Identifying
the Highly Creative Person
The Center for Creative Intelligence is established
upon the understanding that highly creative people are often united
by similar characteristics and experiences that remain
largely unrecognized:
- Highly creative individuals often possess
a similar cluster of innate aptitudes. These aptitudes, when used
in combination, give rise to the gift of creative intelligence – a
superior ability for innovative thinking and application. These aptitudes
include:
- High ideaphoria,
having a naturally rapid flow of ideas;
- Divergent thinking patterns,
a natural inclination for simultaneous and multifaceted thinking,
used in addition to linear thinking;
- Acute sensory skills in one
or more of the five senses, often exhibited in terms of having strong
sensitivities to light, sound or visual images;
- Strong intuitive capabilities,
as in the experience of “knowing” something is true
and being highly accurate without reliance on concrete information;
- High emotional intelligence,
having an acute awareness of one’s own feelings as they occur,
and the ability to be highly attuned to the emotions of others –
often referred to as “e.q.” - emotional quotient.
- The abilities of highly creative people are frequently
hidden under an easily recognized problem in daily life including
emotional, occupational and relationship difficulties. Specific problems
usually correlate with specific abilities. While individuals are usually
aware of the problem, they may not be aware of the ability.
- Highly creative people often face a lifetime of
hardship and psychological pain because they do not see themselves
or their abilities clearly. As a result they may fit themselves
into situations that are unsuitable for them, and may blame themselves
when they are unable to solve their problems.
- Their creative abilities can become liabilities
when they are not recognized, protected and given a meaningful outlet
on a direct basis. This phenomenon may be considered the “double-edged
sword” experience of being a highly creative person.
- Highly creative people frequently suffer from a
type of
“invisible" psychological trauma” when their experiences
and abilities have not been adequately acknowledged from an early
age. As adults, this trauma can be re-triggered on a regular
basis when others do not appear to “get” what they are
saying or doing.
- Highly creative individuals who receive mental health
treatment from doctors or therapists who remain unaware of their needs
and abilities are often in danger of receiving an incorrect mental
health diagnosis. The experience of being inaccurately pathologized
can further traumatize them and compound the difficulties they already
have.
Some of the most common misdiagnoses highly
creative people receive are: bipolar disorder, attention deficit disorder
(ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive
compulsive disorder (OCD) and social anxiety disorder.
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