Giftedness in Adults: A Neurodivergence or Untapped Potential

When a person is constantly bored, frequently misunderstood, and highly sensitive to their surroundings, it might not just be a daily life issue. It might be a condition called giftedness in adults.

For a long time, giftedness was used to focus only on children with high intellectual ability. And so identification and help for this condition have been mostly focused on children. However, gifted children grow into gifted adults. And most of these adults either have not previously been identified as gifted or forget being identified as one. ^[1] They were just one of the bright and active kids at school. Without this awareness, as they grow, they might sense that they are different. Daily life situations can be challenging for them. 

Is this difference part of a challenging neurodiversity? Or is it a sign of hidden, untapped potential that can be harnessed for a better life and career? Let’s know about giftedness in adults that can present differently from that of children.

What is giftedness and what are its characteristics?

There is no proper definition of giftedness. But the widely accepted meaning of giftedness is as follows: A person is considered gifted if he or she has an intelligence level higher than average people that he or she can use to grasp information quicker, apply it in different situations, learn from his or her experience and perform recognizably better than an average person. ^[2]

The common characteristics of a gifted adult are ^{[3, 4]}:

1. Gifted people have a more sophisticated intellect that they can use to easily grasp more complex issues around them.

2. They can have a heightened sensitivity to their surroundings and a capacity to appreciate the richness around them.

3. They are highly creative problem solvers and have vivid imaginations.

4. They can get bored easily and need constant stimulation.

5. They are very driven in their work.

6. They are very curious and ask a lot of questions.

7. They don’t like authority and like to be independent.

8. They are empathetic, mostly introverted, and have a small group of friends.

9. They have a strong sense of justice and morality.

10. They can be easily misunderstood for their driven nature and curiosity.

11. They have a good sense of humor.

12. They can be perfectionists and are too self-critical.

13. They can sometimes have intense emotions.
    

Giftedness in adults: As a challenging neurodiversity

Giftedness is considered to be neurodiversity ^[5]. 

Neurodiversity is a difference in brain structure and functionality when compared to what is considered typical in most people. Considering this definition, giftedness falls on the spectrum of neurodiverse conditions. But, many consider common neurodiverse conditions like ADHD and autism as disorders to be diagnosed ^[6], while giftedness is not seen the same way.

To clarify this, MedBound Times reached out to psychologist Megha Tiwari for her opinion on this is:

Also, according to this article in Healthline ^[7], the characteristics of giftedness can overlap with those of ADHD. To clarify this MedBound Times approached Dr. Deborah Ruf, a researcher, and author of The Five levels of Gifted, for her opinion:

However, beyond this comparison, when you are different from what is accepted to be "normal,"  you can face challenges in your life. The term “giftedness” can sound presumptuous but it is no exception and comes with challenges like any other neurodiversity. Note to remember here: for gifted people, intellectual superiority alone is not going to bring happiness. 

The challenges faced by gifted adults are many:

• Inability to embrace their uniqueness: Gifted adults have a unique perspective on things happening around them and a strong sense of fairness. When they notice how the events happening around them are different and realize their inability to change or make it work for them, they can fall into depression and anxiety.

• Impostor syndrome: Their differences can make them feel like they don't belong, leading to self-doubt. This can make them believe that their successes are underserved or due to dumb luck. ^[8]

• Perfectionists and procrastinators: They expect perfection in their work and tend to procrastinate to obtain that high level of perfection.

• Difficulty in executive functions: Some can have difficulty in planning and organization of work.

• Getting bored easily: Gifted adults are curious and have high energy levels. When they are not stimulated enough or challenged to work, they are quick to get bored. This reflects general dissatisfaction, exhaustion, and a low mood in daily life. ^[9]

• Heightened sensitivity and over-excitabilities: They can have an intense reaction to stimuli, which can manifest as a high emotional or physical response irrelevant to the nature of the stimuli.  ^[10]

• Relationships: Gifted adults have difficulty in making meaningful and long-lasting relationships. They need someone to reciprocate their enthusiasm and intellectual discussions, which is not the case most of the times. They can see through superficial and dishonest behavior as they are quite sensitive to emotions and behaviors. They can be impatient when the other person is not as quick as to grasp things. They need more personal space to explore and immerse in projects. These qualities often make them misunderstood in relationships. ^[11]

• At workplaces: People are uncomfortable with differences. At workplaces, other people can be taken aback or even intimidated when gifted adults voice their creative ideas or opinions. This creates a disconnect between them, making it difficult for the gifted adult to make and maintain work relationships.

Nicole, a gifted adult, says in her article ^[12] that her giftedness made her the subject of mocking, rumors, and gaslighting. She mentions that she faced rejection and invisible competition from her peers. 

Giftedness in adults can present as any of these challenges. Many think that they have some other personality disorder or mental health problem. But, if they get evaluated and become aware of their innate nature, they could find a way to make their life more joyful.

Giftedness in adults: The untapped potential

Gifted adults can have challenges, as mentioned above. These challenges can be switched into opportunities for growth and joy in life ^[13]. They can tap into the potential benefits of being a gifted person by making some changes in their lives.

• Acceptance: Many gifted people are in denial of their capabilities for fear of being different from the status quo. The point where they need to start is to accept that they are just different and not broken to be fixed. It is a part of their own nature.

• Make meaningful connections with gifted people: Gifted people can relate too well with each other. Creating such connections can make them feel less lonely and bored, and they will have someone to reciprocate their interests.

• Learn to communicate better: It is good to learn a better way to communicate their difference with other ordinary people in their lives. Bluntly saying that I’m a gifted person can seem arrogant. Instead, they can explain why they are different, highlighting their challenges and what they want in their relationships. They don’t have to go about explaining themselves to everyone. 

• Put their sensitivity and creativity to good use: Gifted people can use their sensitivity and creativity in their careers and life in general. Sensitive people are naturally empathetic to others. Using their nature to empathize and connect to choose a career that adds meaning to their life can be rewarding. Also, the world needs more creative people. Gifted people can harness their creative potential and practice it every day to add more value to others. 

• Beat boredom with their multi-passionate trait: When you are passionate about so many things, it is tough to get bored. Gifted people naturally have the talent to pursue and learn so many things. Keeping themselves engaged in activities that they are curious about can put a stop to their boredom.

• Embrace imperfection: Gifted people must assure themselves of the fact that no one can be hundred percent perfect. Instead, they can think of themselves as in the growing phase when they are trying to master a skill or do a job.

• Have a preset toolkit to cope with stress and emotions: However, we try to improve our situations, stress and emotional reactions can be inevitable. Gifted people can have a preset toolkit of go-to activities that let them calm down their nerves and relax. It’s better to have a plan to deal with such situations without feeling helpless and lonely.