Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Impatience, sensitivity, and high energy are common in children with ADHD as well as in children who are gifted. Some gifted children do have ADHD, but most do not.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Like children with oppositional defiant disorder, gifted children often appear strong-willed. They do not like to be criticized for their unique way of thinking. They may question rules and have power struggles with people who are in charge.

Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Gifted children may have strong mood swings. They are quick to notice problems. They can feel alienated from others. These traits are often found in children with depression and bipolar disorder. Mood swings do not mean that a gifted child suffers from a mood disorder, but they should be referred to a child psychiatrist.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder or Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder

Gifted children like to organize things into complex structures. They tend to be perfectionists and idealists. They can get upset when others do not go agree with them. This may be thought to be obsessive-compulsive disorder or obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.

Asperger Syndrome

Gifted children often have unique ways of being social. Their strange comments and jokes may be thought to be signs of Asperger syndrome. People with this problem may be gifted, but they do not respond to ordinary social or emotional cues. They may not make friends right away and often want to be by themselves.

In contrast, gifted children often show a great deal of concern for others. If your gifted child gets along well with both adults and children, then Asperger syndrome is not likely.