This book is one of the best books I have read that explains how gifted childrent can be misdiagnosed or have overlapping symptoms with other problems. Everyone I have loaned this to has also said it was worth reading. ( )

Included at the beginning are examples of problems, such as: "My job evaluation says I am too impatient with others..."; "My spouse says that I am too involved in too many things to the neglect of the family. We're wondering if I have a manic depressive disorder."

The authors acknowledge that gifted adults and children are not immune from emotional or behavioral problems, but caution that supposed problems need to be evaluated in the family and social context, and considered as potential "outgrowths of unusually high intellect or creativity."

Specific examples of potential disorders and disabilities are discussed in ways that can help adults, parents and therapists better understand and help without needlessly pathologizing gifted traits.

Many people do need and benefit from mental health intervention, but being incorrectly diagnosed as having behavioral, emotional, or mental disorders can lead to exceptional people losing faith in their abilities, and being treated with inappropriate or even destructive medication and therapy, and can prevent the full expression of their talents - gifts our world needs more than ever.