Discover the Hidden Signs of Giftedness in Adulthood: Are You More Commonly Rare Than You Realized?

Have you ever asked yourself “Why am I around all these dummies?”, and then immediately felt guilty for thinking that, because you know you are no better than them. Perhaps you've been labeled "smart," yet that doesn't quite capture the reality of your experiences. Maybe you dive deep into subjects that others find as nightmare topics, or you feel emotions more intensely than those around you. If so, you might be among the many adults who are “gifted” but unaware of it.

The Subtle Line Between Giftedness and Being Smart

Being smart often refers to having a high level of knowledge or the ability to learn quickly. Giftedness, however, is a complicated way of experiencing the world, consisting of intense intellectual, emotional, and creative energies. As Dr. Mary-Elaine Jacobsen, author of The Gifted Adult, explains, gifted individuals possess "advanced levels of intellectual processing, heightened sensitivity, and a strong drive toward personal growth."

Growing up in the Slums of New York City, I was always curious, obsessively so. While my friends were content with simple answers, I needed to know the "why" and "how" behind everything. This hunger for curiosity often left me feeling out of place, but I couldn't turn it off. It wasn't until my age of 39 that I realized this was a mindset of a neurodivergent called giftedness. Ok, don’t get scared, let me explain . . .

According to Dr. Linda Silverman, a psychologist specializing in giftedness, "Giftedness is asynchronous development. The advanced cognitive abilities and heightened intensity combine to create inner experiences and awareness that are qualitatively different from the norm."; that's a lot of words to say that there is a part in our brain that is heightened.

Does Giftedness Fade Over Time?

A common misconception is that giftedness is a childhood phenomenon that does fade with age. In reality, giftedness is a lifelong trait. While the curiosity of childhood discovery might calm, the core spark, intellectual curiosity, deep sensitivity, and creative thinking, will always be there.

Studies show that about 2% of the population is considered gifted based on an IQ score of 130 or above. However, many gifted adults go unrecognized due to societal pressures to conform or a lack of awareness about adult giftedness. Plus, lets be real, The word “Gifted” is cringe, and we don’t want to be called that, then again affiliated with it.

Reflections on Childhood: The Gifted Adult's Retrospective

Gifted adults often look back on their childhoods with mixed emotions. Many recall feeling out of place among their peers, grappling with boredom in traditional educational settings, or being labeled as "too sensitive" or "overthinkers."

Take the example of Abena, a software engineer who always felt different. As a child, she taught herself to code at age nine. Despite her talents, she struggled socially and felt isolated. It wasn't until she joined a community for similarly gifted adults that she found others who shared her passions and experiences.

Navigating Social Dynamics: The Gifted Adult's Challenge

Social interactions can be a Rubiks Cube for gifted adults. Their desire for deep, meaningful conversations can make small talk feel “ughhh”. They might struggle to find others who share their intensity and passions, leading to feelings of disconnect and extreme loneliness.

Dr. James T. Webb, a leading authority on giftedness, notes, "Gifted individuals often experience social and emotional difficulties because they don't fit the norms. They may feel alienated and misunderstood."

The Restlessness of a Gifted Mind

Do you find yourself easily bored, craving new experiences or knowledge to keep your mind engaged? Gifted adults often require constant intellectual stimulation. Routine tasks or superficial topics might leave them feeling restless.

I remember working in a grocery store that, on the surface, was simple and perfect. But the routine nature left me unfulfilled. It wasn't until I started tackling more complex projects, working in a fast pace bank with complicated customers, that I felt truly engaged.

The Enigma of Elon Musk's IQ

Although honestly, I can’t stand him; due to his Giftedness people often wonder about the intelligence of visionary figures like Elon Musk. While his exact IQ isn't publicly disclosed, Musk is undeniably a brilliant thinker whose ideas have reshaped industries.

While IQ can be a marker of giftedness, it's not the sole indicator. Giftedness also involves creativity, problem-solving abilities, and emotional depth; all traits exemplified by innovators like Musk, Steve Jobs, Warren Buffet, and maybe you.

The Double-Edged Sword of Giftedness

Giftedness brings incredible strengths but also unique challenges:

• Emotional Intensity: Gifted individuals often experience emotions more profoundly, leading to heightened empathy but also increased vulnerability to stress or anxiety.

• Perfectionism: The desire for excellence can drive achievement but may also result in self-criticism or fear of failure.

• Isolation: Feeling misunderstood can lead to loneliness.

According to psychologist Kazimierz Dabrowski's Theory of Positive Disintegration, the overexcitabilities (intensities) in gifted individuals are part of their developmental potential, but they can also cause significant inner turmoil. That's a fancy way to say, being gifted is not really a gift; that’s why I personally hate the word “Gifted”.

The Genetic Thread: Is Giftedness Hereditary?

Research suggests that giftedness has a hereditary component. Families often share traits such as high intellectual capacity, creativity, or specific talents. I personally think it’s because smart parents share their smartness, which is why athletic parents share their athletic skills; Lebron James.

Studies have shown that heritability estimates for intelligence range from 50% to 80%, indicating a significant genetic influence.

Giftedness and Neurodiversity

Giftedness is considered a form of neurodiversity; a natural variation in how brains function. So yes, if you can relate, there's something different about the way your brain works!

The Neurodiversity Movement advocates for recognizing and respecting neurological differences, including giftedness, as a social category similar to ethnicity or sexual orientation.

Nature, Nurture, and the Making of Giftedness

Are Gifted people born with it or developed? The consensus leans toward a combination of both.

Dr. Francoys Gagné's Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent suggests that natural abilities (gifts) are transformed into competencies (talents) through learning and practice, influenced by environmental factors.

Untangling ADHD and Giftedness

Giftedness and ADHD can exhibit overlapping behaviors, such as high energy levels or difficulty focusing on unengaging tasks.

Dr. Edward R. Amend explains, "Gifted children are often misdiagnosed with ADHD because their behaviors, like inattention or hyperactivity, may actually stem from being unchallenged or bored."

Self-Discovery: Recognizing Your Own Giftedness

So, how can you tell if you're gifted? Reflect on these questions:

• Do you have an insatiable curiosity about the world?

• Are you highly sensitive emotionally or sensory-wise? You may not admit to this one.

• Do you think in complex, abstract ways?

• Have you felt different from those around you throughout your life?

• Do you have a strong sense of justice or idealism?

• Do you feel lonely very often, because you can not relate to the simplicity of how people think?

Actionable Steps:

Honestly, I'm still figuring out what to do with this information myself. 🤷🏾‍♂️

The Rarity of Giftedness

Giftedness is relatively rare, occurring in about 2% of the population.

According to the National Association for Gifted Children, approximately 3 million children in the U.S. are identified as gifted, and many adults remain unrecognized because we refuse to accept and acknowledge it which leave a huge gap of information to learn about ourselves.

IQ and the Spectrum of Giftedness

An IQ score of 130 or above is commonly used as a benchmark for giftedness.

However, as Dr. Joseph Renzulli points out in his Three-Ring Conception of Giftedness, above-average ability is just one aspect; creativity and task commitment are equally important.

Inside the Mind of a Gifted Adult

The mind of a gifted adult is a vibrant landscape where ideas mixed in unexpected ways.

Sometimes, my thoughts race so quickly that it's challenging to keep up. I make connections between concepts that seem unrelated to others, but to me, they form a clear picture.

The Journey from Gifted Child to Gifted Adult

Why do some gifted children struggle later in life?

Dr. Paula Prober, author of Your Rainforest Mind, explains that gifted adults may face "existential depression" due to heightened awareness and sensitivity to global issues.

Embracing Your Gifted Traits

Gifted adults often share common characteristics:

• Lifelong Learners: A continuous desire to acquire new knowledge.

• Deep Thinkers: Preference for meaningful conversations and activities.

• Highly Perceptive: Ability to notice subtleties in environments or situations.

• Creative Problem Solvers: Innovative approaches to challenges.

Juan Carlos, a gifted adult who struggled with feelings of isolation, found fulfillment when he started volunteering for environmental causes. His ability to think holistically allowed him to develop innovative solutions, and he finally felt connected to a community that valued his contributions.

Moving Forward: Celebrating Your Giftedness

If you've seen glimpses of yourself in these descriptions, it might be time to explore the possibility that you're gifted. I promise, this isn't about labeling yourself but about understanding your unique wiring, and understanding that you are not alone!

Dr. Alice Miller emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance, stating, "The true self doesn't flourish under conditions of denial but thrives when acknowledged and nurtured."

Embrace Your Journey

Being gifted isn’t solely about accomplishments; it’s about the way you uniquely experience and interpret the world. This journey is one of self-discovery, acceptance, and, ultimately, a celebration of the rich perspective that shapes who you are. Remember, your gift doesn’t make you better than others, but it does make you uniquely special, and what you choose to do with this gift is entirely up to you!

Know that you’re not alone in this mindset. By embracing and understanding your mind, you can unlock new possibilities and lead a life that is fully, authentically yours.