Positive Disintegration, Crises In Very Intelligent People
There are many types of seizures. Some fall on the side of the existential, in this strange but obsessive abyss in which some never stop wondering what the world, life and even themselves have. Kazimier Dabrowski, coined the term “positive disintegration” in the 60s to explain this psychological phenomenon so frequent in people with high intellectual capacities.
This concept is still interesting and illustrative. It’s as if the minds of these gifted teens and adults sometimes go through some sort of defragmentation. Spirits collapse (figuratively speaking) to reintegrate in another way after finding answers, finding vital meanings and explanations for their deepest doubts.
Dabrowski chose the definition of this phenomenon well, this kind of existential depression. Disintegration, because there are parts that eventually dissolve, beliefs, thought patterns, emotions, values that are no longer valid and are reformulated in another way. The mind is updating, so to speak. By developing and acquiring new potentials at the same time.
Hence a positive disintegration, because what is finally achieved is an advance in human development, which passes to another stage. In fact, this Polish psychiatrist, expert in personality psychology and high intellectual capacities, has defined up to 5 stages. Different phases that a person with a high IQ usually goes through.
Let’s find out more data.
Positive disintegration, evolution until the construction of the authentic self
Dabrowski’s theory of positive decay has been around since it was first formulated over six decades ago. Moreover, in the field of high capacities, it is a precious framework for understanding how the construction of the personality of these people evolves.
Thus, according to this approach, the mental development of a person with a high IQ goes through a series of very concrete transitions. These go upwards. In other words, there is an evolution, a gain both cognitively and emotionally. However, and here is the curious fact, every step forward starts with a crisis. From a time when that child, adolescent or adult experiences great suffering, bewilderment, anxiety and frustration.
These states almost always start from existential doubts. Those in which they question themselves by feeling different from others. These are times when they fall into states of introspection in which they reflect on why the world is as it is, why people act the way they do, the purpose of their future, the awareness of their mortality, etc.
Mendaglio and Tillier (2006) analyzed it in their work The Theory of Positive Disintegration and Dabrowski’s Giftedness . What they found in their research is that, on average, people with high abilities also experience high over-arousal. In other words, they have a great imagination. A tendency to feel emotions more intensely, they are also generally more impulsive.
All this makes these times of existential crisis often very problematic and requires a type of intervention and support to come out stronger. The most common is that at this time they stop being productive in class or at work and suffer from problems with their social relationships. But let’s discover the stages of development defined by Dabrowski.
1. Primary decay
This first level of development is in early childhood. Here, the child with high capacities suffers the first crisis. One in which instincts and egocentric behaviors mingle with the interest of what is in their immediate context. The desire to explore, discover, manipulate and learn will gradually mature sooner.
2. Disintegration at one level
At this point, the child or pre-adolescent needs to feel accepted in the group of his peers. However, he does not reach this connection and the first great existential crisis occurs.
In addition, there is the need to analyze the social values in which he grows up and which impact his life. He asks questions about people’s behavior. On the rules that govern society, on their role in this environment.
3. Spontaneous disintegration at several levels
Positive disintegration also occurs when the person suddenly feels dissatisfied with who they are and what they have accomplished up to that point.
This crisis usually occurs in early youth. When he is forced to reformulate objectives, to leave behind certain projects and ideas. He comes into conflict with himself, but manages to get out of it by taking new solutions.
4. Disintegration organized at several levels
The fourth stage in the personal development of this high IQ man or woman occurs when he realizes that, perhaps, he has spent a lot of time focusing on himself and his needs. Maybe it’s time to open up to others. To be more altruistic and to play a more productive role for the good of others. This is the time when more universal and higher values are assumed.
5. Positive disintegration and secondary integration
Responsibility, kindness, altruism… In this last step, the person begins to look at more abstract and higher principles. He has already focused on helping others, on contributing through his work or his efforts to be useful. From now on, he aspires to leave his mark on culture, to promote the progress of his society.
To conclude, there is something important about positive disintegration. This model contains a somewhat optimistic and sometimes even unrealistic outlook. Not everyone manages to “move forward” on these stages. It is not automatic. Many get stuck, mired in crises that lead to anxiety or depression.
It is therefore a priority that they benefit from professional support in these moments of doubts and personal crises. Only then can they achieve well-being.
Our thoughts Learn to change your thoughts when they become toxic, to take life lightly and change your destiny.
