Giftedness brings with it a high level of intellectual capacity, but it also presents challenges, especially in the area of social interactions. Gifted individuals often feel disconnected from the people around them, which leads them to adopt camouflage behaviors in order to better adapt to their environment. This effort to fit in can be difficult and even detrimental to their emotional well-being. I will give two examples that illustrate how this occurs in the daily lives of these individuals.
Behavioral Imitation
One of the most common forms of adaptation that gifted individuals use is to imitate the behavior of their peers. A more serious or introspective gifted individual, for example, may start to copy the behavior of their friends in order to feel more integrated. Through mirror neurons, they can reproduce gestures and attitudes that they observe, creating behavior that often does not correspond to their true way of being.
Although this adaptation can facilitate social interactions, it creates a distance from who the gifted person really is. By imitating behaviors, they can end up creating a “mask” that hides their true personality. This can lead to a feeling of discomfort and inauthenticity, where the person feels forced to act in a way that is not natural for them, just to be accepted. Over time, this need to fit in can cause frustration and significant emotional distress.
The Rise of Alcohol Consumption for Relaxation
Another common behavior is increased alcohol consumption to feel more comfortable in social interactions. Many gifted individuals feel that their minds are constantly working at a higher speed than others, which can make them more anxious or uncomfortable in social situations. Alcohol, as a disinhibiting substance, allows them to feel more relaxed and sociable, making it easier to interact with people.
However, this strategy has its risks. Using alcohol to fit in socially can lead to emotional dependence on the substance, making it necessary for the person to feel part of the group. Furthermore, constant alcohol use hides the real problem: the difficulty of finding an environment in which the gifted person can be accepted without having to resort to this type of external “help.”
The Long-Term Impact
These camouflage behaviors are attempts at social adaptation for gifted individuals, but they can have negative long-term impacts. The constant need to imitate behaviors or use substances such as alcohol to feel included can lead to emotional exhaustion. The individual’s true personality is pushed aside, which can lead to problems such as depression, anxiety, and a growing sense of isolation.
The solution to these difficulties lies in fostering environments where the individuality of gifted individuals is respected and valued, allowing them to express themselves without having to hide their abilities. This not only improves the emotional well-being of these individuals, but also contributes to a healthier and more enriching coexistence for everyone around them.
Dr. Fabiano de Abreu Agrela Rodrigues MRSB holds a post-PhD in Neuroscience and is an elected member of Sigma Xi – The Scientific Research Honor Society (more than 200 members of Sigma Xi have received the Nobel Prize), as well as being a member of the Society for Neuroscience in the United States, the Royal Society of Biology and The Royal Society of Medicine in the United Kingdom, the European Society of Human Genetics in Vienna, Austria, and the APA – American Philosophical Association in the United States. He holds a Master’s degree in Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Biology. He is also a Technologist in Anthropology and Philosophy, with several national and international degrees in Neuroscience and Neuropsychology. Dr. Fabiano is a member of prestigious high IQ societies, including Mensa International, Intertel, ISPE High IQ Society, Triple Nine Society, ISI-Society, and HELLIQ Society High IQ. He is the author of more than 300 scientific studies and 30 books. He is currently a visiting professor at PUCRS in Brazil, UNIFRANZ in Bolivia and Santander in Mexico. He also serves as Director of CPAH – Centro de Pesquisa e Análises Heráclito and is the creator of the GIP project, which estimates IQ through the analysis of genetic intelligence. Dr. Fabiano is also a registered journalist, having his name included in the book of records for achieving four records, one of which is for being the greatest creator of characters in the history of the press.