7 Quiet Crises Former "Gifted Kids" Often Face in Adulthood

What growing up “gifted” in the 80s and 90s really cost us (existential depression, substance use, shame and more)

Growing up gifted* in the 1980s or 1990s often meant excelling in school but flying under the radar when it came to emotional well-being. As a therapist specializing in gifted and neurocomplex adults, I’ve witnessed firsthand how many adults from this cohort grapple with challenges that often trace back to their early years. Here’s an in-depth look at seven common realities gifted kids then face as adults today.

* In specific “gifted and talented” programming, just missing that cutoff, or simply crushing the Book It pizza reading challenge (or equivalent)