"It's-they're always there. I just usually control them better. I get overwhelmed and it's harder-" he stopped his ramble and sat down on the bed. His elbows went back to his knees and he knit his fingers together, hands clasping to keep from doing any of the fidgeting she had pointed out.

"It's part of the territory with gifteds. We like to be in control, we like perfection. We like to be able to explain things and quantify things, work through problems. I'm used to high stress with my job but I'm also used to being able to explain things and rationalize them. There's an excuse for behaviors and actions." He pressed his lips together again, physically stopping the ramble.