Problems Resulting From Perfectionism and Emotional Sensitivities
- Perfectionism can lead to fear of failure, in turn causing a gifted child to avoid failure by refusing to even try something (including doing a homework assignment!)
- Keen observation, imagination, and ability to see beyond the obvious can cause a gifted child to appear shy, holding back in new situations in order to consider all the implications.
- A gifted child may require full details before answering questions or offering help, making him or her appear socially shy.
- Intense sensitivity can cause gifted children to take criticism, or even general anger, very personally. Childhood slights do not roll off their backs.
- Sensitivity and well-developed sense of right and wrong can lead to concern over wars, starving children, pollution and other injustice and violence. If they are overloaded with images and discussions of these issues, they can become introverted and withdrawn or even suffer from “existential depression.”
One Solution: Helping Gifted Children Cope with Intense Emotions
- From http://giftedkids.about.com/od/socialemotionalissues/a/gtproblems.htm
