What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Have you ever felt like you don’t deserve your achievements or have a fear of being exposed as a fraud?

This feeling is known as imposter syndrome. 

It affects people from all walks of life, from high-achieving women to people of color.

In this article, we’ll explore what imposter syndrome is, its causes, and ways to overcome it.

What Is Imposter Syndrome
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What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon characterized by the persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence of one’s competence. It is commonly experienced by high-achieving individuals, who doubt their abilities and feel like they are not deserving of their accomplishments.

Types of Imposter Syndrome

There are several types of imposter syndrome, according to research from psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes. These include:

  • The perfectionist – a person who sets extremely high standards for themselves and is often dissatisfied with their own work, feeling like they could always do better.
  • The superwoman/man – who feels the need to juggle multiple responsibilities flawlessly, resulting in feeling like a fraud when they are not able to do so.
  • The natural genius – a person who believes that their success is solely attributed to their natural talent, rather than hard work or effort.
  • The soloist – someone who feels like they have to accomplish everything themselves and does not ask for help, feeling incompetent when they cannot do so.

Characteristics of Imposter Syndrome

People with imposter syndrome often experience feelings of inadequacy and incompetence, despite evidence of their competence. 

They may feel like a fraud, have a fear of failure, and often have a difficult time accepting compliments or recognition for their achievements. 

Research has shown that imposter syndrome can affect everyone, but it is more common among women and people of color.

Causes of Imposter Syndrome

Impostor Phenomenon

The impostor phenomenon is a term coined by Pauline Rose Clance to describe the feelings of fraudulence experienced by high-achieving individuals.

This phenomenon is caused by a fear of failure and a belief that one’s accomplishments are solely attributed to external factors, rather than their own abilities.

Self-Doubt

Self-doubt is a common cause of imposter syndrome.

When people doubt their abilities, they often feel like they are not worthy of their accomplishments and fear being exposed as a fraud.

This can be caused by a lack of experience, negative feedback, or comparisons to others.

Accomplishment

Ironically, imposter syndrome can also be caused by achievement.

The more success an individual achieves, the more they may feel like they don’t deserve it or that it was just a fluke.

This can lead to a constant need to prove oneself, resulting in feelings of fraudulence.

Signs and Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome

Feeling Like an Imposter

One of the main signs of imposter syndrome is feeling like an imposter. This can manifest as a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud, even when there is evidence to the contrary. People with imposter syndrome often downplay their accomplishments and attribute their success to luck or external factors.

Inadequacy and Incompetence

People with imposter syndrome often feel inadequate and incompetent, even when they are highly skilled at something. They may have a fear of being judged or criticized, leading to a constant need to prove themselves.

High-Achieving Individuals

Imposter syndrome is particularly common among high-achieving individuals. These individuals may experience feelings of fraudulence despite their successes, leading to a constant need to prove themselves. They may also struggle to celebrate their achievements and often downplay their successes.

Signs and Symptoms of Imposter Syndrome

Coping with Imposter Syndrome

The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome is to acknowledge and accept that these feelings are normal and that many high-achievers experience them. It is also important to take a step back and evaluate your accomplishments objectively, focusing on evidence of your competence.

Ways to Overcome Imposter Syndrome

There are several effective ways to overcome imposter syndrome, including:

  • Talk to someone – sharing your feelings with someone else can be helpful in gaining perspective and gaining support.
  • Change your self-talk – focus on positive self-talk, rather than negative self-talk. Replace thoughts such as "I'm a fraud" with "I am competent."
  • Set realistic expectations – learn to set realistic expectations for yourself and accept that mistakes and failures are part of the learning process.
  • Ask for help – don't be afraid to ask for help when needed. This can help you to learn new skills and overcome challenges.

Experiences with Imposter Syndrome

Many successful people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point in their lives. For example, Maya Angelou once said: “I have written 11 books, but each time, I think, ‘uh oh, they’re going to find out now. I’ve run a game on everybody, and they’re going to find me out.'” Recognizing that successful people experience this phenomenon can be helpful in overcoming feelings of fraudulence.

In conclusion, imposter syndrome isn’t an official diagnosis, but it is a very real phenomenon that affects many high-achieving individuals. 

By acknowledging and accepting these feelings, focusing on evidence of your competence, and taking steps to overcome imposter syndrome, you can regain confidence in your abilities and overcome the fear of being exposed as a fraud to reach your personal goals.

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