This can prevent them from accessing mental health support when they need it most. “Gifted children possess the ability to intellectualize beyond their years at an early age, but they may not possess the emotional understanding to cope with bigger concepts like war, injustice, and death.”(4).
Sources:
1.https://www.verywellmind.com/gifted-kid-burnout-signs-symptoms-how-to-overcome-it-8611238
2. https://www.hwdsb.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Gifted-and-Mental-Health.pdf
4. https://www.davidsongifted.org/gifted-blog/anxiety-and-gifted-children/
