You haven’t taken this quiz yet. Completing it will earn you wikiPoints!
0 wP

Do I Have Gifted Kid Burnout?

Take this quiz to find out.

If you were labeled a “gifted kid” in school, you’re likely smart with some impressive academic skills. However, these gifts sometimes come with a few challenges, like perfectionism and high stress levels. Over time, this can lead to ”gifted kid burnout,” which is when a gifted kid starts feeling drained, disillusioned, and unmotivated.

Wondering if you’re dealing with gifted kid burnout? We’ve compiled this quiz to help you figure out just that. Hit the “Start Quiz” button to get started.

Quizzes Are More Fun With Friends

Share this quiz with your friends and compare results.

Questions Overview

1. Were you ever called “gifted” or placed in special classes for high achievers?
  1. Yes, I was in special gifted classes.
  2. No, but only because my schools didn’t have gifted classes.
  3. Nope, I wasn’t placed in any gifted classes.
2. Are you a high achiever at school? (Or, were you when you were still in school?)
  1. Yes, I get straight A’s.
  2. Kinda. I get A’s and B’s, and I work hard for them.
  3. Nope. Academics have never been my thing.
3. How do you feel when you get a bad grade at school or make a mistake at work?
  1. I feel completely awful, like it’s the end of the world.
  2. I feel pretty disappointed, but I try to learn from it.
  3. I feel okay, honestly. Everyone makes mistakes!
4. How are your energy levels?
  1. Very low. I feel drained all the time, and I don’t know why.
  2. Sort of low. I’ve been a little tired, but nothing crazy.
  3. My energy levels have been pretty normal lately.
5. Do the people around you put a lot of pressure on you to be excellent or super successful? (Or did they when you were growing up?)
  1. Yes! They have high hopes for me, and it’s a lot of pressure.
  2. Kinda, but they try not to stress me out too much.
  3. Not really. They give me the space to make mistakes.
6. Are you dealing with a lack of motivation?
  1. Definitely. Especially at work/school.
  2. A little bit. I’m kinda stressed and may need a break.
  3. Not at all. I feel motivated to do my best.
7. Have regular tasks been irritating you more lately?
  1. Ugh, yes. I’m so annoyed at everything I have to do!
  2. Sometimes tasks irritate me, but not all the time.
  3. Not really. I enjoy most of my daily tasks.
8. Do you have a hard time making small decisions, like what to eat or wear?
  1. Yup. Lately, even small choices feel super overwhelming.
  2. Sometimes. Usually only on extra stressful days.
  3. No, I haven’t experienced that.
9. Have you been procrastinating on tasks or withdrawing from responsibilities?
  1. Yes. I’ve been putting off important things because I’m so drained.
  2. I take care of essential things, but I’ve been putting off small tasks.
  3. Not really. I’m good at sticking to my to-do lists!
10. Do you ever downplay your knowledge or abilities to lower other people’s expectations?
  1. Yes, all the time. If I don’t, they expect too much from me.
  2. Sometimes, but only if I’m having an extra tough day.
  3. No, I never do that.
11. Have you been feeling alone or detached from the world lately?
  1. Yeah, I’ve been isolating myself and withdrawing.
  2. I feel this way sometimes, but not all the time.
  3. Nope. I feel really connected to my loved ones.

More Quizzes

Did you like this quiz?

  • First of all, living with gifted kid burnout is tough, and it takes a lot of courage to take an honest look at what\u2019s happening. You should be proud of yourself for taking this quiz and making that first step!<\/li>
  • What to do next:<\/b> If you\u2019re dealing with gifted kid burnout, prioritize self-care<\/a>. This could include things like practicing mindfulness<\/a>, exercising or doing yoga<\/a>, participating in hobbies<\/a>, connecting with loved ones, or talking to a therapist<\/a>.<\/li>
  • Gifted kid burnout and depression are two separate things, but their symptoms do overlap a little. If you think you\u2019re dealing with depression, seek out treatment with a healthcare provider right away.<\/li><\/ul>","edit_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Burnout-As-a-Former-Gifted-Kid"},{"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Gifted"}],"link_data":[{"title":"How to Deal with Burnout As a Former Gifted Kid","id":14759396,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Deal-with-Burnout-As-a-Former-Gifted-Kid","relUrl":"\/Deal-with-Burnout-As-a-Former-Gifted-Kid","image":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Deal-with-Burnout-As-a-Former-Gifted-Kid-Step-26.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Deal-with-Burnout-As-a-Former-Gifted-Kid-Step-26.jpg","alt":"How to Deal with Burnout As a Former Gifted Kid"},{"title":"How to Know if You Are Gifted","id":5444368,"url":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/Know-if-You-Are-Gifted","relUrl":"\/Know-if-You-Are-Gifted","image":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Know-if-You-Are-Gifted-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/-crop-200-200-200px-Know-if-You-Are-Gifted-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","alt":"How to Know if You Are Gifted"}],"minimum":0,"image":"","image_url":""},{"number":2,"text":"You might be dealing with gifted kid burnout.","meaning":"Based on your answers, you\u2019re experiencing some symptoms of gifted kid burnout, but they\u2019re a bit less frequent or severe. With this in mind, it\u2019s possible that you\u2019re dealing with gifted kid burnout, but you might just be going through a stressful time. Nevertheless, you should be proud of yourself for taking this quiz and prioritizing your mental health!

    • What is “Gifted Kid Burnout”?

    “Gifted kid burnout” is when a gifted child (or an adult who was previously a gifted child) experiences exhaustion, disillusionment, and a lack of motivation due to the constant stress of trying to meet high expectations. [1]

    Signs and Symptoms

    • Perfectionism and extreme distress over even small mistakes.
    • Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or drained most of the time.
    • Loss of motivation at school or work.
    • Increased irritability, cynicism, and/or negativity.
    • Difficulty making simple choices, like what to wear.
    • A sense of detachment or being alone in the world.
    • Withdrawing from responsibilities or procrastinating on tasks.
    • A tendency to downplay knowledge or abilities to lower others’ expectations.
    • Taking frustrations out on others. [2]

    Causes

    • Extremely high expectations: When “gifted kids” are singled out for their intelligence, this comes with higher expectations for success. Parents and teachers often get excited about the child’s talent and express their expectation that they’ll excel at everything they do. These high demands create an environment of constant stress for the gifted kid, which can later lead to burnout.
    • Self-imposed pressure: Many gifted kids have a tendency toward perfectionism, so they put a lot of pressure on themselves to be good at things. They’re then extra hard on themselves when they fall short of their own expectations. Over time, this can lead to disillusionment and a lack of motivation, which are key aspects of burnout.
    • Brain & personality differences: Highly gifted kids often have certain traits that make them more prone to burnout, such as increased sensitivity and difficulty controlling their emotions. Many gifted kids are also neurodivergent. All of these factors can impact their ability to cope with the pressures they’re experiencing, leading to burnout. [3]

    Prevention & Coping Strategies

    • If you’re a parent of a gifted child:
      • Tell your child you love and accept them no matter what, and that this love isn’t dependent on their academic achievement.
      • Teach your child that it’s okay to fail or make mistakes sometimes, and that they don’t need to be perfect.
      • Encourage your child to explore other hobbies and interests outside of academics (music, art, sports, etc).
      • Teach your child to take study breaks and rest when they need to.
    • If you’re an adult who was a former gifted kid:
      • Make self-care a priority. This could include things like practicing mindfulness, meditating, doing yoga, working out, and taking breaks.
      • Practice self-compassion and positive self-talk. Try to be patient and forgiving toward yourself when you make mistakes, rather than being self-critical. Remind yourself that no one is perfect, and that you’re doing the best you can.
      • Focus on work-life balance. As a former gifted kid, you probably have high professional standards for yourself. It’s important, however, to take enough time to rest and have fun. Recharging is good for your mental health, and it actually helps you perform to the best of your ability. [4]

    Want to learn more?

    You Might Also Like

    References

    1. ↑ https://georgetownvoice.com/2023/03/22/gifted-kid-burnout-is-very-real/
    2. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery
    3. ↑ https://www.vox.com/culture/365064/former-gifted-kids-burned-out-memes
    4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/burnout#dealing-with-burnout