Learn about imposter syndrome, its impacts, and strategies to overcome self-doubt.
Main, P (2023, May 10). What is Imposter Syndrome?. Retrieved from https://www.structural-learning.com/post/what-is-imposter-syndrome
Imposter Syndrome (also referred to as impostor phenomenon or fraud syndrome) is a psychological term used to describe the self-doubts that many people experience when they feel like an inadequate fraud, despite evidence proving otherwise.
It can manifest itself in the form of extreme fear and anxiety, leading individuals to doubt their accomplishments and second-guess their abilities. People with Imposter Syndrome tend to attribute their achievements to luck rather than skill or hard work.
Although Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance originally described imposter syndrome to be associated with a condition they found in professional women, studies show that women and men are equally affected by imposter syndrome.
The imposter phenomenon is not related to open-mindedness or caution, which leads to an accurate assessment of one’s capabilities in a complex scenario.
The imposter syndrome, on the other hand, involves feelings of inadequacy in one’s self despite having the desired competence. It is not related to assessing the situation but to assessing one’s self. Those suffering from imposter syndrome consider themselves more inadequate than others suffering from the same complex conditions.
Those suffering from Imposter syndrome feel that they are running out of time. They feel that they have been a part of an act and they lack the competence to continue the act any longer. Although, they have all the evidence to the opposite. In most cases, people develop these feelings after winning and overcoming obstacles all through their lives.
Many high-achieving women and men reach a point in their professional life where they fear that they can no longer uphold their successful careers.
This feeling of successful women and men that they can no longer remain at the top makes them feel shameful. They are more likely to prefer to remain silent and in isolation. They do not mostly realize that there are many other people like them who are suffering from imposter syndrome because no one is willing to talk about it in public.
Imposter Syndrome can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are related to low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It may be triggered by a fear of failure that is brought on by perfectionism and an inability to accept praise from others.
Imposter syndrome involves a cognitive malfunction. It makes people doubt their accomplishments and abilities. They do not trust high regard and mistrust their track record and history.
Although; imposter syndrome may reveal a person's mental health, it is not an authorized psychiatric disorder and it has multiple causes, including:
Imposter phenomenon may occur due to family patterns of a person. For example, people with impostor feelings may have overly critical parents or family members that pay extraordinary emphasis on achievement.
The imposter phenomenon may occur in individuals belonging to a group or social circle in which people’s worth seems to be associated with their achievement.
The imposter phenomenon may be triggered by the fear of being excluded or different from others (e.g. on the basis of race, gender, or socio-economic group) in a group or social circle.
People belonging to specific personality types are more at risk of internalizing pressures or feelings of failure, or doubt.
The impact of the imposter phenomenon makes it worth discussing. The feelings of inadequacy and anxiety may lead people with imposter feelings to avoid opportunities or challenges that would make them progress and shine.
People with impostor feelings may not be able to take full advantage of useful relationships at school or work. Their internal struggle demands a lot of energy that can make them frustrated, ashamed, or depressed.
If left unchecked, imposter syndrome may affect people’s work, relationships, as well as life satisfaction. These impacts can be even worse for those belonging to underrepresented groups and women.
Below are some of the indications that show people may feel like an impostor:
People with impostor syndrome tend to overwork to hide their fraudulent feelings and end up not effectively managing their time.
Those with impostor syndrome are more likely to try to gain as many diplomas or certifications as possible to showcase their skills to others, as they feel inadequate about themselves.
People With Impostorism tend to repeatedly check their work, every single detail, and exams a lot of times to make sure that everything is perfect. Although, they never feel things are perfect. They feel the pressure to perform the best in every situation, and when they don’t, they feel anxious and incompetent.
They try to get external validation for approval of their performance in academic or professional settings and feel competent.
People with impostor feelings constantly think about why someone else got a promotion, better qualifications, or more money than them. They want to look the best, at all times.
They do not feel confident to talk about their achievements. They are afraid of being considered as ignorant or fool.
They tend to feel pressure in academic or professional settings in extreme circumstances.
They tend to feel the worst or the best. They do everything wrong on an exam or everything right. For them, there is no concept of being average or moderate.
People with imposter syndrome tend to focus more on getting validation by doing things preferred by others.
Every individual doubts himself sometimes. So one may wonder how it feels like to be suffering from imposter syndrome. Below are the most common characteristics associated with imposter syndrome:
A lack of self-efficacy and self-worth leads to persistent feelings of anxiety. Success appears as a risky and unattainable goal, not a real thing that one may achieve through commitment and hard work.
They underestimate the value of their achievements, which leads to a persistent feeling of incompetency.
Individuals with impostor phenomenon attribute their success to external factors outside their control. When they get positive feedback in the form of promotion or praise, they will ref e to take the responsibility for their achievement. Rather, they would attribute the positive effect to good luck, coincidence, or their coworkers’ efforts.
A person with Imposter syndrome feels that even his best is not worthy. It motivates individuals to set unrealistic and extraordinarily high standards which makes them feel inadequate while accomplishing challenging goals.
Irrespective of what goals they set, Individuals with impostor phenomenon doubt their ability to achieve them. Despite putting in their maximum effort, they feel as if they are unable to fulfill expectations. They see expectations as a load they cannot carry despite being excited to fulfill them.
People with impostor syndrome push themselves to defeat their feeling of being incompetent. They run out of their energy soon. Work becomes more of a burden than a way to achieve success and they lose much of their interest in working.
Mental health professionals believe that through little effort, one may improve work performance and the mental health of individuals with imposter syndrome. Below are the 13 tips that may help individuals to overcome imposter syndrome:
Imposter feelings mostly occur due to irrational negative thinking. Therefore, firstly it is essential to admit that one feels like an imposter. A person may start his treatment of impostor syndrome by grounding themself in the present moment and making a mindful effort to observe their thinking without being judgmental. This process will bring someone in a clearer frame of mind and he would be able to identify, interrupt, and finally overcome his limiting thoughts that feed into his feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
If a person experiences moments of severe self-doubt driven by impostorism, he must try to put his feelings aside and focus on what a large body of evidence suggests about his everyday life. It is suggested to collect abundant evidence and examine each aspect that discredits or supports these beliefs. By simply looking at the relevant and concrete data and distinguishing facts from feelings, one may become better equipped to know if there is any accuracy to one’s thoughts or if these are incorrect. It will help a person find out what the best way is.
It is important to ensure that the fear of failure must not stop a person from learning. One may overcome imposter feelings by considering failure as a great opportunity to master new skills and grow.
Literature on Impostor Syndrome suggests that how a person thinks about himself may affect his behaviour. For the treatment of impostor syndrome, one must make effort to gain control of his thinking. They can do this by repeating the positive self-affirming statement in a loud voice, in their head, or writing it down –whichever way they feel would allow them to serve the purpose best.
A social comparison may mostly enhance feelings of insecurity as it will make a person focus on the qualities or things one thinks he lacks, such as a big car or a good job. It is better to look at others for inspiration. It would allow an individual to discover his natural talents and improve his feelings about himself.
Literature on Impostor Syndrome suggests that an effective way to fight imposter syndrome is to think about past successes and achievements. One must see how his strengths shaped him into what he is at the moment.
It is important to make a conscious effort to highlight achievements and resist the habit of dismissing or minimizing accomplishments. With time, this practice will enable a person to manage or get rid of his imposter feelings by changing his way of thinking about himself.
It is recommended to seek support from people who can provide encouragement and reassure someone with imposter-like feelings about his competence and abilities. After realizing that others feel this way too, people with impostor syndrome may feel normal about what they are feeling, and this helps them in the proper management of imposter syndrome and symptoms.
Within the realm of educational professionals, there exists a paradoxical phenomenon where highly successful people — teachers, in this instance — grapple with an irrational belief that they are undeserving of their achievements. This internal experience, known as impostor syndrome, often surfaces when educators ascend to senior leadership positions.
One study published in the Journal of Behavioral Science found that nearly 70% of individuals experience impostor feelings at some point in their career, illustrating its prevalence. Individuals with impostor syndrome tend to suffer from social anxiety disorder and heightened levels of anxiety, often stemming from negative self-talk and fear of being exposed as a fraud.
Consider, for instance, a highly competent teacher with an outstanding record of academic achievement and career success. Despite the clear evidence of their competence, they might constantly worry about failing their students and colleagues, indicating the complex, internalized nature of impostor syndrome.
Dr. Valerie Young, a leading expert on the subject, asserts, "Impostor syndrome is not a 'bad habit' to be broken, but a deeply ingrained part of one's self-identity that needs to be confronted and managed." A fascinating study suggests that cognitive-behavioral techniques can help individuals challenge these ingrained beliefs and foster healthier thought patterns, offering hope for those grappling with this invisible enemy.
It's good that unlike many other mental health disorders impostor syndrome is not something that cannot be changed. It appears that people’s everyday life experiences, family patterns, or specific roles they have to play make them more likely to consider themselves an impostor.
Still, past experiences must not be used to define anyone. Gaining knowledge about what triggers their feelings of imposter syndrome or overreaction, may help Individuals with the impostor phenomenon to react differently, and focus more on what they can control to start to enjoy their achievements.
Imposter syndrome is a type of psychological phenomenon that affects many individuals, particularly those who have achieved success in their careers or personal lives. It can be challenging to overcome, but understanding the root causes of imposter syndrome can help individuals manage their feelings of self-doubt and insecurity.
By recognizing the psychological phenomena at play and learning coping strategies, individuals can gain greater confidence in their abilities and celebrate their achievements without feeling like a fraud.
Imposter phenomenon can manifest in a variety of ways, and it's important to recognize the signs. As it has already been mentioned, some common signs include feeling like a fraud, downplaying accomplishments, and constantly seeking validation from others.
Other signs may include perfectionism, fear of failure, and a persistent feeling of inadequacy. By being aware of these signs, individuals can begin to recognize when they are experiencing imposter phenomenon and take steps to address it.
Imposter Syndrome (also referred to as impostor phenomenon or fraud syndrome) is a psychological term used to describe the self-doubts that many people experience when they feel like an inadequate fraud, despite evidence proving otherwise.
It can manifest itself in the form of extreme fear and anxiety, leading individuals to doubt their accomplishments and second-guess their abilities. People with Imposter Syndrome tend to attribute their achievements to luck rather than skill or hard work.
Although Suzanne Imes and Pauline Rose Clance originally described imposter syndrome to be associated with a condition they found in professional women, studies show that women and men are equally affected by imposter syndrome.
The imposter phenomenon is not related to open-mindedness or caution, which leads to an accurate assessment of one’s capabilities in a complex scenario.
The imposter syndrome, on the other hand, involves feelings of inadequacy in one’s self despite having the desired competence. It is not related to assessing the situation but to assessing one’s self. Those suffering from imposter syndrome consider themselves more inadequate than others suffering from the same complex conditions.
Those suffering from Imposter syndrome feel that they are running out of time. They feel that they have been a part of an act and they lack the competence to continue the act any longer. Although, they have all the evidence to the opposite. In most cases, people develop these feelings after winning and overcoming obstacles all through their lives.
Many high-achieving women and men reach a point in their professional life where they fear that they can no longer uphold their successful careers.
This feeling of successful women and men that they can no longer remain at the top makes them feel shameful. They are more likely to prefer to remain silent and in isolation. They do not mostly realize that there are many other people like them who are suffering from imposter syndrome because no one is willing to talk about it in public.
Imposter Syndrome can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which are related to low self-esteem and lack of confidence. It may be triggered by a fear of failure that is brought on by perfectionism and an inability to accept praise from others.
Imposter syndrome involves a cognitive malfunction. It makes people doubt their accomplishments and abilities. They do not trust high regard and mistrust their track record and history.
Although; imposter syndrome may reveal a person's mental health, it is not an authorized psychiatric disorder and it has multiple causes, including:
Imposter phenomenon may occur due to family patterns of a person. For example, people with impostor feelings may have overly critical parents or family members that pay extraordinary emphasis on achievement.
The imposter phenomenon may occur in individuals belonging to a group or social circle in which people’s worth seems to be associated with their achievement.
The imposter phenomenon may be triggered by the fear of being excluded or different from others (e.g. on the basis of race, gender, or socio-economic group) in a group or social circle.
People belonging to specific personality types are more at risk of internalizing pressures or feelings of failure, or doubt.
The impact of the imposter phenomenon makes it worth discussing. The feelings of inadequacy and anxiety may lead people with imposter feelings to avoid opportunities or challenges that would make them progress and shine.
People with impostor feelings may not be able to take full advantage of useful relationships at school or work. Their internal struggle demands a lot of energy that can make them frustrated, ashamed, or depressed.
If left unchecked, imposter syndrome may affect people’s work, relationships, as well as life satisfaction. These impacts can be even worse for those belonging to underrepresented groups and women.
Below are some of the indications that show people may feel like an impostor:
People with impostor syndrome tend to overwork to hide their fraudulent feelings and end up not effectively managing their time.
Those with impostor syndrome are more likely to try to gain as many diplomas or certifications as possible to showcase their skills to others, as they feel inadequate about themselves.
People With Impostorism tend to repeatedly check their work, every single detail, and exams a lot of times to make sure that everything is perfect. Although, they never feel things are perfect. They feel the pressure to perform the best in every situation, and when they don’t, they feel anxious and incompetent.
They try to get external validation for approval of their performance in academic or professional settings and feel competent.
People with impostor feelings constantly think about why someone else got a promotion, better qualifications, or more money than them. They want to look the best, at all times.
They do not feel confident to talk about their achievements. They are afraid of being considered as ignorant or fool.
They tend to feel pressure in academic or professional settings in extreme circumstances.
They tend to feel the worst or the best. They do everything wrong on an exam or everything right. For them, there is no concept of being average or moderate.
People with imposter syndrome tend to focus more on getting validation by doing things preferred by others.
Every individual doubts himself sometimes. So one may wonder how it feels like to be suffering from imposter syndrome. Below are the most common characteristics associated with imposter syndrome:
A lack of self-efficacy and self-worth leads to persistent feelings of anxiety. Success appears as a risky and unattainable goal, not a real thing that one may achieve through commitment and hard work.
They underestimate the value of their achievements, which leads to a persistent feeling of incompetency.
Individuals with impostor phenomenon attribute their success to external factors outside their control. When they get positive feedback in the form of promotion or praise, they will ref e to take the responsibility for their achievement. Rather, they would attribute the positive effect to good luck, coincidence, or their coworkers’ efforts.
A person with Imposter syndrome feels that even his best is not worthy. It motivates individuals to set unrealistic and extraordinarily high standards which makes them feel inadequate while accomplishing challenging goals.
Irrespective of what goals they set, Individuals with impostor phenomenon doubt their ability to achieve them. Despite putting in their maximum effort, they feel as if they are unable to fulfill expectations. They see expectations as a load they cannot carry despite being excited to fulfill them.
People with impostor syndrome push themselves to defeat their feeling of being incompetent. They run out of their energy soon. Work becomes more of a burden than a way to achieve success and they lose much of their interest in working.
Mental health professionals believe that through little effort, one may improve work performance and the mental health of individuals with imposter syndrome. Below are the 13 tips that may help individuals to overcome imposter syndrome:
Imposter feelings mostly occur due to irrational negative thinking. Therefore, firstly it is essential to admit that one feels like an imposter. A person may start his treatment of impostor syndrome by grounding themself in the present moment and making a mindful effort to observe their thinking without being judgmental. This process will bring someone in a clearer frame of mind and he would be able to identify, interrupt, and finally overcome his limiting thoughts that feed into his feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.
If a person experiences moments of severe self-doubt driven by impostorism, he must try to put his feelings aside and focus on what a large body of evidence suggests about his everyday life. It is suggested to collect abundant evidence and examine each aspect that discredits or supports these beliefs. By simply looking at the relevant and concrete data and distinguishing facts from feelings, one may become better equipped to know if there is any accuracy to one’s thoughts or if these are incorrect. It will help a person find out what the best way is.
It is important to ensure that the fear of failure must not stop a person from learning. One may overcome imposter feelings by considering failure as a great opportunity to master new skills and grow.
Literature on Impostor Syndrome suggests that how a person thinks about himself may affect his behaviour. For the treatment of impostor syndrome, one must make effort to gain control of his thinking. They can do this by repeating the positive self-affirming statement in a loud voice, in their head, or writing it down –whichever way they feel would allow them to serve the purpose best.
A social comparison may mostly enhance feelings of insecurity as it will make a person focus on the qualities or things one thinks he lacks, such as a big car or a good job. It is better to look at others for inspiration. It would allow an individual to discover his natural talents and improve his feelings about himself.
Literature on Impostor Syndrome suggests that an effective way to fight imposter syndrome is to think about past successes and achievements. One must see how his strengths shaped him into what he is at the moment.
It is important to make a conscious effort to highlight achievements and resist the habit of dismissing or minimizing accomplishments. With time, this practice will enable a person to manage or get rid of his imposter feelings by changing his way of thinking about himself.
It is recommended to seek support from people who can provide encouragement and reassure someone with imposter-like feelings about his competence and abilities. After realizing that others feel this way too, people with impostor syndrome may feel normal about what they are feeling, and this helps them in the proper management of imposter syndrome and symptoms.
Within the realm of educational professionals, there exists a paradoxical phenomenon where highly successful people — teachers, in this instance — grapple with an irrational belief that they are undeserving of their achievements. This internal experience, known as impostor syndrome, often surfaces when educators ascend to senior leadership positions.
One study published in the Journal of Behavioral Science found that nearly 70% of individuals experience impostor feelings at some point in their career, illustrating its prevalence. Individuals with impostor syndrome tend to suffer from social anxiety disorder and heightened levels of anxiety, often stemming from negative self-talk and fear of being exposed as a fraud.
Consider, for instance, a highly competent teacher with an outstanding record of academic achievement and career success. Despite the clear evidence of their competence, they might constantly worry about failing their students and colleagues, indicating the complex, internalized nature of impostor syndrome.
Dr. Valerie Young, a leading expert on the subject, asserts, "Impostor syndrome is not a 'bad habit' to be broken, but a deeply ingrained part of one's self-identity that needs to be confronted and managed." A fascinating study suggests that cognitive-behavioral techniques can help individuals challenge these ingrained beliefs and foster healthier thought patterns, offering hope for those grappling with this invisible enemy.
It's good that unlike many other mental health disorders impostor syndrome is not something that cannot be changed. It appears that people’s everyday life experiences, family patterns, or specific roles they have to play make them more likely to consider themselves an impostor.
Still, past experiences must not be used to define anyone. Gaining knowledge about what triggers their feelings of imposter syndrome or overreaction, may help Individuals with the impostor phenomenon to react differently, and focus more on what they can control to start to enjoy their achievements.
Imposter syndrome is a type of psychological phenomenon that affects many individuals, particularly those who have achieved success in their careers or personal lives. It can be challenging to overcome, but understanding the root causes of imposter syndrome can help individuals manage their feelings of self-doubt and insecurity.
By recognizing the psychological phenomena at play and learning coping strategies, individuals can gain greater confidence in their abilities and celebrate their achievements without feeling like a fraud.
Imposter phenomenon can manifest in a variety of ways, and it's important to recognize the signs. As it has already been mentioned, some common signs include feeling like a fraud, downplaying accomplishments, and constantly seeking validation from others.
Other signs may include perfectionism, fear of failure, and a persistent feeling of inadequacy. By being aware of these signs, individuals can begin to recognize when they are experiencing imposter phenomenon and take steps to address it.
