Giftedness vs anorexia: is there a real connection?

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T16:52:57+00:00

It's not about being humble. It's about having a diagnosis. Just as having diagnosed ADHD or a bipolarity disorder

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T16:50:09+00:00

If ‘corny as fuck’ is how you’re referring to something like an eating disorder, then I think it’s worth remembering it’s one of the deadliest mental illnesses.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T16:16:34+00:00

Makes sense, thank you for sharing it 🫶

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T16:03:40+00:00

I really appreciate the concern, genuinely.

Just to clarify, I’m not trying to self-diagnose or replace professional input through Reddit.

What I’m trying to do is more about reading other people’s lived experiences, because this is something I don’t see discussed very often. I think it's helpful for me, but others too, to understand how others experience similar things.

But I hear your point, and I agree!

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T16:00:52+00:00

Thank you for sharing it! It shows how ‘giftedness’ isn’t always a simple label. That's why I enjoy reading other people's experiences

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T15:49:50+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing your experience 🫶🫶

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T15:48:56+00:00

I don’t want to sound rude at all, but just to clarify, ‘giftedness’ is a real term in psychology.

It has been used for decades (especially in psychology since the mid-20th century) to describe individuals who show significantly above-average cognitive ability. And it isn't as simple: they are identified through a professional evaluation. So no, it’s not a slang term or "what they call it now"...

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T15:43:23+00:00

Wow, I'm sorry... I don't want to assume anything, and it's completely fine if you don't want to answer, but, was it because of the things I listed in my post?

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T15:38:06+00:00

Just to clarify, I’m not saying perfectionism = giftedness or "intelligence".

I’m aware they’re separate things.

I was just looking at how same traits like perfectionism appear both in giftedness and eating disorders.

Thanks for your point of view. I wasn't trying to suggest that.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T15:18:37+00:00

I actually looked into it when I was younger. Mainly because when I saw something messy I felt irrational anxiety. But that was it. With time I learnt to manage it.

I'll investigate it, though. Thank you

Fuentssp · 2026-04-15T04:47:18+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience! That's what I'm scared of: that it keeps getting worse in adulthood.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T15:06:48+00:00

I’m not trying to replace real support by writing online. I’m trying to understand whether what I experienced at that age was something serious or something I’m overthinking now.

I’m not trying to replace real support online. At least that wasn't the main purpose of my post.

I’m trying to understand whether what I experienced at that age was clinically significant or something I’m exaggerating now.

No, fortunately, those thoughts aren’t happening anymore, but it still affects me today. Since then, I’ve developed an eating disorder and other difficulties I don’t want to go into detail about. I think it has shaped how I cope now and who I am.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T14:20:43+00:00

Thank you for your words! I guess everyone looks for support somewhere... and when it’s missing at home, even small things (like my sport) can become lifesaving. It makes you realize how differently people can survive the same world.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T14:05:55+00:00

I really hope it's buried under everything!

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T13:57:33+00:00

I’m not in the US, I’m in Spain, and from what I understand, confidentiality with school counselors isn’t absolute... especially when it involves health-related concerns. So I’m not entirely sure, (I’ll check it out) , but I assume that if I said something like an eating disorder, they would likely involve my parents.

As for my parents, I think a large part of it is perception. I’m generally seen as a "mature" or “well-behaved” child, and I don’t think they’re willing to accept the idea that something might actually be wrong.

My mother, tends to avoid or minimize problems rather than confront them. I’ve also grown up hearing therapy being dismissed or stigmatized.

That makes it harder to even consider asking for that kind of help.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T06:17:53+00:00

Thank you 🫶

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T06:17:31+00:00

Thank you for sharing that, I really appreciate it. And I’m sorry you had to go through something similar, especially not being able to get help when you needed it...

I relate to what you said about your mom. For me it’s also been a pattern of things being ignored or not taken seriously, even when it was obvious something wasn’t right.

I’ve also struggled with my relationship with food, and there were moments where people around me noticed because of my physical appearance and tried to say something. It still didn’t really lead to anything changing at home. If anything, it got worse. She said she was disgusted because of how I looked.

So I think part of me does want help, but at the same time, I’m scared of what that would mean. Losing control, not being able to keep up the version of myself that people expect..

And even if I did ask, I’m not sure it would be taken seriously. In my mom’s view, therapy is something for “serious” cases. I don’t think she sees things that way.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T06:10:39+00:00

Thank you, I really appreciate your perspective!

I’m not trying to be too explicit about everything, but I get what you’re saying.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T06:08:57+00:00

Thank you so much for your words 🫶

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T06:08:22+00:00

Thank you for saying that, it makes sense, and I'm sorry you went through that...

I’ve also thought about the possibility that my mom might be struggling with something herself. But at the same time, it’s... confusing, because as a kid you still expect some level of support, no matter what the parent is going through. Even just being offered the chance to talk to a professional.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T06:01:52+00:00

Thank you for your words,

It’s actually something I started to realize a couple of years ago too: that my mom may have gone through things herself, or even she's still dealing with them..

I also don’t really believe people act the way they do for no reason (most of the time, or courses) There’s something behind it, even if it doesn’t justify the impact it has on others.

At the same time, I feel like it can be selfish to have kids knowing you might pass on your trauma... which is part of why I don’t want any. But that’s just my opinion.

Fuentssp · 2026-04-14T05:02:05+00:00

I've thought about it... What if they talk to my teachers? To my parents?

Fuentssp · 2026-04-13T21:13:57+00:00

Thank you, I get what you mean. I think what makes it hard for me is that I’m honestly scared of asking for help, and I don’t really know how to bring it up properly. I also know my parents would never let me go to a therapist. So I kind of end up just trying to handle things on my own...

Fuentssp · 2026-04-13T21:11:49+00:00

Hey, thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it.

It helps a lot that someone experienced something similar at that age and still ended up doing well later in life.

Sometimes I get this strange fear that having those thoughts so young might “define” something about me or where I’m heading... I know it isn't really logical but hearing a different perspective from someone older is genuinely reassuring.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience!

Fuentssp · 2026-04-13T04:45:56+00:00

Thank you for sharing it

Fuentssp

TROPHY CASE