OE, I agree it is good to pinpoint these different learning styles early on while children are still developing so that a nurturing and accepting environment can be built for these kids.

I highly doubt I am gifted. But just from reading this article (it is rather long), I am fascinated by the fact that many who did not discover their giftedness as children have grown to become estranged adults who can no longer become classified as gifted due to a different way of measuring one’s talents.

Discovering the Gifted Ex-Child

I think the article has a point that there needs to be a focus on the internal processes to classify giftedness, not just mere achievements at face value.

I wonder if the underlying root of depression is simply not feeling understood? Much similar to your comment about needing to fit “expected learning styles,” gifted children/adults never feel like they fit in to the system. If your own (possibly brilliant) method to tackle problems is not met with a degree of comprehensiveness or acceptance, that element of “misunderstood” can have a huge impact on one’s self-esteem. Doubting oneself, not feeling normal, wondering if you are the only person with these ideas or problems, it just seems like the recipe for depression.

In other cases with abusive family or relationships, that whole different world of “misunderstood” and not having a “normal” family limits the number of people you can relate to or share your concerns with. Isolation, loneliness, having no one who can listen and understand you, is that what depression is? You start to wonder what the purpose of your life is.