Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums General Discussion Are gifted children more likely to be sensitive?

DD13 is probably gifted, and possibly HG+ according to Dottie, but I was just wondering, have you guys noticed that your kids are especially sensitive? DD cries when animals die, which is a typical "sensitive" trait. But, to take it further, she cries whenever she gets criticized. (and shes not a wimpy kid, she does not cry when she gets hurt or anything, and certainly does not seem to be the crying type, and she has told me that she hates how she starts crying when criticized) but continuing, she hates to see people feel bad about themselves. For any of you guys who watch the office, I can give you an episode that she hated because of that. I don't know, just wondering about it.

Yes, yes, yes.... and teen hormones are making things so extreme. My DS15 got teary eyed near the end of Marley and Me.

On SENG's website, there is an article on Oversensitivities of gifted children. I find it comforting to read some of the characteristics and parenting suggestions to deal with these issues.

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One of the main characteristics of giftedness, based on my understanding, is to be more intense or extreme - and emotionally intense is not an exception. As a matter of fact, somewhere along the way I came across an understanding that the higher the IQ, the more intense the "special" characteristics. Of course, that is a HUGE generalization, but seems to be true when looking at our little people and their friends that have been identified. The best way we've found to deal with it is to treat them respectfully and with understanding.

Sorry I don't have any more solid info. If you'd like more info, I can see what I can dig up.

I.... cant'..... believe... it.... thats so funny, I was about to put Marley and me as an example of when this happened... so thats kind of funny.

I know the movie has moved a lot of people, however, my DS seemed to be upset the movie made him feel. He says he had "popcorn salt in his eyes" :S....

Another movie that seemed to upset him greatly was the movie Knowing. He has been thinking about why he exists for a while now and when the teen years hit, he was quite upset and even bothered by not knowing. He questions, respectfully, his grandmother's passion of Christianity, the world's spirituality/philosphies, and favors world history especially ancient cultures. Anyway, I thought after watching the movie Knowing together, it would open up conversation and discussion between us. He was too upset to talk about it eventhough, his younger brother and I made references to various parts of the Bible and historic facts to the movie.

I sometimes wonder why he takes such thoughts to great lengths and be bothered by such questions. I have to remind him, while in process of finding the answer, it doesn't excuse him from tidying up his room today.

You may want to google "Dabrowski's overexcitabilities" -- I believe Elizabeth Mika has done some work in this area. When I first started researching all things GT, I ran across an article called "Intensitive!: Intensities and Sensitivities of the Gifted," by Linda Silverman, that was really helpful for me.

Yup. Definitely look up Dabrowski.

Mia, I just googled the Linda Silverman article you mentioned and it is great - thank you for sharing this, it has really helped me

Bassetlover, my DS7 is extremely sensitive. He will not discuss anything to do with death, can't stand it if any of us are hurt, and struggles with dealing with people's emotions. One of his targets at school is describing and discussing people's emotions - something he generally tries to avoid. We both get tearful with movies - even ones with happy endings - so we make a fine pair! My son and I call it "happy-sad" - when the ending is so happy it makes us sad.

Does anyone know whether there is a link between these sensitivities and susceptibility to depression?