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"Gifted Kids" And "Old Souls" And Where They Are Now In Life, As They Said In This Reddit Thread

It seems that many have experienced the gifted-kid burnout syndrome.

"Gifted Kids" And "Old Souls" And Where They Are Now In Life, As They Said In This Reddit Thread

It's not really surprising to learn that most "gifted kids" and children often described as "old souls" have grown up to lead lives that can be quite depressing. While not all of them have ended up in dire situations, it's safe to say that a significant number of them rode high waves during their youth only to crash ashore once they faced college or adulthood.

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These days, you may have heard the terms "Gifted Kid Burnout" or "Gifted Kid Syndrome" circulating in the online world. People have coined these terms for individuals who were labeled as gifted, talented, and exceptionally smart during childhood, yet found themselves in a downward spiral as adults due to burnout, pressure, and the excessive perfectionism they strived to achieve while growing up.

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This phenomenon may also stem from parents smothering their children and pushing them to be the best, leading to an unhealthy obsession with maintaining top performance, especially in terms of grades. If you were one of these kids, you likely understand the feeling of yearning for something great, yet struggling to dream big or motivate yourself because you have already burned out during your youth.

That being said, when a Reddit user asked this question in the r/AskReddit community, "ex"-gifted kids and old souls crowded the replies and shared where they ended up in life. Take a look at the best responses below!

That being said, when a Reddit user asked this question in the r/AskReddit community, Reddit
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1. All those won contests, gained medals, and high grades, only to end up at a dead-end job

1. All those won contests, gained medals, and high grades, only to end up at a dead-end jobReddit
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2. Some of them are now in therapy to unpack years of trauma and pressure

2. Some of them are now in therapy to unpack years of trauma and pressureReddit

3. A bonus if they are gay now

3. A bonus if they are gay nowReddit

4. A sad truth about people who peaked when they were in grade school

4. A sad truth about people who peaked when they were in grade schoolReddit

5. This one's got a PhD!

5. This one's got a PhD!Reddit

6. It's a good thing and a relief to see that some of them still ended up successful, after all. However, there are still some negative aspects to consider.

6. It's a good thing and a relief to see that some of them still ended up successful, after all. However, there are still some negative aspects to consider. Reddit

7. A doctor that needs rehab

7. A doctor that needs rehabReddit

8. This sums it all up

8. This sums it all upReddit

9. Oh, the damn imposter syndrome

9. Oh, the damn imposter syndromeReddit

10. The mental health struggles are real

10. The mental health struggles are realReddit

11. The dark side of being the gifted kid too early

11. The dark side of being the gifted kid too earlyReddit

12. Waiting to die

12. Waiting to dieReddit

13. What's important is that they are happy now

13. What's important is that they are happy nowReddit Reddit

14. The key to a truly happier life!

14. The key to a truly happier life!Reddit

15. A lot of adults who were gifted kids are actually late diagnosed!

15. A lot of adults who were gifted kids are actually late diagnosed!Reddit

16. A great thing to do is to prevent kids from experiencing the pressure and burnout associated with being gifted at an early age

16. A great thing to do is to prevent kids from experiencing the pressure and burnout associated with being gifted at an early ageReddit

17. Struggling in Med School

17. Struggling in Med SchoolReddit

18. If you are looking for a sign to get tested again, this is it!

18. If you are looking for a sign to get tested again, this is it!Reddit

19. A stargazer? Hmm.

19. A stargazer? Hmm.Reddit

20. Sometimes life does not go the way you want it to

20. Sometimes life does not go the way you want it toReddit

21. Happiness should always be a priority

21. Happiness should always be a priorityReddit

22. Still pushing through

22. Still pushing throughReddit

23. The desire to have a job that does not necessarily require you to think

23. The desire to have a job that does not necessarily require you to thinkReddit

24. A programmer at home

24. A programmer at homeReddit

OP had to comment on how they were late diagnosed, too!

OP had to comment on how they were late diagnosed, too!Reddit

No matter where they ended up, it's great to know that some of them are happy now with their current situation, regardless of their career and status. Conversely, it's also sad to hear that some are suffering from significant mental health issues due to the years they dedicated to being the best.

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