Gifted youths and adults think differently, and have oversensitivity and heightened emotional reactivity. Because they have a deeper vision of the world, it can make life more challenging for them and their entourage.

Thanks to their high sensitivity, gifted individuals are specifically challenged by affective distress over several factors: overthinking, perfectionism, procrastination, isolation, boredom, underachievement (dumb themselves down to fit in), impostor complex (doubt the validity of their accomplishment), asynchronous development (social/affective/intellectual), over sensibility and over-reactivity, existential depression (search for meaning and purpose).

Many gifted people have managed to adjust with success, but others suffer and can benefit from the guidance of a psychotherapist who can offer support and help them develop perspective and coping skills.