High Intellectual Potential

HIP – Gifted or Zebra – all of these terms overlap under the same principle. HPI is a term that we have been hearing a lot about lately, whether on television through news or series (e.g. HPI with Audrey Fleurot), or even on social networks. Let’s take a look at High Potentials.

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1. WHAT IS AN HP PERSON ?

A High Potential person is considered to have neuro-atypical functioning. This functioning is characterised by a different neurological development from the rest of the population. Thus, people with High Potential are not superior to the rest of the population, but they are able to make links between the different elements that surround them more quickly and memorise them more easily.

First of all, as a general rule there are two types of High Potential: 

HIP: High Intellectual Potential

HEP: High Emotional Potential

Being HIP

HIP stands for High Intellectual Potential. This indicates that people have a higher cognitive intelligence than people of the same age group. For a person to be considered HIP, he or she must have an IQ (Intelligence Quotient) above 130, which corresponds to 2.3% of the population with the highest IQ. As said before, this high potential mainly concerns cognitive skills. Cognitive skills include: different memories, knowledge, logical abilities, visual-spatial skills… Often people with intellectual disabilities have the characteristic of thinking in a less linear way than the rest of the population, which is known as tree thinking. One thought will generate a multitude of others, which can also lead to difficulties in concentrating on one thing at a time. This difficulty in focusing on one idea can lead to ADHD. However, beware, just because you are a high potential does not necessarily mean you have ADHD and vice versa. Another diagnosis that can often be linked to HIP is the diagnosis of ASD and particularly Asperger’s Syndrome. Like ADHD, this does not mean that all HIP’s have Asperger’s and vice versa.

Being HEP

HEP is High Emotional Potential: This characteristic corresponds to a superior emotional intelligence. HEP people do not necessarily have the same cognitive skills as HIP people, but they do have significant emotional skills. They will show strong sensitivity, empathy, and understanding of other people’s emotions and their own. Often HEP people will also have good interpersonal skills by listening to others. Thus one of the main characteristics of HEP people is the fact that they are aware of their emotions and manage them.

It is important not to confuse HEP with hypersensitivity. Indeed, a hypersensitive person will also be very sensitive to what surrounds him or her in the environment, whether it be noise, light, sensations, etc., whereas an HEP person will only be concerned with emotions and the whole sphere that surrounds them. Like ADHD in HIP, HEP people can be hypersensitive and hypersensitive people can be HEP, but this is not always the case!

2. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIP – HEP – GIFTED – ZEBRA ?

With all these terms, it’s easy to get lost and not understand anything. So let’s go over it all again. Moreover, depending on the site, the limits are quite blurred. 

In the scientific community the term used is “High Potential“, in common language some use the terms “giftedness” or “zebra” for example. But all these terms refer to the same characteristics.

3. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIP? HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE HP ?

In HP we will not talk about “symptoms”. Indeed, the term “symptom” refers to a pathology, a disease. But being HP is not a disease but a characteristic of the person. Thus we will rather use the term “specificities” which seems to us more adapted. 

To find out if you are HP there are different tests that can be carried out with the help of professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists)

There are several signs that you may be gifted: 

  • People with HP are bored at school and may even drop out and fail at school. Maybe you yourself had the impression at school that the teacher was always repeating the same thing, that the lessons were too slow…
  • For HPI, the IQ is higher than average: around 130. Different professionals can assess the IQ via different scales such as the WISC (for children) or the WAIS (for adults)
  • Good memorization of lessons: Indeed, high potential people are able to memorize very easily the information on the subjects that interest them.
  • Emotional hypersensitivity 
  • Very curious, there is a need to know the “why” of things, to absorb knowledge regularly. 
  • It can be difficult to form relationships with others: these people may find themselves in a certain social isolation. People with HEP, on the other hand, are very good at developing social relationships but have great difficulty maintaining them over the long term. 
  • A high potential person is often a perfectionist who may therefore regularly think of himself as “rubbish”, because what he does is never good enough! 
  • People with HIP and HEP often feel out of step with others, which can cause great suffering.

Of course, as explained above, there are tests that can detect a High Potential. If you think that you yourself belong to this population, do not hesitate to go and see a trained professional !

4. WHAT STUDIES AND CAREERS FOR HIP ?

If you are an HP yourself, you may feel that you have a lot of difficulty entering the professional world and you are therefore wondering about the jobs that could suit you. 

I have some bad news… There is no such thing as a typical job for HP people. The main thing is that you find a career path that corresponds to your expectations, your desires, your interests and your needs. Often you will not find the right career path from the start. Perhaps you will need to experiment first before you find what suits you best. 

Often the jobs that are suitable for HP people are those that involve a lot of thinking throughout the day. In order to maintain a job in the long term, it must be able to respond to the intellectual/emotional curiosity of HP people, require analysis… 

Even if there is no typical job, it is important not to be in a repetitive job where there is nothing to learn. Being in this type of job can lead to boredom and bore out (mental and physical exhaustion due to boredom and lack of job satisfaction). 

In the context of HP, people are also susceptible to burn-out (emotional and mental exhaustion, due to a prolonged and important investment). Indeed, in constant need of learning and multi-tasking, they can also quickly find themselves under water from the many tasks required. In addition, the line manager can also take advantage of this, by giving the employee even more tasks. 

Despite the disconnect that HP people may feel, they have many strengths that they can apply in the professional world: 

  • the IT professions 
  • occupations involving human contact 
  • The sales staff 
  • art and creation
  • ..

As said before, being High Potential is not a disease or a pathology! You think, understand and see things differently. However, if this is a great suffering for you, do not hesitate to go and see a professional who will help you understand.

Do you need further information or have any specific questions ?

FAQ

Virtual reality (VR) is an innovative technology that enables patients to be exposed to immersive and controlled environments, facilitating the management of numerous psychological and psychiatric disorders. Its use in mental health offers several advantages:
  • Gradual and Controlled Exposure: VR allows patients to confront anxiety-inducing situations in a secure environment, gradually adjusting the intensity of stimuli to promote habituation and emotional regulation.
  • Realistic and Reproducible Environments: Unlike traditional techniques, VR provides immersive scenarios that can be consistently reproduced, ensuring a coherent and effective approach.
  • Increased Patient Engagement: The interactive and immersive nature of VR enhances treatment adherence and motivates patients to continue their therapy.
  • Personalized Treatment: Virtual environments can be adapted to meet the specific needs of each patient.
  • Versatile Applications: VR is used to treat anxiety disorders (phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorders), addictions, mood disorders, and even cognitive remediation.
The use of virtual reality in healthcare is not new! It has been studied and utilized for over 30 years in the medical and psychological fields. As early as the 1990s, researchers began exploring its potential for treating anxiety disorders, particularly phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder. Since then, numerous scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness in addressing various psychiatric, neurological, and cognitive disorders.
Today, VR is widely integrated into therapeutic and medical practices, with clinically validated protocols. It is used in hospitals, clinics, and psychologists' offices worldwide to provide patients with innovative, effective, and safe treatments.
To use virtual reality, one must immerse themselves in a virtual environment. There are several ways to achieve this.
In the past, the CAVE system (Cave Automatic Virtual Environment), a 3D setup consisting of multiple screen walls, was the primary method used. This system allowed users to be fully immersed in the virtual world, with their movements detected in real-time. However, this technology was expensive and not widely accessible.
Since around 2016, with the introduction of virtual reality headsets like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, VR has become much more accessible. These headsets immerse users in virtual reality through an enclosed screen that projects digital images. The user's head movements are tracked, enabling them to look around and interact with the environment as they would in the real world.
Today, VR headsets are wireless and standalone, providing maximum comfort and ease of use without requiring external sensors or cables.
A virtual environment is an immersive digital simulation created through virtual reality. It allows users to navigate in a 3D space that accurately replicates everyday situations or specific contexts.
In mental health, these environments are designed to help individuals gradually face certain situations, manage their emotions, or enhance cognitive skills. By interacting with these virtual spaces, patients can engage in meaningful experiences tailored to their needs.
You need to equip yourself with a virtual reality headset. Our software is compatible with Meta Quest 2, 3, and 3S. 
You will then only need an internet connection. 
Numerous studies confirm that virtual reality is safe to use. However, some restrictions are in place to protect users from potential adverse effects.
For instance, individuals with epilepsy and pregnant women should avoid this type of therapy.
As with any immersive technology, prolonged use may cause visual fatigue or mild discomfort, particularly for those sensitive to motion sickness. Therefore, it is recommended to take regular breaks and adjust session durations according to individual needs.
Virtual environments are designed to be gradual and controlled, minimizing the risk of excessive anxiety. Most users quickly adapt to immersion and experience the benefits of this innovative approach from the first sessions.
Anxiety disorders and phobias can be effectively treated using virtual reality. Patients are gradually and progressively exposed to anxiety-inducing situations in various environments while remaining in a safe space. This process helps develop a sense of habituation, ultimately reducing or even eliminating anxiety over time.
Behavioral and substance addictions can also be addressed through virtual reality. By incorporating synthetic stimuli into the environments that trigger craving responses, patients struggling with addiction can work on their cravings to diminish the urge to consume.
Additionally, multiple environments—such as bars, casinos, and social settings—enable cognitive work on dysfunctional beliefs associated with specific temptation scenarios.
Regarding eating disorders, virtual reality software helps target key etiological factors, such as body dysmorphia, allocentric lock (a tendency to focus on others rather than oneself), and food cravings.
Currently, our TERV (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) solutions include multiple software programs designed to address critical psychiatric, psychological, and neuropsychological determinants such as relaxation, cognitive stimulation, behavioral activation, and social skills training.
Reminiscence therapy is also a major therapeutic tool in treating depression. By allowing patients to relive sensations linked to past pleasurable activities (such as sports, driving, or traveling), virtual reality stimulates hypoactive brain areas, enhancing therapeutic success. VR serves as an excellent mediator for reigniting engagement in enjoyable activities.
Moreover, cognitive stimulation for elderly individuals is another area where virtual reality proves beneficial. By leveraging technology to make stimulation activities more engaging and accessible, patients and nursing home residents can improve executive functions and memory through specially designed applications.
Today, virtual reality in mental health care is advancing rapidly. Researchers, clinicians, and developers continue to explore new therapeutic targets to offer innovative and effective treatment solutions in the near future.
VR can be used by all healthcare professionals assisting patients with anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorders, addictions, or other psychological challenges.
It is particularly beneficial for psychologists, psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, specialized nurses, as well as psychomotor therapists, physiotherapists, dietitians, sophrologists, and hypnotherapists. With a wide range of immersive environments, VR enhances therapeutic approaches and provides innovative tools to improve patient care.
Healthcare providers incorporating virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) expand their range of treatment options. VRET is a well-established therapeutic technique with scientific validation from cognitive-behavioral therapy research.
  • Professional Differentiation: Integrating VR into practice allows therapists to stand out from traditional treatment options.
  • Scientific Validation: VRET is backed by extensive research, reinforcing its credibility as an effective treatment method.
  • Improved Patient Engagement: The interactive nature of VR fosters greater patient involvement in therapy.
  • Time-Saving: VR provides direct access to various exposure environments without needing external logistics.

One of the considerable advantages of virtual reality is that it is effective on a wide spectrum of populations. Existing data from the literature on the subject shows us that it is entirely possible to expose a wide age group to virtual reality, with real therapeutic benefits.

The studies attest, in fact, to excellent feasibility and significant results; particularly in adults, in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders and mood disorders.

The results are identical for adolescents with a significant added value concerning therapeutic engagement where virtual reality promotes adolescents' interest in their therapy.

Among elderly subjects, study results encourage the use of virtual reality with the aim of working on cognitive stimulation, on behavioral disorders but also on anxiety.

One of the major advantages of virtual reality is its effectiveness across a broad spectrum of the population. Existing literature on the subject shows that virtual reality can be used with individuals of various age groups, providing significant therapeutic benefits.
Studies confirm excellent feasibility and significant results, particularly among adults in the treatment of anxiety disorders (including school phobia), autism, addictions, eating disorders, neuropsychological disorders, psychotic disorders, and mood disorders.
The results are equally promising for adolescents, with a notable advantage in terms of therapeutic engagement, as virtual reality enhances their interest and participation in treatment.
For older adults, research supports the use of virtual reality to improve cognitive stimulation, behavioral disorders, and anxiety management.
However, people with epilepsy and pregnant individuals are not advised to undergo this type of therapy.
Yes, all our environments are grouped within a single application.
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