Η Σχέση της Χαρισματικότητας και των Ψυχολογικών Δυσκολιών

Abstract

It is undisputable that gifted students exhibit great abilities and high performance which cannot be compared to those of their peers. Their difference is apparent not only to the gifted people themselves, but also to their social environment, causing loneliness and emotional isolation. Due to this eccentricity, it is widely believed that giftedness could lead to depression, suicidal thoughts or other psychological difficulties and disorders. Additionally, gifted people are thought to overanalyze the “big” questions of life and existential issues and therefore, are frequently associated with existential depression.

This research paper aims to investigate the relationship between giftedness and psychological difficulties and whether this relationship corresponds to reality. It questions whether a gifted person is more prone to the development of psychological issues than the non-gifted people. Finally, it examines whether the gifted people tend to suffer from existential depression.

This issue is still under debate and researchers haven’t unanimously reached to a conclusion on whether a gifted person has more possibilities in suffering from a psychological disorder compared to the general population. Nevertheless, all of them have highlighted the importance of a supportive environment for a smooth social integration and psychological assistance that the gifted person will need.