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There is a popular notion that gifted children are at risk for higher rates of depression and suicide compared to their peers. However, "no empirical data supports this belief, except for students who are creatively gifted in the visual arts and writing" (Neihart & Olenchak.) Nor, however, is there good evidence that rates of depression and suicide are significantly lower among populations of gifted children," according to Gifted Children and Depression by Maureen Neihart in The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children: What Do We Know?
The popular notion persists, however. Hoagie’s gifted website has a section about depression and suicide. As well, the American websites for the National Association For Gifted Children and Supporting Emotional Needs of the Gifted also address this issue.
However, even if gifted children aren’t more prone to being depressed, that doesn’t mean that your gifted child won’t get depressed. As pointed out on the website above, ‘there are two major reasons parents of gifted children should be especially aware of depression. Depression is more frequently observed in today's students, making it more likely that your child or one of your child's peers will be affected. Depression, as the name indicates, reduces interest in learning, a necessary component in the development of abilities."
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