Impostor syndrome: what it is, symptoms and treatments
Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2025 3:35 am
Have you ever found yourself thinking, “I’m a fake,” “I don’t deserve to be here,” or “I’m not smart enough to be here”?
If so, you’re hardly alone! Such thoughts are common and, when persistent, are often described as impostor syndrome (IS).
When someone has impostor syndrome, they experience repeated feelings or thoughts that they are incompetent or not good enough, despite evidence to the contrary.
These beliefs are often rooted in someone’s personal history and tend to manifest themselves at work, in academia, and in other high-pressure environments. If left unaddressed, they can prevent people from enjoying their successes and living life to their fullest potential.
In recent decades, the mental health field has paid more attention to impostor syndrome.
If you are struggling with feelings of unworthiness, know that although these feelings are often deep-rooted, they can be overcome.
What is impostor syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological disorder in which individuals doubt their own abilities and fear being exposed as frauds, despite clear evidence of their abilities. People affected hong kong phone number data by this syndrome often attribute their achievements to external factors, such as luck, help from others, or even divine intervention, rather than to their own effort or ability.
This results in feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and a constant fear of failure, which can lead to procrastination or overpreparation . In addition, these beliefs can be exacerbated by strict family pressures from childhood, contributing to a cycle of stress and self-devaluation.
Imposter syndrome can occur in any environment, especially competitive ones, and treatments can include therapy and mentoring to help develop a more realistic and healthy sense of self.
Some examples:
Employees who feel they don't deserve a raise or promotion despite years of service and success
Students who feel out of place among their classmates even though their grades and test scores are as good or better than their peers
Friends who feel unworthy of acceptance and fear being “found out”
Symptoms of impostor syndrome
The symptoms of impostor syndrome manifest themselves in a variety of ways, negatively impacting both the performance and mental health of individuals.
Ingratitude : People with impostor syndrome often have difficulty accepting praise or recognition, rejecting positive feedback, and doubting the intentions of others, which reflects a distorted self-image.
Fear of exposure : the fear of being judged or discovered as a fraud leads the individual to avoid situations of visibility and evaluation, preferring to remain discreet and avoiding sharing their concerns.
Desire to please everyone : the continuous effort to make a good impression and the constant need for approval make the individual submit to uncomfortable situations, increasing the level of anxiety and stress.
Self-sabotage : the belief in inevitable failure and high levels of anxiety promote self-sabotaging behaviors, where the person undermines their own achievements, often without realizing it.
Procrastination : characterized by putting off commitments and tasks, this procrastination is driven by paralyzing perfectionism, where fear of criticism or not meeting high expectations prevents effective action.
If so, you’re hardly alone! Such thoughts are common and, when persistent, are often described as impostor syndrome (IS).
When someone has impostor syndrome, they experience repeated feelings or thoughts that they are incompetent or not good enough, despite evidence to the contrary.
These beliefs are often rooted in someone’s personal history and tend to manifest themselves at work, in academia, and in other high-pressure environments. If left unaddressed, they can prevent people from enjoying their successes and living life to their fullest potential.
In recent decades, the mental health field has paid more attention to impostor syndrome.
If you are struggling with feelings of unworthiness, know that although these feelings are often deep-rooted, they can be overcome.
What is impostor syndrome?
Imposter syndrome is a psychological disorder in which individuals doubt their own abilities and fear being exposed as frauds, despite clear evidence of their abilities. People affected hong kong phone number data by this syndrome often attribute their achievements to external factors, such as luck, help from others, or even divine intervention, rather than to their own effort or ability.
This results in feelings of insecurity, low self-esteem, and a constant fear of failure, which can lead to procrastination or overpreparation . In addition, these beliefs can be exacerbated by strict family pressures from childhood, contributing to a cycle of stress and self-devaluation.
Imposter syndrome can occur in any environment, especially competitive ones, and treatments can include therapy and mentoring to help develop a more realistic and healthy sense of self.
Some examples:
Employees who feel they don't deserve a raise or promotion despite years of service and success
Students who feel out of place among their classmates even though their grades and test scores are as good or better than their peers
Friends who feel unworthy of acceptance and fear being “found out”
Symptoms of impostor syndrome
The symptoms of impostor syndrome manifest themselves in a variety of ways, negatively impacting both the performance and mental health of individuals.
Ingratitude : People with impostor syndrome often have difficulty accepting praise or recognition, rejecting positive feedback, and doubting the intentions of others, which reflects a distorted self-image.
Fear of exposure : the fear of being judged or discovered as a fraud leads the individual to avoid situations of visibility and evaluation, preferring to remain discreet and avoiding sharing their concerns.
Desire to please everyone : the continuous effort to make a good impression and the constant need for approval make the individual submit to uncomfortable situations, increasing the level of anxiety and stress.
Self-sabotage : the belief in inevitable failure and high levels of anxiety promote self-sabotaging behaviors, where the person undermines their own achievements, often without realizing it.
Procrastination : characterized by putting off commitments and tasks, this procrastination is driven by paralyzing perfectionism, where fear of criticism or not meeting high expectations prevents effective action.