Gifted Burnout

Gifted burnout is what happens when someone with high ability becomes exhausted, unmotivated, or emotionally drained after too much pressure for too long.

It’s common among:

• People who were labelled “gifted” in school
• Twice-exceptional (2e) or neurodivergent individuals
• Those with perfectionistic traits or internal pressure to succeed

It’s not about laziness

Gifted burnout can look like:

• Losing motivation or interest in things that once brought joy
• Struggling to start or finish tasks
• Emotional numbness, anxiety, or even shutdowns
• Feeling like a failure — despite external “success”

This often stems from years of high expectations paired with unmet support needs.

It often goes unnoticed

Because gifted individuals can appear outwardly capable, their struggles are often dismissed. They might:

• Mask their challenges to keep up appearances
• Avoid asking for help, fearing they’ll be seen as weak
• Be expected to “cope” without question

This mismatch can quietly build toward burnout.

What helps

• Reducing pressure to constantly excel
• Recognising strengths and support needs
• Creating space for rest, not just achievement
• Validating emotions and struggles without tying them to performance

Burnout doesn’t mean someone’s broken — it means they’ve been overused without being supported.